New Technologies Position Geothermal Energy for Growth
California Energy Markets
Several recent advances in both conventional and enhanced geothermal systems could translate into significant growth for geothermal projects, adherents hope. By 2050, enhanced geothermal could contribute up to 20 percent of total U.S. electricity generation, as well as considerably reducing the cost of electricity decarbonization, according to a Princeton University study published in June in the academic journal Joule.
The GeoZone geothermal project, announced in July 2024 by Sonoma Clean Power and meant to add up to 600 MW of enhanced geothermal power to the grid, has had some success but is still grappling with permitting issues. The community choice aggregator partnered with Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake counties and energy company developers to develop pilot projects of up to 20 MW, which could later scale to 200 MW or larger, within the GeoZone. SCP is also projecting that these new projects will create thousands of well-paying jobs, boosting the local economy. New community programs hope to feed this pipeline.
But to create these jobs, SCP needs to get its geothermal projects off the ground. The CCA’s website cites the success of state Assembly Bill 1359 as fixing “an old legal barrier”—specifically, environmental and other permitting issues—that has held it back from building geothermal facilities. Building on this success, SCP has co-sponsored AB 527 and AB 531, with Assms. Diane Papan (D-San Mateo) and Chris Rogers (D-Santa Rosa).
Read more here:New Technologies Position Geothermal Energy for Growth | Regional Roundup | newsdata.com
