Scientists develop advanced drills to unlock geothermal energy deep in Earth

Geothermal energy could become a global green powerhouse, but new drilling technologies are needed to reach the Earth's untapped energy reserves far below the surface.

Norman Miller reports for BBC.

In short:

Geothermal energy offers a nearly limitless, always-available energy source, but widespread use requires accessing deep supercritical heat reservoirs.
New drilling methods, such as millimeter-wave energy and plasma drills, aim to tackle the challenges of extreme depths and temperatures.
These technologies could retrofit old fossil fuel plants or power dense urban areas with minimal surface space needs.

Key quote:

“Millimetre-wave drilling is a process that can operate largely independent of depth. And millimetre-wave energy can also transmit through dirty, dusty environments.”

— Matt Houde, co-founder of Quaise Energy

Why this matters:

Deep geothermal energy has the potential to provide low-emission, reliable energy for diverse regions, reducing dependence on fossil fuels. As climate change accelerates, innovations in drilling technology could enable countries without natural geothermal hotspots to adopt sustainable energy solutions.

www.bbc.com

Scientists develop advanced drills to unlock geothermal energy deep in Earth

Europeans’ ‘psychological bias’ to climate change risks slowing down progress, warns study

Corpus Christi drills wells to prevent looming water crisis

Wyoming's top officials promise to reckon with ever-increasing wind projects, other development

Himalayan winters are seeing less snowfall as more ice melts

Data centers, Greenlink, and your electricity bill

Supreme Court to hear case on Louisiana’s eroding coast

Big Oil knows that Trump’s Venezuela plans are delusional

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.