Going Electric? Why Future Power Could Come From Hot Rocks
Want to go electric? We might need to dig a little deeper… into the Earth’s crust. Researchers and startups are testing new technology and drilling techniques to harness geothermal energy – heat from the Earth that can be used to generate electricity. It’s a renewable energy source that has been billed as a way to boost energy independence while reducing carbon emissions. But because of technical limitations, geothermal made up just 0.4% of all electricity generated in the U.S last year. The Biden Administration and energy giants such as Chevron are investing in geothermal, with the aim that your lights, your cell phone and your electric car might be powered by geothermal in the future. WSJ’s Alex Ossola explores what it will take for geothermal energy to scale. What do you think about the show? Let us know on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or email us: FOEPodcast@wsj.com Further reading: Can the Oil-and-Gas Industry Crack Geothermal Energy? ‘Deep Geothermal’ Promises to Let Drillers Go Deeper, Faster and Hotter The Next Bets for Renewable Energy Fracking for Geothermal Energy? Not So Fast The Race to Drill America’s Longest Oil and Gas Wells Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices