9 votes

Geothermal power in the North Bay

2 comments

  1. skybrian
    Link
    From the blog post:

    From the blog post:

    [The Geysers] is the world’s largest geothermal field, producing more than 700 megawatts.

    It accounts for 20% of California’s renewable energy.

    5 votes
  2. Englerdy
    Link
    This reminded me of recent work I've read about to create geothermal wells by injecting water into sites where there wasn't previously deep ground water (called Enhanced Geothermal). I didn't know...

    This reminded me of recent work I've read about to create geothermal wells by injecting water into sites where there wasn't previously deep ground water (called Enhanced Geothermal). I didn't know there were sites that regenerated their wells, let alone with sewage. So little earthquakes aside that's pretty neat! Also makes me wonder if enhanced geothermal is going to face tremors as an issue at scale. I know at one point it was a contentious issue if fracking caused earthquakes, so I'd be surprised if that's not also a concern for enhanced geothermal. Still, I suppose I'd take small earthquakes from enhanced geothermal over those from petroleum extraction any day.

    1 vote