NATURE
Scientists reveal the true potential of superhot rock geothermal energy in the fight against climate change
The concepT has been around for years, an always-accessible, clean, carbon-free renewable energy extracted from the earth. But new research has found that just 1 percent of the U.S.’ potential for superhot rock geothermal energy could provide the equivalent of 21 billion barrels of oil, or enough energy to power New York City 687 times.
According to scientists, we’re closer than ever to the commercialization of superhot rock geothermal energy, and researchers at the Clean Air Task Force (CATF) and the University of Twente in the Netherlands have now pin-pointed how much and exactly where it can be extracted.
They identified potential across approximately 20 percent of land in the U.S.—more than 750,000 square miles—at depths below around 7.8 miles. The west coast of the U.S. has the greatest prospects, with focus in particular at sites in Oregon and California. Scientists say that with a concerted focus on deep drilling research and technology innovation, the U.S. should be able to access significant amounts of energy.
“While this modeling is preliminary, our findings suggest an enormous opportunity to unlock vast amounts of clean energy beneath our feet,” Terra Rogers, director of Superhot Rock Energy at CATF, said. “Tapping into just 1 percent of the world’s superhot rock energy potential could generate 63 ter-awatts of clean firm power, or enough to meet global electricity demand in 2021 nearly eight times over.
“Dozens of wells across the globe have reached superhot conditions, and with the right technical and commercial advances, we could see early commercial-scale plants in years, not decades. Energy security backed by always-available, zero-carbon energy isn’t a far-off dream.”
Superhot rock geothermal is a poten
