Geothermal Energy By: Nicole Pytel Evan Grunberger Amy Weinhaus

Uses for Geothermal  Electricity  Santa Monica, CA  Heating  Iceland  1% of world’s electricity .36% of U.S.’s electricity

How does it work?  Heat of the Earth’s core  Where to drill?  Geothermal Reservoirs  Dry steam  Wet steam  Hot water

Advantages  Very clean, none or little emission  Small Land use  Most reliable energy source  Inexpensive electricity price  Perpetual Source of Energy  Steam as a byproduct

Disadvantages  Expensive to build  Few spots in US- West Coast Only  Only enough to supply ¼ of US electricity demand

Where is it now?  Alaska  California  Idaho  Hawaii  New Mexico  Nevada  Utah

Mainstreaming  Will replace coal power plants

Challenges  Barriers  Transactional Costs: Address institutional barriers to decrease project transactional cost.  Technical Unfamiliarity: Make decision makers aware of geothermal benefits and resource locations.  Power Market Process: Make utilities, power generators, and regulators aware of geothermal benefits.  Leasing, Permitting and Public Policies: Address policy constraints of land use plans, and federal and state requirements.  Environmental, Tribal, and Public Perception: Address environmental impacts and educate the public.

Michigan  A geothermal system in Michigan will cost around $500 a year to operate  A propane system will operate at around $2000 a year  natural gas heating system will cost around $1000 a year  These prices can fluctuate depending on the household. Larger households may have a cost upwards of $2000 more.

Bibliography  energy.org/information/plants.asp  yment.html  eothermal-Energy-Facts-Geothermal-Energy- Pros-and-Cons/Page1.html  at_In_Michigan.html