Comments on: Geothermal Power Plant Cost Potentially Reduced By 50%

By: Otis11

Otis11 — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 14:36:00 +0000

Glad to hear. And while I know they are trying to grow their portfolio as it simply means more profits for them – many fracking companies already have established contracts and supply chains. Until they are given incentive to switch (whether that be enough bad PR or changing the Clean Air, Clean Water act) it’s more work and more expensive in the short run to switch, so they don’t.

By: Bob_Wallace

Bob_Wallace — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 04:10:00 +0000

Actually, I’m quite happy to see your comment.

I’ll accept your word that the fracking chemicals one company uses are safe – for the purposes of this discussion.

Now, if that company is in the natural gas fracking business and has a benign, fairly benign, fracking cocktail I’d think they would be well served by making that fact very public.

And then licensing their formula to other frackers which should create an additional profit center.

Both the industry and the environment would profit.

It wouldn’t solve the methane leak problem or stop the CO2 produced by burning NG, but it might take care of some of the fracking problems.

—

If we can make enhanced (hot rock) geothermal work at an acceptable price then we’re in great shape. Geothermal is 24/365 and dispatchable. Enhanced geothermal sites are found all around the world.

By: Otis11

Otis11 — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Well, the evidence to support this is actually a bit shaky as the Oil and Gas companies do not have to disclose what is in their fluids according to the exemption given in, I believe, the Clean Air and Water Act. (Kind of a misnomer but ok)

Many of the chemicals being injected down well are actually completely safe, and I can honestly say for at least 1 such company that I would have no qualms about swimming in a pool of their fracking fluid. (Yes, I do know exactly the chemicals in it – not an issue). Now I realize that this isn’t the case with all of the fracking fluids (some of which I wouldn’t go near with a hazmat suit) and that the natural gas itself seeping into the water supply can also be an issue.

The reason I say this is simply to point out that the technology of fracking itself isn’t the problem, but rather certain companies means of doing it. Granted, the Geothermal method is also more sustainable as it will produce for thousands of years to come while the natural gas well will run dry, but regardless, it’s the methods employed that are the issue, not the technology.

Disclaimer: I know this is likely to be an unpopular comment, but just as I would fight to promote the truth of cleantech I have to promote the truth of other energy sources as well. While I do have intimate knowledge of some O&G information, I do not work for that industry and have nothing to gain by promoting it.

By: Bob_Wallace

Bob_Wallace — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 19:30:00 +0000

“created by injecting cold water into hot, low permeability rock to amplify fractures”

“A biodegradable polymer was used at the Newberry site.”

The recent Oregon test site used CO2 to fracture rock.

All these are benign. Very much unlike what is being used for natural gas fracking.

By: poningru

poningru — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 15:55:00 +0000

Lou: Injecting a fluid into the ground is only an with ‘fracking’ because of the pollutants contained in the fluid being injected, and most of the fluid being left in the ground at the end of the process. With Geothermal a) the fluid is not a pollutant (at least all the articles and papers I’m reading don’t say so, please point me toward a paper that says otherwise), and b) the fluid is in a loop i.e does not get left in the ground at the end of the process.

By: Lou Gage

Lou Gage — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 15:38:00 +0000

Injecting a fluid into heated and unstable rock zones is good if it is for a geothermal plant but bad if the same (basically) process is used to extract natural gas – is that good science? I will admit to not being a “subterrian” engineer but just seems like some like to pick and choose science. Just saying…. Lou Gage