Atlantic Geothermal LLC.

For the past decade, Atlantic Geothermal, has been actively researching and designing a geothermal power plant that could be used in New England to produce a significant amount of electricity. Atlantic Geothermal is currently seeking $500,000 for a feasibility study to determine the technical and economic viability of creating a prototype plant in Massachusetts. We believe that such a study would be an important first step in the development of a key alternative energy source for the region. The study would also help establish Massachusetts as a leader in the emerging field of geothermal energy.

Geothermal Power

Geothermal energy is energy stored in the earth's crust. It consists of "hot rock" and the natural fluids, primarily water, contained in the rock's fractures and pores. Such fluids have been used for cooking and bathing since the beginning of recorded history. Industrial and commercial uses of geothermal energy were first developed in the early twentieth century. In 1904, electricity was first produced using geothermal steam in Lardello, Italy. The use of geothermal energy and methods of obtaining it have developed slowly but significantly since then. Still, current technologies primarily utilize heated water near the earth's surface at ideal geological locations.

At present, over 20 countries produce electricity geothermally. According to the Department of Energy, geothermal energy in 2005 at 61 U.S. plants produced 16,010 gigawatt hours of electricity. Remarkably, this still accounts for only 0.36% of U.S. annual electricity generation. A key reason that research and development of the geothermal option has been limited is the assumption that geothermal power is only viable in places where resources are close to the surface and geologic conditions ideal (natural aquifers and high rock porosity/permeability). Geothermal power is still considered an "exotic" resource suitable only for places where steam is on or near the earth's surface (Iceland, Western United States, etc.) Research into methods and technologies to tap heat resources deeper beneath the earth's surface has not been encouraged by federal policy since the 1970s.

A Paradigm Shift

This dynamic may be changing. With the recent energy crisis and the emerging consensus on global warming, political support for funding of alternative energy research appears to have reached a critical mass. This development has coincided with new research on the feasibility of non-traditional sources of geothermal energy. In January 2007, a distinguished panel led by MIT Professor Jefferson Tester found that new methods (but using existing oil-drilling technologies) could stimulate and tap geothermal energy at much greater depths and under less ideal conditions than previously supposed.

According to the findings of the panel, such "Enhanced Geothermal Systems" (EGS) have the potential to supply a significant amount of the United States’ electricity currently being generated by conventional fossil fuel, hydroelectric and nuclear plants. But unlike conventional plants, only water would be required as fuel.

The findings of the MIT panel further suggested that EGS combined with more traditional methods, could supply as much as 10% of U.S. energy needs by the year 2050. But the panel also stressed that given the uncertainties, public funding will have to take the lead. The Tester report makes a compelling case for publicly-funded research into new geothermal methods and technologies now.

Please visit our blog to see what people are talking about