Skip to main content

A Groundbreaking Study Explores the Limitless Potential of Geothermal Energy in Texas"


image source : AP/ Business Wire
A groundbreaking study on the potential of geothermal energy in Texas has been published, drawing attention to the immense promise of this renewable source of energy. Geothermal energy, which harnesses heat from beneath the earth's surface, has been utilized for thousands of years for its therapeutic properties in hot springs. However, until now, the technology to extract this energy on a large scale has been restricted to areas near volcanoes.


Researchers from five Texas universities, along with the International Energy Agency and the University Lands office, have found that the new advancements in geothermal energy extraction make it feasible to extract this energy anywhere. The lead author of the study, Ken Wisian of the School of Geo-sciences at the University of Texas Austin, spoke about their findings in an interview.


Wisian cited three key factors that have made geothermal energy a more viable option: improvements in drilling speed and efficiency, advances in converting heat into electricity, and the growing need to decarbonize energy sources. Prototype tests of various drilling methods, including a limited version of fracking and radiating drilling patterns, are underway.


Wisian also addressed the concerns about induced seismicity, a potential side-effect of geothermal energy extraction similar to fracking. However, tests conducted by a startup company in the field showed no measurable seismicity, assuaging fears about the safety of the technology.


The minimum temperature required for geothermal energy extraction is 300 degrees Fahrenheit, which can be reached at a depth of 3 miles in Houston, and varying depths across the state. If Texas fully committed to geothermal energy, it has the potential to contribute a quarter of the state's energy grid, producing approximately 3 megawatts per well. With over 15,000 wells drilled annually at the height of the shale boom, the scaling potential of geothermal energy is immense.


In conclusion, geothermal energy holds a wealth of promise, offering a sustainable and safe alternative to traditional energy sources. With the latest advancements in extraction technology, the future of geothermal energy is brighter than ever before.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Pertamina Geothermal Energy,GDC and AGIL to develop 200 MW Suswa ,Narok Geothermal Field

Pertamina Geothermal Energy, GDC, and AGIL Agree to Accelerate Development of 2 Geothermal Fields in Kenya By: Robert Buluma Nairobi, Kenya, March 8, 2024 – PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy Tbk (PGE) has reached an agreement with Kenya's geothermal development companies, Geothermal Development Company Ltd. (GDC), and Africa Geothermal International Ltd. (AGIL), to expedite the development of geothermal fields in the African nation. Exploration of two geothermal fields in Kenya, developed by PGE along with its partners, is expected to commence in 2024. In high-level discussions held at GDC's headquarters in Nairobi on Wednesday (3/6/2024), PGE and GDC discussed the support from the Kenyan government in accelerating the geothermal field development project in Suswa, a volcanic area located in Narok, Kenya. GDC is a government-owned geothermal developer in Kenya. The PGE delegation, led by President Director Julfi Hadi and accompanied by PGE's Director of Exploration and Develop...
Post a Comment
Read more

Polands Geothermal Wells hits 5km depth Eyeing a 7Km Threshold

Geothermal Milestone Reached: Banska PGP-4 Well in Szaflary, Poland Hits 5-Kilometer Depth By : Robert Buluma In a significant development for geothermal energy enthusiasts, drilling operations at the Banska PGP-4 well in Szaflary, Poland have reached a depth of 5 kilometers, marking a major milestone in the project's progress towards its 7-kilometer target. Since its inception, the ambitious geothermal drilling project in Szaflary has been making steady strides. As of the end of 2023, the well has successfully reached a depth of 5000 meters, uncovering promising results along the way. Notably, the well has tapped into a sizable reservoir boasting temperatures of 120 °C. The drilling will persist until it reaches the targeted depth of 7000 meters, where another aquifer is anticipated. The entire drilling endeavor is slated for completion within the first quarter of 2024. Initiated in 2019, the plans to drill a 7-kilometer geothermal well in Podhale, Szaflary aimed at gathering cruc...
Post a Comment
Read more

Eavor Goes Deeper in Geretesried In Search For Geothermal

Revolutionizing Energy Production: The Birth of Eavor Technology in Geretesried By: Robert Buluma In the picturesque town of Geretesried, nestled in the heart of Germany, a groundbreaking project is underway that promises to reshape the future of energy production as we know it. Welcome to the world of Eavor Technology – where innovation meets sustainability in a bid to tackle the pressing challenges of climate change and energy security. Imagine a technology that harnesses the Earth's natural heat to generate both electricity and warmth without emitting harmful greenhouse gases. Sounds like science fiction? Well, it's not. Thanks to the relentless efforts of visionaries and engineers, the world's first Eavor loop for heat and electricity is currently under construction right here in Geretesried. At the forefront of this remarkable endeavor is the ambitious drilling project that has reached an astonishing depth of 7000 meters beneath the Earth's surface. Achieving such ...
Post a Comment
Read more