How big a role can geothermal energy generation play in the UK's green transition?
Well, a new plant coming on line in Cornwall will test that proposition, as its major up-front investment starts to pay off in energy generation.
Of course, we're used to big up-front investment(s) in nuclear power, so it will be interesting to see how this project compares in cost recovery terms & longevity of production.
@ChrisMayLA6 David MacKay discusses this in Sustainable Energy without the Hot Air, and it's pretty disappointing (for fundamental rather than technical reasons). The UK can get at most 1.6% of its energy budget from geothermal.
If you divide the amount of heat the earth dissipates by the number of people, the resulting number is simply pretty low.
It works for places like Iceland, because a large area's worth of heat comes out at one point where the population is low.
@etchedpixels @pbloem @ChrisMayLA6 The fancy new technologies are being worked on and are starting to deliver. eg: Fervo Energy is drilling wells down to 5000m and 250C and has working power plants. Those depths open up huge areas for exploitation with minimal surface foot prints. You can even use such wells to store excess renewable energy by shutting off the generator but driving the return pumps to pressurise the wells.
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