Vithanage Erandi Kawshalya Madhushani Jade Times Staff
V.E.K. Madhushani is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Innovation.
The Untapped Power Beneath Our Feet
The Race to Harness Earth's Heat: Drilling Deeper for Geothermal Energy
Beneath the Earth's surface lies an almost limitless source of green energy geothermal heat. While some regions like Iceland benefit from easy access to this natural power source, most of the world must drill much deeper to tap into it. The race is on to unlock this sustainable energy and overcome the technical challenges of drilling into Earth's depths.
The Untapped Power Beneath Our Feet
Geothermal energy is unique among renewables because it’s “always on,” unlike solar and wind power. The heat originates from Earth’s molten core and the natural decay of radioactive elements in the crust. Globally, the energy lost into space each year could meet the planet's energy demands many times over.
Despite its vast potential, geothermal energy remains underutilized. Only 32 countries have geothermal power plants, with fewer than 700 plants generating around 97 Terawatt hours (TWh) in 2023. By comparison, solar power in the United States alone produces more than twice that amount.
However, studies suggest geothermal could contribute between 800 - 1400TWh of electricity annually by 2050, alongside 3,300–3,800TWh of heat, if we can overcome the hurdles of tapping deeper resources.
Geothermal Success Stories: Iceland as a Model
Iceland is a shining example of geothermal energy’s potential. With its volcanic activity and natural hot springs, the country easily accesses underground heat. Today, 85% of Icelandic homes are heated by geothermal energy, and 25% of its electricity comes from geothermal power plants.
Wells in Iceland typically reach depths of 1.5 miles (2.5 km), accessing temperatures as high as 350°C (662°F). At its main geothermal site in Reykjanes, experimental drilling has gone even deeper, tapping superheated fluids at 600°C (1,112°F). This energy source powers 720 Gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity per year.
But not all regions have Iceland’s geological advantage, where heat reservoirs are close to the surface. For most of the world, tapping geothermal energy requires drilling deeper and reaching temperatures of 374°C (705°F) or higher where water becomes supercritical, an energy-rich state between liquid and gas.
The Challenges of Deep Drilling
The deeper we drill, the hotter and more pressurized the environment becomes, presenting significant technical challenges. Traditional rotary drills, even those tipped with diamond, struggle with extreme temperatures, high pressures, and unpredictable geology. Drill components frequently fail, and keeping boreholes from collapsing or becoming blocked is a constant battle.
The cost is another obstacle. Drilling a 1-kilometer-deep well costs around $2 million, while deeper wells of 4–5 kilometers (2.5–3.1 miles) can cost $6–10 million. The deepest human-made hole the Kola Superdeep Borehole in Russia took nearly 20 years to reach 7.6 miles (12.2 km) and revealed the sheer difficulty of working at such depths.
Supercritical geothermal wells, though expensive, could be transformative. A single well has the potential to produce five to ten times more energy than conventional wells, significantly offsetting upfront costs over time.
Revolutionary Drilling Technologies
To overcome the limitations of traditional drilling, companies and researchers are developing innovative technologies.
1. Microwave-Based Drilling
Quaise Energy, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) spin-off, is pioneering millimeter-wave directed energy drilling. Using high-frequency beams, they vaporize rock by heating it to 3,000°C (5,432°F). This technique avoids the wear and tear of conventional drills and operates independently of depth. Field trials are slated for 2025, though adapting the technology for high-pressure subsurface environments remains a challenge.
2. Pulse Plasma Drilling
Slovakia-based GA Drilling employs pulse plasma technology, which uses short bursts of high-energy electric discharges to crumble rock without melting it. This technique eliminates the issues associated with molten debris and could make drilling to 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) more feasible.
3. Space Tech Meets Geothermal
Technologies developed for planetary exploration, such as circuits capable of withstanding Venus-like conditions, are being adapted for geothermal drilling. Companies like Ozark Integrated Circuits are creating electronics that can endure the extreme temperatures encountered deep underground.
4. AI Optimization
The US National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is leveraging artificial intelligence to analyze subsurface environments and identify optimal drilling locations. AI is also being used to predict and prevent equipment failures.
The Promise of Deep Geothermal Energy
Deep geothermal systems could revolutionize energy production, offering clean, consistent power even in urban areas. Innovative designs, such as Eavor’s closed loop systems, circulate water through underground radiators to extract heat without contamination risks or emissions of hazardous gases like hydrogen sulfide.
Retrofitting old fossil fuel plants with geothermal systems is another promising avenue. By repurposing steam generators and existing power infrastructure, countries can accelerate the transition to clean energy. Quaise Energy, for example, plans to convert an abandoned coal plant in New York into a geothermal power station by the end of the decade.
A Path to Clean Energy from Below
The challenges of drilling deep into Earth’s crust are formidable, but the rewards could be transformative. Superhot geothermal energy offers a sustainable, always available energy source that could reduce reliance on fossil fuels and provide heat and electricity to regions worldwide.
As new technologies emerge and investment grows, the question remains: can we dig deep enough to unlock the immense potential beneath our feet? The answer could shape the future of global energy.
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