Geothermal Energy and its uses in the United

States

Main PointsMain Points1.1. What is Geothermal What is Geothermal

Energy?Energy?

2.2. History of Geothermal History of Geothermal Energy in the United Energy in the United StatesStates

3.3. Current uses of Current uses of Geothermal Energy in Geothermal Energy in the United Statesthe United States

4.4. Looking to the future Looking to the future

Geothermal EnergyGeothermal Energy

• What is it?What is it?

• How does it work?How does it work?

• AdvantagesAdvantages

• DisadvantagesDisadvantages

Historical uses in the United Historical uses in the United StatesStates

• 1800’s1800’s: utilized as a : utilized as a means of relaxation and means of relaxation and socializationsocialization

• 19211921: First U.S. : First U.S. geothermal power plantgeothermal power plant

• 1960:1960: First large-scale First large-scale plant goes into operationplant goes into operation

• 1977: 1977: The U.S. The U.S. Department of Energy Department of Energy (DOE) is formed.(DOE) is formed.

Current uses in the United StatesCurrent uses in the United States

• Power plantsPower plants

• Direct UseDirect Use

• Heat pumpsHeat pumps

estimated subterranean temperatures at a depth of 6 kilometers

Resource Levelized Cost Resource Levelized Cost (U.S. cents/kWh)(U.S. cents/kWh) Geothermal 1.5-7.0Geothermal 1.5-7.0Hydropower 0.5–2.4Hydropower 0.5–2.4Coal 2.0–5.0Coal 2.0–5.0Nuclear 1.5–3.0Nuclear 1.5–3.0

Looking to the futureLooking to the future

• Rising energy costsRising energy costs

• Further explorationFurther exploration

• Pre-identified reservoirs can contribute as Pre-identified reservoirs can contribute as much as 10% of the United States energy much as 10% of the United States energy supply. supply.

Find Out MoreFind Out More

• http://www1.eere.energy.gov/geothermal/ http://www1.eere.energy.gov/geothermal/ about.htmlabout.html

• http://geothermal.id.doe.gov/http://geothermal.id.doe.gov/

• http://www.geothermal.orghttp://www.geothermal.org/