This German town shows how new geothermal tech can make a difference

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Associated Press or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: The German town of Geretsried is hosting a major test for next-generation geothermal technology after previous efforts to extract geothermal energy failed
• Canadian company Eavor is launching its first commercial geothermal power plant, using deep drilling techniques adapted from the oil and gas industry
• This project could serve as a model for expanding geothermal energy worldwide

🔭 The context: Traditional geothermal energy relies on naturally occurring hot water near the surface, limiting its application to certain regions
• Eavor’s technology, called the “Eavor loop,” drills deep into hot, dry rock to create a closed-loop system, making geothermal energy viable in more locations
• The International Energy Agency (IEA) sees this as a breakthrough, with potential for global scalability

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: If successful, this technology could significantly reduce dependence on fossil fuels for heating and electricity
• Germany is shifting away from natural gas, especially after the Ukraine war, and aims to replace fossil-fuel-based heating systems with renewable energy
• The IEA believes deep-drilling geothermal could provide clean, stable energy to many countries, accelerating decarbonization

⏭️ What's next: The Geretsried plant will begin by generating electricity and later expand to provide district heating, a common system in Europe
• Eavor is also working on projects in Hanover, Germany, and licensing its technology to utilities worldwide
• With growing interest from investors, including Japan’s Chubu Electric, the future of geothermal energy could be entering a new phase

💬 One quote: “Geothermal can contribute to the global energy picture in an accelerated manner.” — Fatih Birol, IEA Executive Director

📈 One stat: Europe has 17,000 district heating networks serving 67 million people, many still dependent on fossil fuels

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