14 DAY TRIAL // According to the first geothermal survey in over 30 years, America has a much greater potential for producing clean, renewable energy than previously thought. A rough estimate points the possible increase of power output to no less than 260 percent, compared to the current production levels. The U.S. Geological Survey, published last week, said that the geothermal electrical power production could spring from 2,500 to 6,500 megawatts (MW).
The study also says that conventional geothermal sources can produce as much as 9,000 MW per year, if properly developed, while undiscovered natural sources could add up a further 30,000 MW. By enhancing the natural output of these sources using technological means, more than 517,800 MW could be produced in the United States alone yearly. Tough the country is the international leader in geothermal energy exploitation, it still relies heavily on fossil fuel plants, which generate enormous amounts of pollution, by releasing sulfur and carbon into the atmosphere.
The private sector has already begun showing massive interest in the matter, by investing millions of dollars in research and development of these natural resources. Auctions held in Nevada over the past year have yielded more than $28 million in federal revenues from leases of geothermal fields to investors. Scientists at MIT have long since compiled a list of all major thermal sites, located in areas including Alaska, California, Hawaii, Idaho and Utah.
The future of renewable energy is beginning to look more and more promising, with various types of power sources often being discovered or enhanced. The Japanese managed to create the first renewable power cell, by using chemical processes to break down sugar and generate electricity and water. Previous attempts of putting the invention to practical use turned out to be in vain, but now scientists working on the project developed a renewable battery that can actually power up devices such as an MP3 player or an RC car.