Google digs into wallet for geothermal energy

Google is investing $10 million in "enhanced" geothermal systems--essentially technology for tapping underground heat--which it says is one of most promising forms of renewable energy.

Through its philanthropic arm Google.org, the Internet giant will invest in two geothermal technology start-up companies and give a university grant to study the potential of geothermal resources.

Heat underfoot: a Google Earth representation of geothermal resources. Click the image for a larger view.

(Credit: Google Earth)

The move is part of Google.org's RE<C (shorthand for Renewable Energy Less than Coal), an initiative with the goal of producing one gigawatt of electricity--larger than a typical coal-fired power plant--through renewable sources.

Google has invested in solar thermal companies eSolar and BrightSource Energy as well as wind company Makini Power. It has also installed a large 1.6-megawatt solar array, established a plug-in hybrid station at its headquarters, and spearheaded energy-efficient computing programs like Climate Savers.

The latest investments are meant to spur development of geothermal, which a Massachusetts of Institute of Technology study last year found was underutilized. Like fossil fuel power plants, geothermal plants can supply electricity during peak times, while wind and solar have limitations in this regard.

Mixing water and hot rocks
The two companies Google is investing in--AltaRock Energy and Potter Drilling--focus specifically on so-called enhanced geothermal technology.

Typically, geothermal plants, which are in the Western U.S., tap into existing wells of hot water or steam thousands of feet underground. The retrieved hot water or steam turns a steam turbine to make electricity.

Enhanced geothermal technology pumps water underground to crack hot rocks. The heated water or steam is captured to turn a turbine and then pumped back down underground.

The U.S. Department of Energy says that these advanced techniques can dramatically increase geothermal potential--by 40 times.

"EGS (enhanced geothermal systems) could be the 'killer app' of the energy world. It has the potential to deliver vast quantities of power 24/7 and be captured nearly anywhere on the planet. And it would be a perfect complement to intermittent sources like solar and wind," Dan Reicher, director of climate and energy initiatives for Google.org, said in a statement.

Google is putting $6.25 million into AltaRock Energy, part of a larger $26.5 million second round of investment. First round investors included high-profile green-tech venture capital firms Khosla Ventures and Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers.

AltaRock Energy is looking to develop a cost-effective method for pumping water underground and recuperating it. It plans to launch a pilot project and is targeting utilities in Western U.S. states that have renewable energy mandates.

Google.org will also invest $4 million in two separate "tranches" into Potter Drilling, which is making drilling products designed for hard-rock environments like granite. The technology can also be used for carbon capture and storage and nuclear waste storage.

Meanwhile, Southern Methodist University's Geothermal Lab will get a $489,521 grant to study the size and distribution of geothermal energy resources in North America.

While geothermal power plants are now in the Western U.S., the MIT study found that large-scale geothermal power production can be done in some parts of the Eastern U.S.

In an FAQ, Google.org said that development of enhanced geothermal systems means that renewable energy "could conceivably be deployed almost anywhere, and is essentially limitless in supply."

Reicher said enhanced geothermal system technology "hasn't received the attention it merits." Google.org is pressing for policies and commercial investment to better encourage EGS development.

Google is also said to have been in discussions with Israeli geothermal company Ormat Technologies.

For a discussion about Google.org's geothermal investment and the growing interest in clean tech, see the Daily Debrief video.

[Michael too]

So, if everyone across the world starts tapping into geothermal energy will that have a measurable cooling effect on the earth over time? What does it mean if the core cools and we no longer have continents that 'float' on magma??

[theBike45]

Geothermal in "large quantities" is simply not available and not practical. There is also the issue of triggering earthquakes as the energy is extracted. We are a LONG, LONG way from getting much out of geothermal. Like so much alternative junk (like wind) it sounds a lot
better than it turns out to be. This country is practically illiterate about energy technologies. But that doesn't seem to prevent idiot media outlets from publishing some really ignorant copy. Google seems to design its earth saving schemes fro maximum press coverage and minimum cost or prospect of success.

[jjldp]

I think that you are the illiterate in this matter or are some investments in tradicional energy. Read what is happening all around the world with alternative energy sources. Unless you are the only "smart"

[Manhattan2]

Google needs to look at more Sensible Ventures!

[contentcreator--2008]

Tapping a lot of geothermal energy will make the earth's surface HOTTER (not cooler), making global warming worse. It amounts to moving heat from the interior (which gets a tiny bit cooler) to the surface. By contrast, solar power captures and uses existing incoming solar energy that would substantially get absorbed anyway .

[mpgreer]

wow, what's with the naysayers. downers. i'm glad google is optimistic and willing to try something. earthquakes would be bad, no more magma would be bad. but sitting around being grouchy isn't helping.

[fireofenergy]

Wow, I thought I was negative by thinking "but won't the water cool the rocks such that we would have to continuously drill elsewhere?" Or... Would the Earth's heat transfer heat back into those rocks faster than we can extract it? Anyways, "they" KNOW much more about these ?'s than any of the above nay sayers! I also KNOW that ALL forms of energy = the same amount of heat no matter how efficient. It's called thermodynamics, it all breaks down to heat.
#1, The only cooling effect is caused by no more co2 (in theoritical all renewable energy world). The interior of the planet would probably not even "feel" this extracted heat for millions of years since it is so many trillions of times larger than the mass we would heat.
#2, I don't see how earthquakes can be caused from a hole that does not empty`~' On the other hand, I've always wondered 'bout the big empties caused by oil depletion.
#3, What would be more sensible? something with already known pro's and con's? Why not try to learn something more challenging.
#4, Correct, but as mentioned above, only the thermo part of it is transfered (as is already the case with any of humanity's energy sources). With fossils, can someone tell me how much more so is the CO2 effect as a ratio to just thermo (and parking lots, ect)?
And finally, if we used billions of mirrors to do the solar power tower thing in mass, the reflection from those mirrors would probably help offset a small fraction of human caused heat. However, when due for recommisioning, just point mirrors skyward to reflect whatever amount is needed (since the sun itself would not be focused on generators anymore). That would be in effect a very large sunscreen in space... without having to launch a single load!
WE can do this GW reversal thing, cause if I can think it, someone else can do it even better!

[fireofenergy]

I might have to correct myself on #4 (since I am not a real scientist). With with surface "created" energy, I could safely assume that that heat would already be here anyways, as is the case of the sun baking the deserts. Imagine 10,000 sq mi of black solar panels...ehh!, so much worse than bright reflective mirrors.

[fireofenergy]

Back to #2, perhaps local cooling effects could? cause earthquakes? Sorry about the mis on thermal expansion/contraction.

[fireofenergy]

Back to # 2, sorry about the mis on thermal expansion/contraction which could? possibly lead to earthquakes?