Why Geothermal is Both Hot and Cool

By Stephen Lacey, Podcast Editor
November 12, 2009 | 3 Comments

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Nevada, United States [RenewableEnergyWorld.com] Most geothermal development in the near future will come from conventional, medium-temperature hydrothermal power plants. But beyond the next few years, a large number of projects that utilize temperature extremes, both hot and cool, may come online. In this podcast, we'll look at two pioneer companies developing innovative, unconventional geothermal projects.

Michael Hayter, Director of Geothermal Development for Raser Technologies, discusses the company's achievements and setbacks over the last two years as it develops a 10-MW plant in Utah that utilizes low-temperature brine for electricity. If successful, Raser may open the door for more “build as you go” geothermal power plants.

Jared Potter, President and CEO of Potter Drilling, talks about the year of testing for the company's new “hydrothermal spallation” drill, which could lower drilling costs by a factor of ten. This year, the heat was on, as the company had to achieve certain milestones in order to get more funding from Google. If Potter can achieve what its goals, the company may hold the key to the cost-effective development of high-temperature Enhanced Geothermal Systems.

Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.

Geothermal Energy

3 Reader Comments

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1 of 3

marshall-ralph-36128

November 13, 2009

Thanks for the podcast. I admired Michael Hayter's thoughtful and fearless account of Raser's experience with the Thermo project in Utah. He represents his company well, and Raser's approach to plant development -- putting in modular skid-mounted units to optimize to the economic conditions -- is a bold and instructive approach that all of us in the geothermal business can rightly admire. (I should note that I work for a company that is kind of a competitor to Raser in some ways.) We have empathy for the difficulties with wells and resource temperatures; that kind of thing is one of the perennial challenges in geothermal energy production. So thanks for a useful podcast, and a tip of the geothermal project hardhat to Mr. Hayter and his colleagues.

Comment
2 of 3

HouseofWallace

November 13, 2009

My pod won't cast, leaving me out of the information that Michael gave. Chena Hot Springs, Alaska is the only place I've heard of, in the US, that gets all of it's electricity from a Geo-thermal system. It is very small but has operated in 65 below zero temperatures. Many of the Indonesian area counties are close to 100% geo-thermal

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3 of 3

Panthael

December 11, 2009

Wesley Clark is a "renewable energy champion"? Would you say the same thing about a representative of the API?

Enjoyed the podcast overall . . . Keep the good work coming.

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Stephen Lacey

About: I am a reporter with ClimateProgress.org, a blog published by the Center for American Progress. I am former editor and producer for RenewableEnergyWorld.com, wh... more »