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Geothermal Energy, Past and Future

A Clean Source of Power Waiting to be Tapped in America

Sep 3, 2008

Geothermal energy was used by humans more than 10,000 years ago. Today In America, Alaska is at the forefront of the movement to discover its electricity potential.

Geothermal power from as deep as 10 miles below the earth’s surface may some day provide the answer to the dwindling supply of oil. Projects already underway in states such as Alaska may eventually supply 20 t0 25 percent of the United States' energy needs.

Geothermal Energy History

Geothermal energy was used by the Paleo-Indians more than 10,000 years ago when the springs served as a source of warmth and cleansing, cooking and the use of its minerals as a source of healing. Native Americans have a history with every major hot spring in the U.S.

As early as the 1800s, new settlers in America discovered the springs and began to putting them to commercial use. After the city of Hot Springs, Arkansas was founded, a woman named Asa Thompson charged one dollar each for the use three spring-fed baths in a wooden tub which is claimed to be the first commercial use of geothermal energy. From then on, geothermal energy was used for spas at resorts which were like those used in Europe. By 1900, hot spring water was being piped into homes in Klamath Falls, Oregon.

Geothermal Energy Development

Geothermal energy's first large-scale commercial electric-generating plant began operating in 1960 with the first turbines produced 11 megawatts of net power. In 1970, the Geothermal Resource Council was formed to encourage further development of geothermal energy. Soon afterwards the Geothermal Steam Act was enacted giving the Secretary of the Interior the authority to lease public lands and other federal lands for geothermal exploration and development. Other organizations such as the Geothermal Energy Association and the National Science Foundation began to work toward developing geothermal energy technology.

Geothermal Energy Cooperative Efforts

Geothermal energy advocates have working groups in a number of U.S. States, including Alaska, Nevada, Idaho, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington. These groups identify barriers to geothermal development in their states and try to arrive at mutually beneficial solutions.

Alaska in particular is funding the exploration of its largest volcanoes in hopes of utilizing these as a source of geothermal energy. It is thought that these volcanoes and hot springs can supply 25 percent of the states energy needs. The first volcano to be tapped is the 3.4-km tall snowcapped Mount Spurr, followed by exploring the 1.3 km tall Augustine stratovolcano near Anchorage.

Geothermal Energy Challenges

Geothermal energy scientists face many challenges. As in Alaska, the heat sources lie deep inside the volcanoes with many thick layers of dirt over them which makes them difficult to tap. Novel designs will have to be created in order to reach the source of the power. However there are already places, such as the resort at Chena Hot Springs in Alaska, which is entirely powered by hot springs.

As America searches for ways to become less dependent upon foreign oil, more money and research is being put into utilizing the sources of geothermal energy. It is only a matter of time before electricity will be supplied by this green and natural source of energy to combat the high price of imported oil and climate change.

Sources:

Geothermal Energy Association. State Installed Geothermal Capacity Data.

U.S. Department of Energy Geothermal Technologies Program

The copyright of the article Geothermal Energy, Past and Future in Hydrogeology is owned by Martha R. Gore. Permission to republish Geothermal Energy, Past and Future in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.