In a pioneering effort to harness geothermal energy in unconventional locations, Cornell University is pushing the boundaries of sustainable energy. Their project, Earth Source Heat, aims to tap into the Earth’s warmth, potentially setting a precedent for expanding geothermal energy across regions not typically associated with such resources.
Located at Cornell’s sprawling 2,300-acre campus in Ithaca, New York, the initiative could provide a fossil fuel-free heating alternative as the university strives for carbon neutrality by 2035. Wayne Bezner Kerr, the project manager, emphasized, “We are developing the tools to do geothermal where the people are, not making people go out to where the rocks are hot.”
If successful, this model could serve as a guide for implementing geothermal heating in the Northeast United States, a region traditionally reliant on conventional energy sources. This initiative diverges from standard geothermal systems, which typically depend on naturally heated underground water reservoirs, primarily found in the western United States.
Cornell’s approach utilizes enhanced geothermal systems (EGS), which involve drilling into hot, hard rock, creating fractures, and circulating water through them to extract heat. This technique borrows from oil and gas industry practices but uses lower pressures and avoids harmful substances.
Geothermal’s Untapped Potential
The United States is a leader in geothermal capacity, with about 3.7 gigawatts installed. Despite this, geothermal remains a minor player, contributing just 0.4% of the country’s total utility-scale electricity in 2023.
However, the potential is significant. A 2022 analysis suggests geothermal capacity could reach 90 gigawatts by 2050, largely due to enhanced geothermal systems.
In Utah, a project by Fervo Energy, known as Cape Station, is under construction and aims to add 500 megawatts to the grid by 2028. This would power approximately 350,000 homes annually. Fervo previously completed a pilot project in Nevada, supporting Google’s data centers.
Political Support for Geothermal Energy
Despite political shifts, geothermal energy has managed to maintain bipartisan support. The Department of Energy (DOE) recently launched a 15-state initiative to boost geothermal deployment. Additionally, $171.5 million in funding was announced for enhanced geothermal projects.
Former President Donald Trump, despite rolling back some clean energy initiatives, preserved incentives for geothermal. “You look at the policies of President Trump and the policies of President Biden, there’s not a lot of overlap in their policies, but geothermal is in that overlap,” said Drew Nelson of Project InnerSpace. “No matter your political persuasions, there’s a realization that we need more of it,” he told DW.
Beyond Electricity Generation
Cornell’s Earth Source Heat project focuses on using geothermal energy to heat buildings directly. Wayne Bezner Kerr highlighted the efficiency of using geothermal resources for direct heating rather than converting it to electricity first.
In 2022, Cornell drilled an exploratory borehole with DOE support, although the project has temporarily stalled. Kerr remains optimistic about securing new funding to demonstrate reliable heat production over time.
Community Model for Geothermal Energy
In Hinesburg, Vermont, a geothermal heat pump system is being integrated into a mixed-income housing development. This model, which centralizes heating and cooling, addresses the high upfront costs associated with individual geothermal systems. By shifting costs to utilities, geothermal becomes more accessible for affordable housing.
Drew Nelson noted that as more geothermal projects are developed, initial costs could decrease, making the technology more viable. “The more projects you do, the more that risk can be understood and quantified, and the more the cost is going to come down,” he said.
Edited by: Tamsin Walker
Original Story at www.dw.com