Geothermal energy developers plan to pump 24 million gallons of water to the side of an active volcano in Central Oregon this summer to show new technology they hope will give a boost to green energy sector who have not lived up to his promise.
They hope to return to the surface of the water fast enough and hot enough to make a cheap, clean electricity that does not rely on clear skies or stiff wind–without shaking the Earth and rattling nerves of nearby residents.
Energy has been held back by inexpensive natural gas, power and shrinking demand weak political concerns over global warming. Attempts to use the Earth’s heat to generate power, known as geothermal energy, more has been hampered by technical problems and fears that pressing it can cause earthquakes.
Even so, the federal Government Google , and investors are interested enough to bet $ 43 million on Oregon. They help AltaRock energy, Inc. of Seattle and Davenport Newberry Holdings LLC of Stamford, Conn., indicates whether the next level in the development of geothermal power can work on hip Newberrry volcanoes, located about 20 miles south of Bend, Oregon
“We know there’s hot,” said Susan Petty, President AltaRock. “The big problem is we can circulate water through the system in order for enough of the economy.”