One source of alternative energy the world is not really aware of is the geothermal one: large quantities of hot water, whose energy can be turned into electricity – much like underground jacuzzis.
Speaking of underground jacuzzis, Nevada can brag about having the largest number in the U.S.: 65, followed by California with 30 and Utah with 12. So far, Nevada has 21 geothermal plants functioning to a capacity of 441.8 megawatts, according to a report of the Geothermal Energy Association.
With the rest of the plants under construction, Nevada’s geothermal future looks pretty shiny: another 26 potential sites have been discovered. How about that! This is very important for the state, because it means it could sustain itself purely out of water: for example, Gradient Resources Colado’s plant will almost double the current capacity of the state by making an approximate 350 megawatts of output.
Apparently, the total number of states that could produce geothermal energy is 15, but so far the state of Nevada seems to be the most gifted! At the end of 2010, the U.S. measured a 3,102 megawatts capacity. Now who would like a bath in the Jacuzzi? …
Great Point Terry! And many other countries are already plugging into this great renewable resource. So far, the United States leads the world in the amount of potential energy available from the sustainable resource, with Japan following close behind.
The advantages to using geothermal energy are numerous. We can only hope that the word gets spread enough times that people who have the power to implament it’s potential for everyone take heed and use this enormous resource for everyone.
Home owners are showing a new interest in geothermal energy for their heating and air systems after the 2009 bill passed which allowed them a tax credit after installing a unit for their home. Many people put down the geothermal idea for heating and cooling due to the upfront cost. But to me, the price is worth every cent! No longer having higher electric bills is a great incentive let alone the fact that it’s a cleaner and sustainable source of energy. Not having to worry about the power going out because you are using geothermal energy to run your house is a good thing!
A couple of links to look at if you’re interested in going green through geothermal air and heating are: http://www.egggeothermal.com and http://www.eggsystems.com Both give great ideas and information on how to better equip your home with a renewable, sustatinable resource.
“Apparently, the total number of states that could produce geothermal energy is 15”
A small correction, if you don’t mind.
The total number of states that could produce geothermal energy is 50.
The cheapest, most potent and greenest of all energy sources is also the Rodney Dangerfield of renewables.
The state with the most accessible of all geothermal power, Alaska, was still getting all its geothermally generated electricity from a shallow, very low temperature spring at Chena Spa. The Valhalla of geothermal, Iceland, has also used such a resource at the isolated hamlet of Husavik. Australia pioneered in such an effort in Queensland and then forgot for a very long time in the quixotic quest for EGS.
I mean no criticism and thank you for much for the posting. Any effort to push back the darkness a bit is most welcome to me.
Best, Terry