Closed-Loop Geothermal Energy May Offer Constant Carbon-Free Electricity

 

Far beneath the surface of the earth, it is uniformly hot. The earth's mantle is an inexhaustible source of heat energy, which can be used to generate electricity with no carbon emissions, on a 24-7-365 basis, with or without sunlight or wind. Until now geothermal power has been viable only where super-heated water is relatively close to the surface. However, we are on the verge of developing the technology for closed- loop projects using injected fluids (which are recycled), which could be located practically  anywhere. Ironically, fracking may be the key, as Andy Kessler explains in today's Wall Street Journal.