Geothermal Anywhere #
Geothermal energy is relatively easy to harvest on volcanic islands or over hot spots, but no one thought you could use it in geomorphically settled place. Maybe you can:
Dig deep enough and geothermal energy is everywhere, since the temperature increases by 25-30°C for every kilometre you go down. Generating electricity requires a temperature above 150°C to be viable. In the case of the rocks under Gross Schönebeck, that means digging to a depth of 4.4km (2.8 miles)—and then doing so all over again. For unlike volcanic geothermal energy, which is supplied by water or steam gushing to the surface unprompted, the non-volcanic variety requires a pump, and two holes in the ground, rather than one. Cold water goes down the first hole, and hot water comes up the second.