Project Pours Water into Volcano to Make Power

[IDemo]

by weather.com and The Associated Press

Geothermal energy developers plan to pump 24 million gallons of water into the side of a dormant volcano in Central Oregon this summer to demonstrate new technology they hope will give a boost to a green energy sector that has yet to live up to its promise.

They hope the water comes back to the surface fast enough and hot enough to create cheap, clean electricity that isn't dependent on sunny skies or stiff breezes - without shaking the earth and rattling the nerves of nearby residents.

Renewable energy has been held back by cheap natural gas, weak demand for power and waning political concern over global warming. Efforts to use the earth's heat to generate power, known as geothermal energy, have been further hampered by technical problems and worries that tapping it can cause earthquakes.

Even so, the federal government, Google and other investors are interested enough to bet $43 million on the Oregon project. They are helping AltaRock Energy, Inc. of Seattle and Davenport Newberry Holdings LLC of Stamford, Conn., demonstrate whether the next level in geothermal power development can work on the flanks of Newberrry Volcano, located about 20 miles south of Bend, Ore.

http://www.weather.com/outlook/weather-news/news/articles/volcano-water-project_2012-01-14

[eppur_se_muova]

1. Wasn't superheated seawater what made Krakatau explode so violently ?

I'm sure nothing could go wrong here.

[IDemo]

3. That was a popular theory, but it's not agreed upon by all geologists

In any event, the amount of water being discussed here pales in comparison to the volume that the Krakatau (or Krakatoa) eruption would have required. Plus, they're not trying to place it in direct contact with magma.

[wtmusic]

2. Weather Channel founder/denier John Coleman pushing propaganda

about "waning political concern over global warming"? I'm shocked!

[Kolesar]

11. I thought he sold TWC and moved on ... eom

[1monster]

4. I hope they've thought this through the WHOLE way. It's not like we know

Last edited Mon Jan 16, 2012, 12:09 PM - Edit history (1)

everything there is to know about volcanos, tectonics, and such things.

[Nihil]

5. "They hope the water comes back to the surface fast enough and hot enough ..."

"Yes, it's getting warmer! Yes it's getting ... oh sh*t ... RUN!!!"

[Javaman]

6. In other news...

Increased water vapor in the air due to climate change gives rise to heavier snow fall in winter.

Yeah, this won't hurt at all.

[IDemo]

7. Tell me you guys are kidding

Exploding volcanoes and the threat of increased snowfall?

The project is only pumping water down far enough to contact a rock layer which is hot enough to create steam, not come in contact with lava. And even if they did 'hit a gusher', it would not create another St. Helens or Krakatoa. They can detect this type of event during drilling and move elsewhere.

And I think you've reversed cause and effect on water vapor and climate change. As well, we're talking about a closed loop process here, not one which is going to vent large clouds of steam. And even if there were somehow a resultant increase in snowfall, it would be welcomed with open arms with the current drought.

[Dead_Parrot]

13. But dude, they're going to BLOW UP OREGON

It'll be just like this:

Except nobody will notice.

[Yo_Mama]

8. I don't think I'll move next to it

This is probably safe, but they really aren't sure just where that water is going to go.

Very interesting article, thanks for posting it. On the one hand, it seems like a good idea. On the other hand....

[ghostlake]

9. Nothing New

The article makes it seem like geothermal energy is something new.

Combining millions of gallons of water with a volcano and geothermal energy or, in a natural state, thermal features such as geysers and hot springs, are the result.

At Yellowstone National Park the partially melted rock, like a "gigantic slushee" in the words of park geologist Henry "Hank" Hesler, is anywhere from 3 to 8 miles beneath the surface.

Nothing new here.

[Kolesar]

10. Your subject line has a certain primeval imagery to it

Volcano...Make...Power!

[rms013]

12. We have been doing a similar thing for years

Check out the Geysers thermal power plant in Sonoma County. Also Iceland has been using geothermal for decades.