In a recent report the International Energy Agency (IEA) shows how to grow global production of geothermal heat and electricity tenfold by 2050. If their recommendation will be followed the IEA believes that “geothermal energy can account 3.5% of annual global electricity production and 3.9% of energy for heat by 2050.”
U.S. Geothermal Inc., a renewable energy company focused on the development, production and sale of electricity from geothermal energy, yesterday announced the financial closing with the U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE”) of a $96.8-million loan guarantee to construct its planned 23-megawatt-net power plant at Neal Hot Springs in Eastern Oregon.
Geothermal energy has always been used by man, but it wasn’t until the late 19th century that geothermal energy was “rediscovered” and used on an industrial scale. Initially, it was used to produce electricity from steam, and then also came to be exploited for heating. The principle is to use boreholes to access heat in ground water, then use it for heating homes.