Geothermal 2 by Kaiyana Dawn-Marie Aldrich https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7 Made with a quick smile en-us 2020-05-30 23:25:02 UTC 2025-03-17 00:10:58 UTC hello@padlet.com EGTP Institute~ Expanding Geothermal Technology and Policy kdaldric https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/602818258 Our company works to expand and advocate for policy supporting geothermal incentives as well as improving the efficiency and expansion of geothermal technologies. We want to work to generate and export more geothermal energy within the California state lines to power both the state itself, as well as the rest of the US by exportation and further advancements. California already generates 79% of geothermal power in the US, but it has the potential to nearly double the amount it is currently generating. We believe that, with the help of our company, we can utilize geothermal energy to power the nation. ]]> 2020-05-31 00:10:01 UTC https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/602818258 Background on Geothermal Energy kdaldric https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/602820291 A generalized schematic of a Geothermal Power Plant ]]> 2020-05-31 00:15:53 UTC https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/602820291 Background Continued kdaldric https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/602822874 Currently, geothermal energy is comparatively more expensive per kWh than more popular sources like Solar and Wind energy. As states and cities across the US set more ambitious goals for a cleaner electric grid, geothermal energy is becoming more attractive as a potential power source. Typically, the feasibility of geothermal energy depends on the site location; they rely on “hot spots” where high-temperature fluid close to the crust is easily accessible. Many of these hot spots are concentrated in the West Coast.

Geothermal plants can generate emissions-free, renewable electricity around the clock. This makes it an attractive option for climate-friendly energy that is not intermittent. The Department of Energy released a report last year finding that if technology improves, U.S. geothermal capacity could grow to up to 60,000 megawatts by 2050. Since 2045 is the goal for California to reach 100% climate-friendly electricity, and most of the potential for geothermal energy is concentrated along the West Coast, this means that California has a lot to gain from improved geothermal technologies, especially considering the lithium recovery potential in the Salton Sea region. 
]]> 2020-05-31 00:23:24 UTC https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/602822874 Electricity Generation kdaldric https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/602827703 Generation of geothermal electricity ]]> 2020-05-31 00:38:04 UTC https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/602827703 Overview of Geothermal kdaldric https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/605775590 a quick, 2 minute long synopsis of how geothermal heat and electricity are generated: ]]> 2020-06-01 22:30:40 UTC https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/605775590 Open Loop Versus Closed Loop kdaldric https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/605827389 Open Loop systems use bodies of external (surface or ground) water as the heat medium while
Closed Loop systems use antifreeze submerged in water in tubing to be recycled at depth within a single closed loop that doesn't interact with any external solution. ]]> 2020-06-01 23:21:08 UTC https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/605827389 kdaldric https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/605827532 2020-06-01 23:21:20 UTC https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/605827532 Problems with Geothermal: Surface Instability kdaldric https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/605839178 Construction of geothermal power plants has the potential to cause surface instability and trigger earthquakes. Conventional geothermal power plant construction involves drilling hot rock that contains trapped water or steam in its pores spaces and natural fractures. When these fractures are intersected by a drilled hole, the trapped water erupts as steam due to an instant drop in pressure.

The drilling itself may not trigger earthquakes, but the rupturing of steam and subsequent return of the used water to the hot water reservoir could. The cycle leads to instabilities along fracture lines that might result in an earthquake. One way to mitigate risk is to build the plant far enough away from a fault line. Unfortunately most geothermal hot spots are close to geologic fault zones where there is a higher risk of earthquakes. Safer methods of drilling will be an area of focus for our research so that we can encourage the expansion of geothermal energy. 
]]> 2020-06-01 23:34:31 UTC https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/605839178 Problems with Geothermal: Environmental Impacts coleratliff321 https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/605839501 A life cycle analysis of most geothermal systems shows that the total equivalent carbon emissions are 95% less than coal and 92% less than gas. In closed-loop geothermal systems, gases removed from the well are not exposed to the atmosphere and are injected back into the ground after giving up their heat, so air emissions are minimal. The small quantities of gases emitted from geothermal power plants aren't created during power production because there's no combustion. These gases are natural, minor constituents of all geothermal reservoirs, that would eventually vent to the atmosphere  regardless, although at much slower rates. 

Most geothermal facilities have closed-loop water systems, in which extracted water is pumped directly back into the geothermal reservoir after it has been used for heat or electricity production. In such systems, the water is contained within steel well casings cemented to the surrounding rock. There have been no reported cases of water contamination from geothermal sites in the United States.


]]> 2020-06-01 23:34:55 UTC https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/605839501 Applications for Geothermal kdaldric https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/605840007 2020-06-01 23:35:31 UTC https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/605840007 Geothermal Heat Pumps coleratliff321 https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/605840348 In addition to using geothermal sources for energy production, the hot and cold water in an aquifer can be used to regulate temperatures in a building. In the Summer, when the weather is hot, the groundwater is comparatively cool, and can be used to cool off the building. Similarly, in winter, warmer groundwater can be used to heat the buildings. Considering the amount of energy that is used in building HVAC processes annually, geothermal sources represent a significant amount of potential energy savings, especially for medium-large sized building complexes. 


]]> 2020-06-01 23:35:55 UTC https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/605840348 Advances in Geothermal: Desalination kdaldric https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/605840621 With the use of geothermal spots to make energy from the hot fluid and steam, it leaves the lower temperature spots not able to be converted into anything useful until recently. There are tests being done to use the lower temperature brines from the Earth and create fresh water from them by the use of Membrane Distillation. The hot water comes in and heats a new water source to remove all pathogens and minerals from the water to create fresh drinking water. The new fresh water then gets cooled and passes a mineralizer before being sent out into pipes to fill the demand for the freshwater.]]> 2020-06-01 23:36:10 UTC https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/605840621 Lowing the Cost: Policy coleratliff321 https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/605840651 Incentivising the expansion of geothermal is essential to lowering the costs of implementing it. Lobbying for government incentives such as tax deductions for Geothermal applications, especially in locations along the West Coast, could be one example, as well as subsidies for public construction projects that have a plan to incorporate geothermal energy. Other ways that the government can help instigate geothermal construction is by increasing funding for research, development, and demonstration; streamlining geothermal permitting plans and providing financial incentives to ease geothermal into the market. ]]> 2020-06-01 23:36:11 UTC https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/605840651 EGBT Budget Breakdown kdaldric https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/605843035 For this plan we are seeking a grant allocation of $64 million. Of this allotted grant, 90% of the $64 million will be used to conduct research on new technologies and processes to improve the efficiency of various geothermal systems. With the remaining 10% of the grant, we look to help with tax incentives, permitting, and other policy initiatives to allow for the creation of new geothermal energy sites. 

Total funding: $64,000,000.00 USD. 

Broken Down in terms of a percentage per sector in next slide. 
]]> 2020-06-01 23:38:58 UTC https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/605843035 Budget kdaldric https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/605870098 2020-06-02 00:03:53 UTC https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/605870098 Mineral Recovery: kdaldric https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/605870525 Includes research into how minerals can be recovered in conjunction with geothermal extraction, in order to offset the cost of initial construction, through predominately lithium extraction. Looking into how to do this sustainably and is of crucial for long-term expansion of geothermal systems. Depending on location, essential minerals for technology and storage could be extracted.]]> 2020-06-02 00:04:27 UTC https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/605870525 Increasing ease of Installation construction/ increasing efficiency: kdaldric https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/605871214 As the largest category, this has several points of focus, in terms of both mitigation and efficiency. These categories must be researched and these areas need to be developed/ trouble shot while expanding geothermal energy: 
~Environmental destruction associated with construction
~Fault/ground stability with operation and construction and      
maintenance 
~Gases released during operation, and how to create a closed looped 
system based on returning spent fluid into the earth to mitigate 
greenhouse gases released
~Groundwater usage, using less water, and lessening impacts
~Underground heat mitigation to ensure adequate steam power]]> 2020-06-02 00:05:18 UTC https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/605871214 Desalination: kdaldric https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/605871672 Looking into ways to utilize and improve existing technology on a larger scale to desalinate the water produced by geothermal that is too COLD for steam so that it can be redistributed as drinking water; currently the technology to do this is less intensive than reverse osmosis, and it could offset some of the water used for this process. ]]> 2020-06-02 00:05:51 UTC https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/605871672 Political Advocacy: kdaldric https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/605872031 One of the biggest reasons that geothermal is not cheap is because we have placed all of our governmental subsidies into oil and fossil fuel power. The argument for geothermal is that drilling is expensive: Drilling for anything is expensive, and that includes oil. The difference is that oil wells run out, and pollutes the earth when used, or spilled. Geothermal plants last longer, and are a clean and renewable source. Lobbying for these subsidies and grants to make installation mainstream is essential for the development of this energy source. 

A lot of the issues with geothermal energy are political. Organizing to promote and vote to expand this source of energy is a positive use of our budget because it allows us to work to put the research into action. Research and data mean nothing if it cannot become integrated into people's lives and become accessible, so expanding acceptance, implementation, and government requirements surrounding geothermal is essential. 

]]> 2020-06-02 00:06:18 UTC https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/605872031 Permitting & Loans: kdaldric https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/605872379 One of the biggest barriers to geothermal sources is getting the permitting passed and money to start and complete the project. Working towards making the process faster and more streamlined would help make construction of sites more feasible. Striking a balance between environmental protection and constructability is crucial.]]> 2020-06-02 00:06:41 UTC https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/605872379 Advertising and encouraging public acceptance of Geothermal: kdaldric https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/605872669 A lot of people have no idea what geothermal is, and so it may seem surreal that this energy is not something we have been using already. Spreading positive education and the facts about the research found is important to gaining public acceptance and the public understanding why it is a positive switch, and worth the agreement to pay more in taxes. An important addition to this is holding public forums and receiving community input about how geothermal plants will negatively impact the community, and working together on strategies to overcome these issues.  ]]> 2020-06-02 00:07:02 UTC https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/605872669 Research: kdaldric https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/605873212 The goal of the research is to be able to find new ways to be able to produce electricity from geothermal spots more efficiently. This can start in the way that the geothermal spots are drilled for. Currently the plants need to have access to a high temperature liquid (called brine) which is usually at a depth of 3000 feet or more underground. Improvements in drilling will allow for a large reduction in costs which can range from $30-$50 per foot drilled.

The next research is the creation of energy by the use of steam turbines. Currently geothermal plants use closed and open loop systems to move the brine from the ground to the turbine. With an open loop, the excess steam and gasses are vented back into the atmosphere and the remaining liquid brine is released into ponds, aquifers or surrounding streams after being cooled in a cooling tower. With a closed loop system the cooled brine is sent back into the ground to get reheated by the geothermal spot and be reused in the system, thus mitigating the amount of greenhouse gasses and excess steam vented into the atmosphere. The research we will be focusing on is the use of the closed looped system and improving it to work in conjunction with open loop and desalination plants. 

In these underground pockets of brine, there are different types of minerals in the brine. The exact minerals vary by location. In California, one of those minerals is lithium. There has been recent research in the use of separating lithium from the brine before the water gets sent back into the ground to be heated again. By utilizing the new lithium extraction method there will be more lithium available to build more batteries and power storage for the plants. Utilizing this technology could help procure some rare minerals locally and help fund and offset some costs of installation.

]]> 2020-06-02 00:07:39 UTC https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/605873212 Location Feasibility Analysis: kdaldric https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/605873630 This involves researching the best locations for different geothermal systems, attempting to identify spots suited for large scale energy production, micro-scale energy production, heating & cooling buildings, and other applications. This will also involve identifying minerals present in brine as well as concentrations. Lastly this will involve researching ways to improve surface stability when during initial construction and drilling processes. ]]> 2020-06-02 00:08:09 UTC https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/605873630 kdaldric https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/610244178 2020-06-04 05:32:36 UTC https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/610244178 kdaldric https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/610246250 2020-06-04 05:34:29 UTC https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/610246250 kdaldric https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/610247295 2020-06-04 05:35:24 UTC https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/610247295 kdaldric https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/610248680 2020-06-04 05:36:38 UTC https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/610248680 kdaldric https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/610249794 2020-06-04 05:37:33 UTC https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/610249794 kdaldric https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/610255979 2020-06-04 05:43:37 UTC https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/610255979 kdaldric https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/610256867 2020-06-04 05:44:25 UTC https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/610256867 Closing Remarks kdaldric https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/610257169 Geothermal energy has the potential to power the nation with the heat that is already being generated from the earth, right below our feet. With the right research and innovation, as well as the right people backing the plan for geothermal, there is no reason why we cannot tap into this local and expansive source of energy on a larger scale. Harnessing this power will lead to a more sustainable society that will prosper off of this source of energy long into the future. ]]> 2020-06-04 05:44:42 UTC https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/610257169 Thank you! kdaldric https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/610261699 2020-06-04 05:49:13 UTC https://padlet.com/kdaldric/asmsrlp193j1qel7/wish/610261699