Geothermal Gold?

A scientist in Germany is exploring the potential for a possible solution to the industrial world’s energy conundrum.  Wulf Brandt, of the National Research Centre of Geosciences in Potsdam, has dug a hole near Berlin to test the viability of geothermal energy as a power supply.  This is not exactly a new idea; in fact countries like Iceland have been using geothermal energy for years.  But nations in geologically passive areas have been left out of the loop.  In such areas geothermal energy lies deep within the earth.  At Wulf Brandt’s site, a place called Gross Schönebeck, the scientist had to dig 4.4km to reach it.  The extraction requires two holes: cold water is pumped down one, and hot water emerges from the other.  The cold water must be pumped at a fast flow rate: around 75 cubic meters per hour.  It is not yet clear if this rate can be sustained over the long term.  If so, then geothermal energy may become a compelling option for the world’s energy woes.

Click here for the Economist’s report on Mr. Brandt’s work