Geothermal Energy and Climate Change

Extraction of geothermal energy relies on existing technologies and engineering processes.  Geothermal is the only known source of renewable energy with a capacity to carry large base loads.

The concept behind Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) geothermal energy is relatively simple. Heat is generated by special high heat producing granites located 3km or more below the Earth's surface. The heat inside these granites is trapped by overlying rocks which act as an insulating blanket. The heat is extracted from these granites by circulating water through them in an engineered, artificial reservoir or underground heat exchanger.

EGS geothermal energy relies on existing technologies and engineering processes such as drilling and hydraulic fracturing, techniques established by the oil and gas industry. Standard geothermal power stations convert the extracted heat into electricity.

EGS geothermal energy is environmentally clean and does not produce greenhouse gases. It has been classified as renewable by national and international authorities.