Posts Tagged ‘egs’

Geothermal Energy Systems

Monday, July 7th, 2008

Geothermal energy offers a number of advantages for energy production – small emissions, good sustainability, unaffected by changing weather conditions, can work continuously, price competitive, offers a degree of scalability.

There are several engineering considerations – corrosive fluids, low temperature, emissions. We find environmental concerns as well as advantages. The sites can cool down over time. Enhanced technology can be used in the future.

“Non-electric generating capacity of geothermal energy is estimated at more than 100 GW (gigawatts of thermal power) and is used commercially in over 70 countries.”

Estimates of exploitable worldwide geothermal energy resources vary considerably. Theoretical potential is huge. Drilling at depths of over 10 km is possible – ref. the petroleum industry.

(Wikipedia, The Economist)

Norway:   http://www.cprm.gov.br/33IGC/1344366.html

http://www.rockenergy.no/ Norwegian company starting up.

In Sweden there are now about 275000 homes with geothermal heating, in Norway the number is about 18000. Drilling distance is about 4-5000 m depth. Many complexities: hot wet rock, hot dry rock

2009: A new institute for geothermal energy is being established at the university in Bergen, Norway.

2009: Interest in developing this industrially in Norway is awakening. Several companies are starting work in the field, including finding industrial partners for projects.