According to SMU, the heat resources are estimated to be capable of producing about 2,980,295 MW of power, roughly ten times the installed capacity of U.S. coal power plants today. The researchers believe that there is enough geothermal energy to justify commercial energy production using enhanced geothermal systems (EGS). The released map (Google Earth KML File) suggests there is accessible heat of up to 250 degrees Celsius (482 degrees Fahrenheit) in vast areas of Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, and Oregon (in a depth of 6.5 km, whereas a depth of 6.5 km to 10 km is considered as “theoretical potential”).

SMU said that a reliable production of clean energy is possible with temperatures of at least 100 degrees Celsius or 212 degrees Fahrenheit. The published data is based on close to 35,000 data sites, but SMU researchers believe they will get even better results down the road. “This assessment of geothermal potential will only improve with time,” said David Blackwell, professor of geophysics, at SMU. “Our study assumes that we tap only a small fraction of the available stored heat in the Earth’s crust, and our capabilities to capture that heat are expected to grow substantially as we improve upon the energy conversion and exploitation factors through technological advances and improved techniques.”

Google sponsored the study with a grant in the amount of $489,521.

SOURCE via SMU