· 2 min read
illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece here in The Independent or enjoy below
🗞️ Driving the news: Fervo Energy, a Houston-based startup, successfully completed a trial of a next-generation geothermal power system that used oil drilling technology to extract renewable energy
🔭 The context: The system used a drill that plunged 2.3km into the Earth’s surface to pump water into them
• Heated by the high temperatures deep underground, the water was then pumped back to the surface where turbines converted the heat into electricity
🌎 Why does it matter for the planet: The test resulted in a record-breaking power output for an enhanced geothermal system of 3.5 megawatts of electric production, enough to power more than 2,500 homes
• It marks a significant step towards the production of 24/7 carbon-free energy
⏭️ What's next: The technology sets the stage for Fervo Energy's plan to construct a 400MW project using its next-generation geothermal technology, which is expected to be online by 2028
💬 One quote: "By applying drilling technology from the oil and gas industry, we have proven that we can produce 24/7 carbon-free energy resources in new geographies across the world" (Tim Latimer, co-founder and chief executive of Fervo Energy)
Click for more news covering the latest on energy
