Break through in geothermal drilling.

[kgun]

Read more ...

[cw1865]

Geothermal power - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

That's huge, looks like that would eliminate a significant percentage of the upfront costs associated with geothermal energy

"Geothermal power requires no fuel, and is therefore immune to fuel cost fluctuations, but capital costs tend to be high. Drilling accounts for over half the costs, and exploration of deep resources entails significant risks."

If this process results in drilling costs to be reduced to 10% of what they used to be we should see a surge in this application; the production of a KwH is well within range of fossil fuels.

[kgun]

As far as I understand they will start drilling under our capital, Oslo. A private enterprise is already involved: bkk.no: Private

Cite from the article in your link:

"Geothermal power is highly scalable: a large geothermal plant can power entire cities while a smaller power plant can supply a rural village.

I just talked with my son on the subject, and he told that that should be the most cost effective form since we live on a (fire globe - ball. Unsure of the English term)

Google translate: Ild kule = fire ball

As far as I understand, water will be heated and transported to the surface.

You may find this

Statoil: Carbon Capture

related story. As far as I know Statoil is involved in a portfolio of energy projects.

Also related: Google fastflip: geothermal

<off topic>
In addition there is enourmous opportunities in CO2. I saw a very interesting program on natgeotv.com international on terraforming mars.

Forresting is the key. Trees growing in Mexico can be planted on mars and make an atmosphere where humans can live. With todays technology it is estimated to take 150 000 years. With 2100 thechnology it can take considerably less time.

When will we start to look at CO2 as an resource instead of pollution? The most obvious technology to transform CO2 to O2 is so simple, that we are not concerned about it. Taking care of the Rain Forrest (growing trees) on land and stimulate the Oceans carbon cycle in the correct direction.
</off topic>

[cw1865]

The excellent thing about geothermal is that it actually DOES enjoy the inherent advantage of not having to move the fuel to the power station. You still have to get to the energy though, but that energy is EVERYWHERE.

[kgun]

You still have to get to the energy though, but that energy is EVERYWHERE.

Good point and it is clean.

[morestar]

Well this is great but the greater part will be when all corporations adopt this new electrical technology. Strange though eh? Drilling through stone with electrical pulses?

How far back to they have to stand from the pulses? I know very little about drilling for thermal energy but I do know there is a chap that lives in Hamilton who has his house heated by earth thermal energy and once it's all setup his heating is free.