Google begins operation of geothermal power plant using world's first technology
Google, which has a goal of operating on 100% carbon-free electricity by 2030, announced on November 28, 2023 that it will begin operating a geothermal power plant in Nevada, USA, that uses an 'enhanced geothermal system.' It has started. This is the world's first operation of a geothermal power plant using an enhanced geothermal system.
Google and Fervo launch first-of-its-kind geothermal project
A New Type of Geothermal Power Plant Just Made the Internet a Little Greener | WIRED
https://www.wired.com/story/new-geothermal-power-plant-made-the-internet-a-little-greener/
Google's new geothermal energy project is up and running - The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/28/23972940/google-data-center-geothermal-energy
In July 2023, Google announced that a demonstration of next-generation geothermal power generation technology jointly conducted with geothermal power generation startup Fervo Energy was successful.
Startup achieves breakthrough in next-generation geothermal power generation technology ``enhanced geothermal system'', plans to supply power to Google's data center - GIGAZINE
Michael Terrell, Google's senior director of energy and climate, updated his official blog on November 28th, saying, 'Today, our geothermal project comes online and brings carbon-free energy to the local power grid that connects to our data centers in Nevada.' We are pleased to announce that power has started to be delivered,” he said, announcing that the power generation project has officially begun operations.
Ordinary geothermal power generation is often constructed in places where hot water such as hot springs and geysers is easily available, so at the time of writing this article, it accounts for only a small portion of the clean energy produced in the world. Additionally, since water is pumped from underground, there is a risk of ground subsidence.
On the other hand, ``Enhanced geothermal systems (EGS),'' which have recently started operating in Nevada, generate electricity using ``artificial hot springs'' that drill holes in dry rock, inject water, raise it to a high temperature, and then return it to the surface. , it can be used even in places where there is geothermal heat but no hot water. In addition, it provides a more stable energy supply than wind power generation and solar power generation, which are susceptible to weather and time of day, and the fact that water is reused is particularly useful in areas prone to water shortages, such as Nevada. It is important.
According to Fervo Energy CEO Tim Latimer, the output is 3.5 MW (megawatts), which is equivalent to 750 households, and although it has not reached the originally expected 5 MW, higher output can be expected if adjustments are made. Mr Latimer described the new technology as 'the missing middle of energy investment', with the upfront costs of drilling deep into solid rock and the risk of not getting enough heat.
Google also announced a partnership with another geothermal power project, Project InnerSpace, in September 2023. Additionally, Fervo Energy plans to start operating a 400MW geothermal power generation project in 2026.
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