“Hot Rocks” vs. Geothermal Energy
Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.
When you saw the title “hot rocks” vs. Geothermal energy, did you think I was going to compare a music rock group or a hot rock massage to geothermal energy?
Truth be told, I probably know more about geothermal energy than I do the Rolling Stones “Hot Rocks” concert, or for that matter giving hot rock massages.
I do love those hot rock massages, tho.
I am no engineer or geologist for sure! I’m just fascinated with and very interested in any way to get the energy out of the ground!
Let me be right up front and tell you that I am in favor of all energy sources we have in the U.S. Especially troubling to me is the fact that our “smart folks” in Washington D.C. in Congress – and sometimes in the White House – have been dragging their hells for years and years. Special interest groups you think?
So, when I see an article such as the one below, it catches my eye and I read further! The article referred to here by E&E Greenwire is very enlightening as well.
Fracking and a Geothermal Energy Revolution
by Mark Green August 7, 2012
Projects are advancing that use hydraulic fracturing to crack “hot rocks” thousands of feet below the earth’s surface and turn them into geothermal energy-producing zones. Some say it could start a revolution in electricity generation.
Certainly, this map from the Energy Department’s National Renewals Lab, posted on the EnerGeo Politics blog, suggests there’s lots of hot-rock energy beneath the United States – especially in the West. (Check out the map mentioned above!)
The blog highlights one geothermal fracking venture – linking to this article by E&E Greenwire that describes how highly pressurized water can fracture hot rocks, through which water later can be pumped, heated and reclaimed for electricity generation:
“AltaRock will inject 24 million gallons of water at roughly 46 degrees Fahrenheit into these hot rocks to build a large network of small cracks. If all goes according to plan, the company will be able to circulate water through the rock and suck it out of newly drilled wells, scalding hot and ready for use in an eventual power plant.”
Even though it’s geothermal energy, this version of hydraulic fracturing has opponents – who sound and act like those who oppose fracking to develop clean-burning natural gas. In Oregon, where AltaRock plans operations, some are complaining despite a wealth of field experience that shows fracking is safe. E&E quotes Linda Christian, the Bureau of Land Management project manager:
“It perplexes me. No matter how much information you give people, if their minds are made up, their minds are made up.”
A different kind of fracking, but the same kind of fracking opposition.
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Visit the site with this article here.
Geothermal energy is a clean and renewable source of energy that refers to heat found in Earth’s core. The geothermal energy is basically a form of thermal energy that has its origin in radioactive decay of various minerals inside the Earth’s core. Thus, the expression “hot rocks”.
Because Earth’s heat is being constantly replenished, geothermal energy is a part of renewable energy sources. There is more than enough geothermal energy inside the Earth’s core to satisfy the entire global energy demand.
Geothermal energy is not 100% emission free; however, compared to burning fossil fuels, it is negligible.
Now, on the other hand, if you would just love to have hot rock massages on a regular basis and you could use some extra $$$$$, click below to join me blogging.
Please leave comments on your thoughts about geothermal energy or “hot rocks” massage. I think it is exciting that new ways are being tried and even supported by the Administration! We need it!
Bless you,
Bobbi Miller
The Network Nanee