Geothermal energy, the forgotten renewable, has finally arrived

Dec 22, 2020

Piping which carries hot fluids from the Coso geothermal field to a geothermal power plant (background) is pictured at the China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station in China Lake, California July 31, 2008. Water mist is seen rising from cooling towers at the plant. The U.S. military has a history of fostering change, from racial integration to development of the Internet. Now, Pentagon officials say their green energy efforts will help America fight global warming. Picture taken July 31, 2008. REUTERS/Fred Prouser (UNITED STATES) - GM1E4880EL801

Hell’s Kitchen Lithium and Power project in 2023, will be one he first new US geothermal power plants in almost a decade. Image: REUTERS/Fred Prouser

Michael J. Coren

Reporter, Quartz

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Jason Czapla, chief engineer for Controlled Thermal Resources.

California is the perfect place for a geothermal project. Image: Quartz

Subterranean map of estimated geothermal resources in the US.

Just 2% the US's total potential geothermal energy could power the entire US over 2,000 times. Image: MIT

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— Michael J. Coren

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— Michael J. Coren

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— Michael J. Coren

The geothermal plant in the Salton Sea owned by Controlled Thermal Resources. Image: Controlled Thermal Resources

Geothermal Technologies Office budget, US Department of Energy

The budget for geothermal technologies has been increasing since 2014. Image: Quartz

There is potential for geothermal electricity generation to reach 450 terawatt hours by 2050

US geothermal electricity generation potential scenarios Image: Quartz

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