Balls of DNA Could Fix Geothermal Energy's Biggest Problem
Shara Tonn for Wired.com: Geothermal Power has the potential to be cheap, reliable, and abundant—running off the heat of the Earth 24 hours a day, seven days a week. That’s especially true thanks to a new generation of home-grown geothermal plants, which don’t run off the steam of natural hot springs and geysers. No need to find those hydrothermal gems; today, geothermal engineers are making their own reservoirs by drilling down into hot rock and pumping in water.
The catch? Engineers can’t see what’s happening underground. Drilling wells in just the right spot can be like playing golf blindfolded: Even if someone faces you in the right direction, you could still hit the ball way off the green. But tiny fragments of DNA dropped into the wells could soon help engineers follow the path of water underground, helping them sink their putts every time.
In a basic geothermal plant set-up, engineers actually have to drill two types of wells. The first kind, which goes down two or three miles, carries cold water down deep, where it fractures the hot rock and creates new paths for water to move. It’s kind of like fracking, but without the chemicals. Cont'd...
Balls of DNA Could Fix Geothermal Energy's Biggest Problem
Shara Tonn for Wired.com: Geothermal Power has the potential to be cheap, reliable, and abundant—running off the heat of the Earth 24 hours a day, seven days a week. That’s especially true thanks to a new generation of home-grown geothermal plants, which don’t run off the steam of natural hot springs and geysers. No need to find those hydrothermal gems; today, geothermal engineers are making their own reservoirs by drilling down into hot rock and pumping in water.
The catch? Engineers can’t see what’s happening underground. Drilling wells in just the right spot can be like playing golf blindfolded: Even if someone faces you in the right direction, you could still hit the ball way off the green. But tiny fragments of DNA dropped into the wells could soon help engineers follow the path of water underground, helping them sink their putts every time.
In a basic geothermal plant set-up, engineers actually have to drill two types of wells. The first kind, which goes down two or three miles, carries cold water down deep, where it fractures the hot rock and creates new paths for water to move. It’s kind of like fracking, but without the chemicals. Cont'd...
Evaluating the Case for Module-Level Shutdown
An Increase in Safety or the Creation of Perceived Danger?
IoT and Solar Energy
Because solar installations can operate anywhere there is cellular service available, AT&T is a perfect technology provider for the wireless connectivity needs of solar companies.
Biofuel Production is Complex
Introduction of biofuels is proceeding so quickly, that the environmental risks of biofuel production are being disregarded. Without careful and thorough assessment and regulation, the promise of biofuels may well be delayed.
Global solar photovoltaic manufacturing production slows in recent years
The market is reacting to the slow growth of module production and the decreased utilization of PV manufacturing capability by downsizing and consolidating PV manufacturing companies.
Solar Surges in the Middle East and North Africa
Driving Need for Latest in Efficient Technology
After Years of Lying Dormant, the Geothermal Market is Ready to Take Off
Though the potential and power of geothermal energy is massive, setting up a large-scale plant to harness this energy is not an easy goal.
Solar Power International 2015 News Report
News and Product announcements for SPI 15. You are welcome to add your company news here too.
Hawaii's Oldest Country Club Gets a New Source of Power
The one-piece FR510 requires no assembly, and it's universal design allowed HEC to install two different models of PV modules, with the same simple and intuitive installation procedure.
Installing 1,393 MW of PV in Q2 2015,
U.S. Solar Market Surpasses 20 GW
The demand for solar energy is now higher than ever and this report spells out how crucial it is for America to maintain smart, effective, forward-looking public policies
Solar Panels Bring Light To 'Devon Darkness' Ale
Energy monitoring helps match brewery's requirements to ideal solar system.
The Smart Campus Project
The campuses involved in the SMART CAMPUS project reached 30% energy savings. The expected result was 20%, so in short the results were 10% better than expected.
New in Cold Nuclear Fusion
Today we know that not only the first isotope of hydrogen (deuterium) produces fusion energy, but also the second (heavy) isotope of hydrogen (tritium) can produce energy by nuclear fusion.
Five Myths About Solar Power - And The Real Facts
What we are witnessing is in reality a traditional consolidation phase in a new and fledging industry, with winners and losers, and with the surviving players facing a bright and profitable future.
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