Geothermal Energy is Heating Up!

A few days ago, we published a post on residential geothermal systems.  Geothermal energy is drawn from heat underground (usually steam) and can be used to heat and cool the interior of homes and buildings, as well as to heat water for tanks, pools and spas.

Did you know that the United States leads the world in the amount of electricity generated by geothermal?  The Geothermal Energy Association – a trade group in Washington, D.C. – notes that the increase in geothermal capacity between 2005 and 2009 was more than six-fold!  Given the tremendous potential of geothermal energy, the U.S. Department of Energy has offered to help build a 22-megawatt (MW) geothermal power plant near Vale, CO, with a loan guarantee commitment of $102 million.

Geothermal energy rises from the earth

Here in Central Oregon, several resorts rely on geothermal energy to defray energy costs and green their operations.  Kah-Nee-Ta High Desert Resort and Casino draws on hot springs (128 degree ground water) to heat its swimming pools.  The Seventh Mountain Resort near Mt. Bachelor has a complex, but efficient, geothermal heat pump system that regulates temperatures of guest rooms, as well as potable water and swimming pools.  Since converting to geothermal, the resort has saved a significant portion of its energy operating costs.

About 2 hours south of Bend, Oregon geothermal resources are particularly abundant!  The City of Klamath Falls uses geothermal to warm sidewalks and roadways to keep ice and snow clear during the winter.  Oregon Institute of Technology (OIT), the local hospital, a number of Klamath Falls schools, and about 600 homes in the area use geothermal heating systems, as well.

Despite the significant amount of geothermal energy being tapped here in Oregon, estimates are that only 1.4% of the state’s geothermal energy resources are used.  The reason – people don’t know about it.  And, its not a visible type of renewable energy like solar or wind.  But at the same time, the cost of a geothermal system is comparable to installing solar panels.

Hopefully, raising awareness will convince more people and businesses to consider geothermal energy.

What do you think about geothermal?  Know about it?  Consider it as an alternative to burning fossil fuels?