Interviews and Videos

ABC News Reports on Passing Solid Particles Through Rock in DOE-Sponsored Research at Stanford University

June 30, 2009

Advances in nanotechnology research & development hold potential for characterization of fracture systems in enhanced geothermal systems. DOE-sponsored research at Stanford University under the direction of Dr. Roland Horne is advancing the application of nanotechnology in determining fluid flow through enhanced geothermal system reservoirs at depth. The Stanford team successfully forced silicon-based nanospheres under pressure through rock fractures in the laboratory. This technology has the potential for mapping fracture systems in detail and aid in determining reservoir characteristics. This research was the subject of a recent report by ABC7News, KGO-TV San Francisco.

Ed Wall Interviewed by Clean Skies TV

March 6, 2009

The Morning Report with Susan McGinnis, of the CleanSkies.tv Energy News Center, focuses on the latest events and activities within the world of alternative energy development and production. On Monday, March 6, 2009, the Report included an interview with Ed Wall, Geothermal Technologies Program Manager, discussing current activities in geothermal technology. Once on the Morning Report Web site, click the Interactive Program Guide at the top of the screen, select March 6 from the dates on the right side of the screen, then scroll down until you reach The Energy Report. Select that and the video will begin. You may wish to watch the entire report, or you may move the timing bar to the 33:40 location, where Mr. Wall's segment begins.

Geothermal Energy Featured on NBC's Today Show

November 18, 2008

In Iceland, there are five major geothermal power plants which produce about 26% (2006) of the country's electricity. In addition, geothermal heating meets the heating and hot water requirements for around 87% of the nation's buildings. As part of its "Ends of the Earth" series, NBC's Today Show presented a feature on the use of geothermal energy in Iceland. You can view the video at the Today Show Web site. While this video report doesn't include staff or projects of the Geothermal Technologies Program, but it is very informational regarding geothermal as an alternative energy source.

Interview and Video at The Geysers Geothermal Complex

July, 2008

In July, 2008, Ed Wall, Manager of DOE's Geothermal Technology Program, toured The Geysers geothermal facility in Lake County, California. The Geysers is the world's largest geothermal power complex and is operated by Calpine. While visiting the plant, Wall was interviewed and included in a news video produced by the ABC News outlet in San Francisco, KGO-TV Channel 7.

In the interview, Ed noted that "M.I.T. did a study showing that 20 percent of electricity that is needed in the country can be generated from geothermal." Both DOE and Calpine are interested in a section of land at The Geyers, which is hotter and deeper, has no steam, but has plenty of potential. "What we're trying to do is engineer reservoirs," said Wall, in a process called Enhanced Geothermal Systems. Water is injected to increase the fracture system in the solid rock below and creating steam.

It's a significant undertaking, but with a large potential payoff. If engineers perfect the process here, they could apply it almost anywhere on the continent. Instead of burning gas of coal to turn turbines, we could mine the planet's heat, creating emission-free electricity. It's one possible answer to our present day energy woes from a million-year-old, natural miracle.