Forbes on the potential impact of the Newberry EGS project
Well at the Newberry project site in Oregon (source: AltaRock Energy)
Francisco Rojas
7 Nov 2014
Forbes covers the developments of the Enhanced Geothermal System in the Newberry Volcano in Oregon. They also interview Aaron Mandell, co-founded AltaRock.
The prestigious magazine Forbes has just published a very extensive article covering Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) in the US and more specifically, the Newberry EGS project.
In the article, it is also expose one of the critical differences that the geothermal industry has been trying to get across; that “EGS is a very different technology than hydro-fracking for natural gas” since “One doesn’t have to drill sideways, nor use chemicals or sand to open up fractures in the rock. Also, no wastewater is produced that needs to be disposed of. Rather, it’s the temperature differential between cold water and hot rock that creates the fractures. These fractures in turn result in enhanced surface area for subsequent heat transfer from the rock to the water. Another public concern has been the potential for creating earthquakes, referred to as “induced seismicity.” But as Altarock highlights using measured data from the Newberry project, EGS stimulations result in seismicity that is lower than a packed football stadium during a big NFL game.”
Other issues that are mentioned are the relative high costs of EGS systems (which could be mitigated through grants and subsidies), all the steps that AltaRock is performing in the Newberry project and a general assessment of the project.
As a conclusion they quote, Mr Aaron Mandell, co-founded AltaRock, stating that “enhanced geothermal can be a critical technology in meeting our future electric energy requirements.”
To read the full article, please follow the link below:
Source: Forbes
