Steam building for Enhanced Geothermal Systems

A worthy alternative energy?

Perhaps according to Popsci, which claims that Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) could be 200 times cheaper and much more cost-effective than clean coal. Likewise, it is constant power, unlike solar power which requires sun shine and wind power which requires wind. And, thanks to Google and the Department of Energy, a number of EGS pilot projects are now under way, so we should soon know if geothermal is a legitimate alternative energy.

Can Google make renewable energy affordable?

Plug-in hybrids, renewable energy and the X-Prize

Google is quite an interesting company. First the company created a project to fund plug-in hybrid vehicles, then it joined the X-Prize and the private space race. Now Google wants to make renewable energy sources, especially solar, wind and geothermal, as cost-effective as coal as soon as possible.

Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) today announced a new strategic initiative to develop electricity from renewable energy sources that will be cheaper than electricity produced from coal. The newly created initiative, known as RE-C, will focus initially on advanced solar thermal power, wind power technologies, enhanced geothermal systems and other potential breakthrough technologies. RE-C is hiring engineers and energy experts to lead its research and development work, which will begin with a significant effort on solar thermal technology, and will also investigate enhanced geothermal systems and other areas. In 2008, Google expects to spend tens of millions on research and development and related investments in renewable energy. As part of its capital planning process, the company also anticipates investing hundreds of millions of dollars in breakthrough renewable energy projects which generate positive returns.