New Drilling Technology Could Help Power the Globe
by Jane Marsh
For decades, oil companies have focused on finding new reserves of fossil fuels. However, as we move into a new era of climate change awareness, it’s time to start thinking about tapping into the Earth’s other natural resources.
One particularly promising area is known as enhanced geothermal. This process involves drilling deep down into the Earth and releasing steam from inside geothermal reservoirs. It produces clean energy, lessens dependence on fossil fuels, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions over conventional power generation methods.
Why Use Geothermal Power?
Geothermal power derives energy from the natural heat of the Earth’s core — making it one of the most renewable sources in the world. In fact, there are more than 10,000 megawatts of geothermal capacity worldwide — enough to power approximately 10 million homes.
Geothermal harnesses heat from rocks, water, and steam beneath the Earth’s surface. It’s carbon neutral and widely available for use.
Geothermal power plants don’t rely on wind and solar energy, so they provide a reliable source of electricity on cloudy days or after dark — where other generation forms fail.
How Does Geothermal Power Work?
Geothermal takes advantage of natural heat reservoirs just below the surface of the Earth’s crust, drawing out steam and hot water to drive turbines for electricity generation.
Drillers access these reservoirs by drilling deep into the ground. As you might expect, geothermal uses more water than other types of renewable energy — but it’s still a relatively low-impact process.
Once drillers pump the water out of underground wells, they can use it to drive turbines and generate electricity.
There is a catch, though. Drilling is required to access the reservoir, which makes the process slow, inefficient, and more expensive. Plus, the deeper you drill toward the Earth’s core, the hotter it gets.
This makes it challenging to reach those depths because the hot temperatures tear the drill bits into pieces. However, a new drilling method could increase geothermal output and make it more sustainable.
A New Drilling Technology That Has the Potential to Replace Fossil Fuels
The drilling technology called “laser in-situ kerogen conversions” (LISC) could be the next step in powering our planet. The technique uses lasers to drill deep underground and gets its power from plasma. The plasma is created by a magnetic field, generating electricity that drillers can use to power the drill itself.
Drillers can utilize the lasers to blast holes into bedrock with a high-powered beam. It then heats rocks’ temperatures high enough to crack the ones filled with water or solids like sand or graphite.
When these materials are subjected to pressure from deep underground, they become hot enough to break down into hydrogen or methane gas — where we gain an endless energy source.
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Laser Fracking
Laser fracking allows you to accelerate the natural process of gas extraction. It’s much faster than traditional drilling — a single fracking well takes only two weeks to complete compared with months or years for other methods.
Since laser fracking doesn’t require any water, it could solve problems caused by drought while also limiting environmental contamination.
However, there are still a lot of unanswered questions about laser fracking. This is the first time anyone has tried this method, and many experts have expressed skepticism about its feasibility. For one, the lasers used in this process are costly. As you can imagine, building a giant laser system isn’t cheap.
It’s also possible for this technique to cause earthquakes. Fracking involves injecting fluids into rock formations at high pressures, which cause them to crack and release natural gas. This process has been linked to several seismic events over the past few years, including one in Texas that registered a magnitude 4.0 earthquake in 2018. So far, researchers haven’t found any evidence that laser fracking causes quakes — but they’re still looking into it.
What Does This Mean for the Future?
Despite some of the challenges laser drilling presents, this new technology could be the game changer for the future of energy. Drilling into geothermal sources is tricky and expensive, but it’s also incredibly rewarding.
These sources offer an almost limitless supply of renewable energy. Until now, scientists haven’t been able to tap deep enough into the reservoirs to make them viable for large-scale use. Once they get past this bottleneck, everything will fall into place.
Laser drilling will enable people to harness the heat below their feet to energize homes, power factories and even run cars.
The next step is to build a plant that can use the technology on a larger scale. If all goes well, this new drilling method could make geothermal energy an affordable solution for countries worldwide. People will no longer need to rely on fossil fuels, which are running on low reserves.
Harnessing the Power of Geothermal Sources
Laser drills may not be the all-in-one solution for the world’s energy needs, but they could certainly power many of them. It’s an exciting time for engineers and scientists worldwide as they continue researching how to harness natural resources. This new drilling technology will enable producing more efficient, clean energy sources.
Article by Jane Marsh
Jane works as an environmental and energy writer. She is also the founder and editor-in-chief of
GCT Featured Articles
Oslo, Norway – Eco-Capital
Oslo: Net Zero Future | Oslo has fleets of clean mass public transit - trams, electric buses and ferries - powered...
Read PostClimate Solution – Sustainable Agriculture
Benefits of Sustainable Agriculture | Sustainable ag. turns farms into thriving biodiverse lands that produce...
Read PostSustainable City – CHICAGO
Chicago might not be widely known as a green city, however, the city has a Sustainable Action Agenda, a vast network...
Read PostVauban and the Plus-Energy Sun Ship
Vauban is an exemplary sustainable town and a zero-emission district. Most energy for buildings is from rooftop solar...
Read PostRegenerative Agriculture
Regenerative ag. creates carbon sinks; turning farms into healthy ecosystems that sequester carbon with vibrant plant...
Read PostAustin, Texas – A Sustainable City
Eco-friendly Capital | Austin is emerging as a leader in renewable energy, community solar, and LEED building efficiency...
Read Post12 Ways You Can Help the Environment
Lower your carbon footprint, save energy, and help the environment. Here are 12+ actions for sustainable individuals...
Read Post10 Ways to Reduce Food Waste
by Jane Marsh | Significant amounts of food waste originate from cities. Urbanites can use food waste reduction methods...
Read PostModern Sustainable Waste Management Technologies
5 Ways for SMART Cities to Implement Sustainable Waste Management | by Jane Marsh | Cities are implementing zero-waste...
Read Post5 Categories of Change in Climate
Climate change is adversely affecting all parts of the earth. There have been dramatic increases in greenhouse gas emissions...
Read Post10 Ways Smart Cities Improve Worker Safety
10 IoT Technologies for Sustainable Smart Cities | by Jane Marsh | As the conversation around greenhouse gas...
Read PostProfiles in Sustainable Cities – San Diego, California
Sustainable cities, like San Diego, have eco-city designs that prioritize consideration of social, economic, and environmental...
Read PostOffshore Wind Farms in the United States | Block Island Leads the Way
First of many US offshore wind farms | The United States' 1st operational offshore wind farm is the Block Island...
Read PostClean Energy Jobs are UP, and RE cost is down
Clean Energy JOBS | The future of employment in the energy sector is in clean energy, energy efficiency, and renewable...
Read PostKamuthi Solar Project, Bhadla Solar Park; and the largest solar PV farms in India, China, and other countries
Featuring over 2.5 million individual solar PV modules, and on 2,500 acres, in the town of Kamuthi in the Ramanathapuram...
Read PostUsing Technology to Provide Clean Water to Cities
How Technology Can Help Cities Avoid Another Flint Water Crisis | Article by Jane Marsh | The green movement is influencing...
Read PostHow Safe & Clean is Nuclear ☢️ Energy?
When looking at climate solutions for clean energy generation, it is prudent to look at all clean energy sources. Nuclear...
Read PostMicrogrids spread across Africa
Developing Microgrids | As African nations push for rural electrification, many look to microgrids as a sustainable...
Read PostFuture Generations of Batteries
Next generation li-ion batteries | Next-gen lithium-ion (li-ion) batteries can charge quickly, are rechargeable,...
Read PostClean Hydrogen Power
Hydrogen (H2) and the Clean Energy Transition | Hydrogen created with clean energy is one of the most promising...
Read PostNuclear – necessary energy
Both nuclear and renewable energy are needed in the global energy mix to help fight climate change. In order to cut...
Read PostCOP21 – good news for the planet
NDCs and Net Zero Pledges | At COP21, commonly referred to as the Paris Climate Accord, nations sent representatives...
Read PostPlan for the Expansion of Smart Meter Infrastructure
Modern SMART Meters | Many buildings in America today still rely on inefficient energy infrastructure, such as older...
Read PostRecycling – how we are doing as a global community; waste-to-energy
Effective waste management strategies for cities include citywide recycling programs, circular economy strategies, as...
Read PostPermanent ban on new coal mines and other sustainability priorities
Strategies for mitigating climate change | What are the best strategies for mitigating global warming? How is the...
Read Post10 Sustainable Technologies Improving Air Quality in Cities
GREEN Tech for Healthy Air | Article by Jane Marsh | Cities are the heart of every global region. They are headquarters...
Read PostShortfall in International GHG Reduction Pledges
Is the World Going to Meet its Climate Targets? There is a substantial shortfall between GHG emission reduction pledges...
Read PostThe Global Fight Against Climate Change; NDCs and Net Zero Targets Worldwide
Nationally Determined Contributions | As part of the ongoing global battle against climate change, almost 200 countries...
Read PostBreakthroughs in Solar Photovoltaic (PV) and Solar Thermal Technology
Solar - the most abundant renewable energy on the planet | Recently there have been dramatic breakthroughs in solar...
Read PostRenewable Energy – Breakthroughs in Wind Energy
Onshore Wind Farms - Cheap and Clean Energy | Onshore wind farms now provide the least expensive form of energy, renewable...
Read PostEconomy vs. the Environment
Economic growth does not have to come at the expense of the environment. Sustainable technologies (such as renewable...
Read PostDesalination – Clean Water for a Thirsty World
The two desalination plants featured below; one in Carlsbad (San Diego county, California - featured photo), and one...
Read Post10 Countries Promoting the use of Electric Vehicles (EVs)
Why Is There A Need For EVs Globally? In its World Energy Outlook, the International Energy Agency identifies pathways...
Read PostSmart City Energy Infrastructure
Updating Infrastructure for Developing Renewable Energy in Cities | People-centered smart cities are cropping up worldwide....
Read PostEVs and the Future of Urban Transit
Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure | What will be done to develop electric vehicle infrastructure? With cars that...
Read PostThe Role of E-mobility Trends in Decarbonizing Transport
Decarbonizing the Transportation Sector with E-mobility | It's no secret that transportation is a major source of...
Read PostPutting a Price on Carbon
Carbon Markets | Carbon cap and trade systems are regulatory policies in which countries, provinces, states, and even...
Read PostReforestation
Deforestation and solutions; including reforestation | Deforestation of our planet, for centuries, has led to issues...
Read PostThe UNFCCC
UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) – Conference of the Parties | World leaders, dignitaries,...
Read PostCarbon tax – a levy on pollution whose time has come
Defining effective carbon taxes | A carbon tax is a levy in countries and regions on: fossil fuel power plants, oil...
Read PostImproving energy efficiency
Energy Efficiency Foundations for Green Building: Energy Star, LED and CFL Lights, LEED technologies When it comes to...
Read PostDecoupling and Divestment to Reach Sustainability
Economic Growth Without Environmental Impact Decoupling in eco-environmental terms can be defined as economic growth...
Read PostISEGS – A Shining Example of Concentrated Solar Power (CSP)
Ivanpah Solar Electrical Generating System (ISEGS) Ivanpah Solar Electrical Generating System (ISEGS) is a 392 MW solar concentrated...
Read PostCar-sharing and Ride-hailing
Sustainable Commuting | Many ride-sharing fleets are converting to electric cars. Car-sharing (a.k.a. ride-sharing)...
Read PostCalifornia – Current Progress of a Climate Champion
Learning From California's Struggle to Balance Decarbonization With Energy Resilience | Since California passed the...
Read PostA Close Look at San Diego’s HERO Program
San Diego, Green Buildings, HERO Program | The importance of green energy for use in homes and businesses is becoming...
Read Post