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Geothermal takes a technological step forward

Twin Cities.com -- GRANTS PASS, Ore.—Geothermal energy developers working on the flanks of an ancient Oregon volcano say they have taken an important technological step toward expanding geothermal energy from a small niche into a potential major source of homegrown power, but more work needs to be done.

AltaRock Energy, Inc., of Seattle, says the data is still being analyzed, but they are confident they have created three geothermal reservoirs from a single well where none existed before. The breakthrough solves two problems holding back the next level of geothermal development, known as Enhanced Geothermal Systems, or EGS: creating reservoirs big enough for commercial production in places they don't occur naturally, and holding down costs.

The U.S. Department of Energy, which is covering half the $43.8 m

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Submitted Jan 14, 2013 By: bar1035

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six_ball_man Champion Author Rochester Posts:8,677 Points:1,418,680 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Jan 23, 2013 11:19:07 AM Ignore six_ball_man Report Abuse Why we haven't been using what has ALWAYS been available to us is baffling to me. Dig down a couple feet and it is a constant 55º. Free heat in the winter and cooling in the summer, just sitting there waiting to be tapped. Of course...no oil companies would be enrichened by the use of such...[shrug]
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,818 Points:1,636,245 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jan 16, 2013 11:10:12 PM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse we need to think outside the box more often.
otherdave Champion Author Indiana Posts:3,530 Points:1,295,885 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jan 15, 2013 9:44:01 AM Ignore otherdave Report Abuse ok
remay Champion Author Houston Posts:7,078 Points:2,143,215 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Jan 15, 2013 5:50:33 AM Ignore remay Report Abuse Another alternative energy source, but difficult to implement...
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:33,579 Points:2,372,235 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Jan 15, 2013 3:02:22 AM Ignore tomok Report Abuse Geothermal takes a technological step forward? Pump in cold water to crack the volcanic rock and open up fissures. Use ground up plastic bottles to seal the cracks and form underground reservoirs large enough to produce enough hot water so steam can be produced to generate electricity. The DOE is covering half the cost of the $43.8 million cost or $22 million of taxpayer money?. They tested Newberry Crater last year drilling test holes and now they are back to see if this venture will work. They have tested the slopes of Mt Hood also and did not find enough hot rock or water to be worthwhile. Unless it is a 'natural hot water' source with enough hot water, don't expect too much from this project. Whatever the size or shape of the vehicle, vehicle manufactures Produce and the population ‘Drives’ vehicles with high MPG, are very safe, reliable, have a ‘reasonable’ cost and a good ‘value’ for the money. The price of fuel at the pump is too high! XII/XXII/MMXII! - The Day After......
Blossomize Sophomore Author Oregon Posts:171 Points:22,310 Joined:Nov 2012	Message Posted: Jan 15, 2013 1:46:04 AM Ignore Blossomize Report Abuse loved the info. TY
KrsnaDragon Champion Author Montreal Posts:2,543 Points:558,145 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Jan 15, 2013 12:12:47 AM Ignore KrsnaDragon Report Abuse Interesting article.
bonzoonfmb Champion Author Florida Posts:1,817 Points:664,160 Joined:Feb 2010	Message Posted: Jan 15, 2013 12:00:13 AM Ignore bonzoonfmb Report Abuse Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately I don't have a volcano in my back yard.
granitestater Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:8,975 Points:1,457,475 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jan 14, 2013 11:59:53 PM Ignore granitestater Report Abuse The problem with any geothermal source is that it is nowhere near the population that would use the energy gathered from its collection.
VanIsleLes All-Star Author British Columbia Posts:898 Points:294,545 Joined:Jun 2012	Message Posted: Jan 14, 2013 11:41:26 PM Ignore VanIsleLes Report Abuse Hmm
unicornpmb Champion Author Buffalo Posts:8,626 Points:1,656,240 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jan 14, 2013 11:30:32 PM Ignore unicornpmb Report Abuse Is it a well or a money pit?
snky2k Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:1,523 Points:329,840 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Jan 14, 2013 11:30:32 PM Ignore snky2k Report Abuse Look at the top of this page. Does it say this is a geothermal discussion page or a gas prices discussion page? Sheesh...
heartbroken2010 Champion Author Ottawa Posts:4,480 Points:924,260 Joined:Aug 2010	Message Posted: Jan 14, 2013 11:29:32 PM Ignore heartbroken2010 Report Abuse Interesting.
craigsf38 Champion Author Rochester Posts:5,848 Points:1,536,980 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jan 14, 2013 11:27:41 PM Ignore craigsf38 Report Abuse Ok
NAVYHM All-Star Author Cleveland Posts:761 Points:1,405,205 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Jan 14, 2013 11:27:26 PM Ignore NAVYHM Report Abuse STEP CAREFULLY...
Scoutca All-Star Author Orange County Posts:525 Points:1,604,110 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jan 14, 2013 11:27:17 PM Ignore Scoutca Report Abuse Good Luck .... new discoveries could lead to better utilization of the energy available to provide clean inexpensive power over some of the older more expensive systems.... Who knows???
Bigwaynef Champion Author South Carolina Posts:11,673 Points:2,108,435 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Jan 14, 2013 11:26:57 PM Ignore Bigwaynef Report Abuse They're going to kick ya right where it hurts...
Zonk Champion Author Michigan Posts:6,616 Points:2,129,490 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Jan 14, 2013 11:25:00 PM Ignore Zonk Report Abuse The taxpayers will foot the entire bill before to long.
RAKARWOWSKI Champion Author Chicago Posts:4,135 Points:847,750 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Jan 14, 2013 11:24:35 PM Ignore RAKARWOWSKI Report Abuse ok.
Delight777 Sophomore Author Cleveland Posts:228 Points:380,645 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Jan 14, 2013 11:24:17 PM Ignore Delight777 Report Abuse Cool!
mfeldstein Champion Author Ottawa Posts:8,296 Points:1,955,255 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Jan 14, 2013 11:23:03 PM Ignore mfeldstein Report Abuse Old article.
crreed1 Champion Author West Virginia Posts:2,100 Points:2,550,715 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Jan 14, 2013 11:22:22 PM Ignore crreed1 Report Abuse taxpayers are paying for it
tedjm1 Champion Author New York Posts:5,609 Points:800,300 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Jan 14, 2013 11:21:15 PM Ignore tedjm1 Report Abuse Sounds okay. HOPE THEY HAVE NOT WENT TO FAST & SKIPPED SOMETHING.
StrangeLuv Champion Author Kansas City Posts:3,815 Points:925,925 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jan 14, 2013 11:18:49 PM Ignore StrangeLuv Report Abuse Good.
uglytom Champion Author Florida Posts:7,464 Points:1,542,015 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Jan 14, 2013 11:18:47 PM Ignore uglytom Report Abuse Great!
boatfloyd Champion Author Jacksonville Posts:1,858 Points:415,675 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Jan 14, 2013 11:17:40 PM Ignore boatfloyd Report Abuse More Energy.
SteelPenny Champion Author Dallas Posts:31,286 Points:2,633,465 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jan 14, 2013 11:17:39 PM Ignore SteelPenny Report Abuse Sure, and I just made my 2nd million dollars yesterday.
pgerassi Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:11,036 Points:2,159,245 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Jan 14, 2013 11:16:25 PM Ignore pgerassi Report Abuse Old news.
teamsimons Champion Author South Carolina Posts:2,576 Points:525,955 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Jan 14, 2013 11:15:29 PM Ignore teamsimons Report Abuse We think we posted a reply to this article yesterday. What impact does geothermal energy have on gas prices?
CDMAuto Champion Author Connecticut Posts:3,927 Points:780,580 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jan 14, 2013 11:14:57 PM Ignore CDMAuto Report Abuse Old news
Jmac2008 Champion Author Missouri Posts:2,406 Points:906,890 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Jan 14, 2013 11:14:56 PM Ignore Jmac2008 Report Abuse that might be a good use of research and development, if it can be used cheaply.
4warned Champion Author Michigan Posts:5,814 Points:2,186,860 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: Jan 14, 2013 11:14:28 PM Ignore 4warned Report Abuse Costly but worth it.
jkpsr Champion Author New Jersey Posts:4,207 Points:1,127,915 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Jan 14, 2013 11:13:31 PM Ignore jkpsr Report Abuse Why don't they just use the process that are being used in Hawaii on the big island?
Bubba44612 Champion Author Ohio Posts:7,526 Points:1,903,410 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jan 14, 2013 11:12:45 PM Ignore Bubba44612 Report Abuse Hope it works out.
Badjef Champion Author Florida Posts:4,183 Points:844,565 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Jan 14, 2013 11:12:45 PM Ignore Badjef Report Abuse making use of the molten core.
Rooster922 Champion Author Wilmington Posts:3,920 Points:681,820 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Jan 14, 2013 11:11:56 PM Ignore Rooster922 Report Abuse Great
yakstar Champion Author Montreal Posts:2,550 Points:506,250 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Jan 14, 2013 11:11:23 PM Ignore yakstar Report Abuse nice concept but very costly!
Aviator_Rob Champion Author New York Posts:3,985 Points:439,840 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Jan 14, 2013 11:11:13 PM Ignore Aviator_Rob Report Abuse What waste byproducts are you talking about, @pa79th? This isn't like fracking. There's no toxic fracking fluid in this process.
OKRifle Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:10,577 Points:1,837,010 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Jan 14, 2013 11:09:51 PM Ignore OKRifle Report Abuse "but more work needs to be done"! Yeah, with a Government Subsidy", read "tax payer money"!
rahcat Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:2,681 Points:689,900 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Jan 14, 2013 11:06:11 PM Ignore rahcat Report Abuse A new grade school not far from me, uses geothermal energy.
mia3bxs Veteran Author Miami Posts:487 Points:331,515 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Jan 14, 2013 11:05:29 PM Ignore mia3bxs Report Abuse Sounds promising.
pa79th Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:1,922 Points:1,243,050 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Jan 14, 2013 11:05:28 PM Ignore pa79th Report Abuse Yeah and where do we put all the waste byproducts that are needed to harvest this stuff?
regout Champion Author Quebec Posts:3,090 Points:859,430 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Jan 14, 2013 11:05:16 PM Ignore regout Report Abuse Very good idea.
joel27nc Champion Author Raleigh Posts:10,672 Points:1,885,095 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Jan 14, 2013 11:05:09 PM Ignore joel27nc Report Abuse interesting
cheaper0ON Champion Author Ontario Posts:1,118 Points:424,780 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Jan 14, 2013 11:05:01 PM Ignore cheaper0ON Report Abuse Interesting.
PrinceLH Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,832 Points:565,745 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Jan 14, 2013 11:04:19 PM Ignore PrinceLH Report Abuse Great idea!
JamesCalvin Champion Author Lancaster Posts:3,339 Points:546,280 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Jan 14, 2013 11:03:16 PM Ignore JamesCalvin Report Abuse Capture the heat!
bvrbill Champion Author Eugene Posts:3,440 Points:545,250 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Jan 14, 2013 11:01:19 PM Ignore bvrbill Report Abuse Interesting technology. I hope it pans out.
Aviator_Rob Champion Author New York Posts:3,985 Points:439,840 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Jan 14, 2013 11:00:12 PM Ignore Aviator_Rob Report Abuse Once again, @clermont40miles just wants to stir the pot. Have you even met any so-called "greenies"? The one's you are so afraid of are just like bogeymen. Both are fictional.
CharlieC08 Champion Author Colorado Posts:8,077 Points:1,486,075 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jan 14, 2013 10:59:33 PM Ignore CharlieC08 Report Abuse Yes there is some power there but at what cost?