Free Unlimited Energy Constantly Available But Rarely Used

Under your feet , about 8-12 km downwards , there is heat upto and over 300 degrees centigrade . Water at these temperatures becomes steam and steam is generally used to drive turbines which create electricity .

Geothermal projects can tap the natural heat found within the Earth , the use of which creates little to no pollution or other disturbance to natural balances as it is energy which does not have to be generated by mining transporting and burning fossil fuel and the atmospheric oxygen .

What is required to use geothermal energy is deep boreholes and suitable equipment to harness the heat found underground and to convert it into electricity . It can't be that hard to do - and where there is a will there is a way . Because that's unlimited free energy which does not pollute down there . It's worth us getting some surely .

Two superdeep borehole projects took place in the 80s , one in Mexico the Americans undertook , and one in Siberia which the Russians dug . Both are now capped , abandoned , forgotten . The Siberian site looks like it took bombs or other part demolition before they left . Very little is officially to be found on the internet about any serious geothermal developments since . In the main , governments are not sponsoring it . No one talks about it .

The question is , why are we not using that free unlimited constantly available energy which our planet apparently has an unlimited abundance of ? Is it down to certain oil cartels ensuring we remain dependent on petroleum by putting some of their huge profits into corrupting and threatening politicians ?
Or is it down to it being too difficult to use , too frightening or dangerous ? Could it be that we don't use it just because it's free ? That , were someone to begin investing and using that resource , they'd be committing some kind of financial suicide by being first to do so ? By paying to develop the technology ?

If , by some reasoning or chance , we were missing out on something that blatantly would sort out most of our energy needs forever , and ruining our environment , our precious atmosphere soils and seas instead , wouldn't that be the greatest of shames upon us ? That it's self impoverishment was a self inflicted injury caused of humankinds own stupidity ? There are person like that which make one ashamed for them while they carry on in their ignorance . We hate them for it too , they can't be taught and won;t change .

Do we have to remain as *apparently* unfortunately addicted to unsustainable resources like fossil fuels for energy as we currently are ?
And if we don;t have to remain in such a pickle , then can we somehow begin to extricate ourselves from it please .

It's all just about the cost imho

a reply to: DoctorBluechip

There's no money in free.

originally posted by: DoctorBluechip

The question is , why are we not using that free unlimited constantly available energy which our planet apparently has an unlimited abundance of ? Is it down to certain oil cartels ensuring we remain dependent on petroleum by putting some of their huge profits into corrupting and threatening politicians ?

Because it's not free. Digging a hole 12km down is not trivial, nor is transferring that "free" heat upward and into a usable format. Of course, it's easy to blame the usual suspects and make up a conspiracy for the reason.

a reply to: DoctorBluechip

It is just as free as wind, water or solar power. The devices to access it still cost money.

It is also known to have caused tremors and even earthquakes.

We produce more natural gas (methane) than we can use as a by-product of oil drilling. www.appienergy.com... So much so that it is intentionally wasted by burned off or leaked into the atmosphere. www.wilderness.org...

Investing in new energy sources doesn't make since when we already waste enough energy to power the world. And the more you think about it you'll realize, the more energy efficient your electrical appliances are.And the more wind and solar energy produced means less demand for natural gas power plants, resulting in even more methane released into the environment.

I remember Art Bell telling how his Pahrump Nevada homes radio antenna's put out electrical voltage doing absolutely nothing. www.instructables.com...

There are a few people in Southern Idaho with thermal pools and vents who used to look at them like a nuisance, but have arrived at their practicality and value.

a reply to: DoctorBluechip

Just a few thoughts about it...

1./ Drilling that far down is EXPENSIVE.

2./ If you do get to water and it is anything like I know about in the oil field, it is about 700 times more saline than ocean water. Think REALLY caustic to anything metal...

3./ So your 5 mile piping will need to be replaced every 18-24 months or so...

4./ then if you are trying to use the steam to push a turbine or something, you are going to have to figure out a way to get rid of the condensate. Since it kills about everything and certainly plant life.

So it doesn't really sound free at all.

~shrug~

a reply to: DoctorBluechip

The economy doesn't exist to serve people or make people's lives better. The economy exists to enslave people so a very small group of people can pretend their lives have meaning by having mega-wealth privileges. The sad truth is the richest people in the World are ultimately just as unhappy as everyone else.

a reply to: DoctorBluechip

Guide to home geothermal energy

The only area that I know of that is researching into geothermal energy is Steamboat Nevada, a few miles south of Reno. Here is their link and some more information for you to explore:

Steamboat Springs Geothermal Field

There are also a few other facilities just north of Reno going towards Winnemucca.

I believe many of the Boise public buildings are powered by geothermal. Of course in their case they can tap into it close to the surface.

everyone all good replies thanks

Iceland are heavily involved in development of geothermal and other renewables.

During the course of the 20th century, Iceland went from what was one of Europe's poorest countries, dependent upon peat and imported coal for its energy, to a country with a high standard of living where practically all stationary energy is derived from renewable resources. In 2014, roughly 85% of primary energy use in Iceland came from indigenous renewable resources. There of 66% was from geothermal.nea.is...

Elsewhere, there is growing interest in use of ground sourced heating systems. Running costs can represent annual savings of £1k+ and savings on carbon emissions are pretty phenomenal.

www.energysavingtrust.org.uk...
www.greenmatch.co.uk...

WTF's going on?

only about 200 words of my post would actually be posted?

This topic is one of my 'specialities' and I had a Lot to share about it

a reply to: Lumenari

BUT . . . there Are So many other ways to Do the same thing esp on a smaller/domeestic levell e.g.

originally posted by: dfnj2015
a reply to: DoctorBluechip

Guide to home geothermal energy

Great post as it's VIP 'we' don't 'forget' about such things when BB (BigBusiness) is much moreinterested in selling you their latest product, not necessarily the/ir "Best (i.e. most efficient) Product"

THIS is essentially a Heat Pump


and why can't I post more than 100 words? I know a LOT about this subject, compiled a comprehensive post and this is ALL I CAN post? wtf?

Nobody talking about Iceland?
Those lucky ones have the advantage that you just have to dig your boot in the dirt to unearth a geothermal spring..
List of (geothermal) power stations in Iceland

Okay, to produce electrical energy, you would need (for temperatures from 57°C to about 180°C) a Organic-Rankine- or Kalina cycle generator. There are some in Germany, for example in Unterhaching (up to 70MW thermal, 3.36MW electrical) or Bruchsal (Kalina, 5.5MW thermal, 0.55MW electrical).

Slightly off-piste but relevant to your query OP

www.bbc.com...

All about how slowly the construction industry is adapting to new technology. Use and development of free source power is another area where the main obstacles are traditional builders resisting change to how they install infrastructure.

originally posted by: schuyler
Because it's not free. Digging a hole 12km down is not trivial, nor is transferring that "free" heat upward and into a usable format.

Exactly. The world is full of "free" energy if you're willing to spend a ton of money to get it, build the generators to make it into electricity, then build the connections to the grid to transmit it.

One of my favorite sources of free energy is the tides and currents of the oceans. Billions of gallons of water being sloshed around forever by the gravity of the Moon and rotation of the Earth. All you need to do is build a huge tidal mill and sink it into the water. What could be simpler! Oh, yeah, it would cost incredible amounts of money to build and maintain. But it's "free," right?