Current:Home > FinanceA big boost for a climate solution: electricity made from the heat of the Earth-InfoLens
A big boost for a climate solution: electricity made from the heat of the Earth
View Date:2024-12-23 17:00:30
One method of making electricity cleanly to address climate change has been quietly advancing and on Tuesday it hit a milestone.
A California utility is backing the largest new geothermal power development in the U.S. — 400 megawatts of clean electricity from the Earth’s heat — enough for some 400,000 homes.
Southern California Edison will purchase the electricity from Fervo Energy, a Houston-based geothermal company, Fervo announced.
The company is drilling up to 125 wells in southwest Utah.
Clean electricity like this reduces the need for traditional power plants that cause climate change. The boost could go a long way toward bringing down the cost of a new generation of geothermal energy, said Wilson Ricks, an energy systems researcher at Princeton University.
“If these purchases help to get this technology off the ground, it could be massively impactful for global decarbonization,” he said. Decarbonization refers to switching out things that produce carbon dioxide and methane, which cause the climate to change, in favor of machines and methods that don’t.
Today the world still relies mainly on fossil fuels for round-the-clock power. This new deal shows that clean power can meet a growing demand for electricity, said Sarah Jewett, vice president of strategy at Fervo.
“I think that’s why it’s so exciting. This isn’t a niche energy resource going to a niche use,” she said. “And that is something we have not had, you know, readily available” and able to be scaled up.
The first generation of geothermal plants, for example, The Geysers in California, tapped into superheated reservoirs of steam or very hot water close to the Earth’s surface. Such reservoirs are relatively rare.
New geothermal companies are adapting drilling technology and practices taken from the oil and gas industry to create reservoirs from hot rock. That unlocks the potential for geothermal energy in many more places. Engineers have been working to advance the methods for years.
The United States is one of the world leaders in using the Earth’s heat to make electricity, but geothermal still accounts for less than half a percent of the nation’s total large-scale electricity generation, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Fervo is pioneering horizontal drilling in geothermal reservoirs. It signed the world’s first corporate agreement with Google in 2021 to develop new geothermal power and drilled three wells in Nevada. That project began sending carbon-free electricity onto the Nevada grid in November to power data centers there.
Cape Station, about 200 miles south of Salt Lake City, is expected to start delivering electricity to California as early as 2026.
California Energy Commission Chair David Hochschild said the state is committed to clean, zero-carbon electricity. He said geothermal complements wind and solar farms by providing steady power when it’s not windy or sunny, and that is key to ensuring reliability as the state cuts fossil fuels.
___
The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
veryGood! (554)
Related
- Spirit Airlines cancels release of Q3 financial results as debt restructuring talks heat up
- Kaitlyn Bristowe Reveals Why She and Ex Jason Tartick Are No Longer Sharing Custody of Their 2 Dogs
- A Company’s Struggles Raise Questions About the Future of Lithium Extraction in Pennsylvania
- Raven-Symoné Says Demi Lovato Was Not the Nicest on Sonny with a Chance—But Doesn't Hold It Against Her
- It's cozy gaming season! Video game updates you may have missed, including Stardew Valley
- 'We need help, not hate:' Springfield, Ohio at center of national debate on immigration
- Start 'Em, Sit 'Em quarterbacks: Week 3 fantasy football
- Nearly 138,000 beds are being recalled after reports of them breaking or collapsing during use
- Bohannan requests a recount in Iowa’s close congressional race as GOP wins control of House
- Cher to headline Victoria's Secret Fashion Show's all-women set
Ranking
- Controversial comedian Shane Gillis announces his 'biggest tour yet'
- Shop Hollister's Extra 20% Off Clearance Sale: Up to 75% Off on $4 Tops, $12 Pants & More Deals Under $25
- VP says woman’s death after delayed abortion treatment shows consequences of Trump’s actions
- The Daily Money: Will the Fed go big or small?
- Real Housewives of New York City Star’s Pregnancy Reveal Is Not Who We Expected
- Leaders of Democratic protest of Israel-Hamas war won’t endorse Harris but warn against Trump
- 'As fragile as a child': South Carolina death row inmate's letters show haunted man
- Voters view Harris more favorably as she settles into role atop Democratic ticket: AP-NORC poll
Recommendation
-
GM recalling big pickups and SUVs because the rear wheels can lock up, increasing risk of a crash
-
Drake London’s shooting celebration violated longstanding NFL rules against violent gestures
-
Texas education commissioner calls for student cellphone ban in schools
-
'The Golden Bachelorette' cast: Meet the 24 men looking to charm Joan Vassos
-
Why Officials Believe a Missing Kayaker Faked His Own Death and Ran Off to Europe
-
Elle King Reveals She and Dan Tooker Are Back Together One Year After Breakup
-
Senator’s son to change plea in 2023 crash that killed North Dakota deputy
-
Christina Ricci Accuses Her Dad of Being Failed Cult Leader