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LITTLETON, Colorado, Nov 4 (Reuters) – Breakthroughs in drilling methods and heat extraction techniques are widening the appeal of geothermal power systems across the world, and geothermal generation capacity is on track to double once projects currently in development are completed.
Currently, only around 2% of global energy generation comes from geothermal projects, according to Energy Institute data, which places the technology squarely in the niche category of the global energy mix.
However, around 35 countries or territories are constructing or have plans to build new geothermal capacity, according to Global Energy Monitor (GEM), creating the potential to make geothermal generation a more mainstream affair.
Of that total, 18 of those locations are already familiar with the technology and are within tectonically-active regions with high-temperature rock deposits relatively close to the earth’s surface.
Asia has the most capacity in development, followed by N. America. Africa will be the 3rd largest geothermal region after planned development
However, a nearly equal number of locations will be developing geothermal projects for the first time, which is a testament to the growing appeal of geothermal to power suppliers and the growing suitability of the technology to more locations.
Below is a roundup of the key geothermal hotspots around the world and the main markets to track for rapid expansions to geothermal generation capacity in the years ahead.
GEOTHERMAL GIANTS
Just 10 countries account for 94% of global geothermal capacity currently in operation.
In descending order of capacity, those countries are: the United States, Indonesia, the Philippines, Turkey, New Zealand, Mexico, Italy, Kenya, Iceland and Japan, GEM data shows.
Just over 16,000 megawatts (MW) of geothermal capacity is operating globally, according to GEM, with around 15,200 MW of that located within the top 10 geothermal producers.
All the top 10 countries are within tectonically-active zones that allow geothermal developers to tap high-heat zones just below the earth’s surface, and draw that heat up to create steam that drives turbines and generates power.
Because of that existing geothermal expertise, around 75% of the roughly 15,350 MW of new planned geothermal projects are slated to be within those top 10 geothermal producing countries.
The US is the top global geothermal producer by capacity, followed by Indonesia, The Philippines, Turkey & New Zealand
The U.S. leads the way with close to 4,300 megawatts (MW) of new geothermal capacity that is either already under construction or is in advanced planning stages.
Indonesia, Kenya and the Philippines have the next largest geothermal development pipelines, followed by Turkey and New Zealand.
DIGGING DEEPER AND WIDER
While most of the new geothermal projects are in countries already familiar with the technology and in locations with tectonic seams that allow developers to tap adjacent sub-surface heat zones, there are new frontiers in play.
Thanks in part to advancements that build on U.S. fracking techniques – which pioneered horizontal drilling and high-pressure fracturing of rock formations – geothermal projects can now be deployed outside of tectonically-active areas.
Fracking techniques allow developers to create new underground reservoirs in hot rock formations that can store water or can be adapted to closed-loop pipe systems that can drive steam turbines above ground.
Most current & planned geothermal projects are located in tectonically active regions with high temperatures near the earth’s surface
The ability to accurately drill far deeper than ever before also means that seams of high-temperature rock formations are now accessible in nearly all countries, and not just near natural hot springs.
These innovative approaches are leading to geothermal projects being developed outside the core areas in new markets such as Slovakia, the United Kingdom, Laos and Dominica, GEM data shows.
The deep drilling capabilities are also helping to boost the economics of geothermal projects, as the deeper reservoirs can heat water and steam to far higher temperatures than shallow projects, and lead to sharply higher energy output per well.
Deeper reservoirs are also often larger than formations nearer the surface, and so can keep larger volumes of water heated for longer than smaller wells located nearer the surface.
Mazama Energy, which is developing a geothermal project in Oregon, last month reported a well base temperature of 629 degrees Fahrenheit (331 degrees Celsius), which it claims is the hottest geothermal resource ever recorded.
The hot zone was tapped at around 10,000 feet (nearly 3 km) and is assumed to be replicable in other regions given the consistency of temperatures at that depth.
Drilling so far into the earth can be highly expensive and requires top-tier geologists and engineers on hand.
But such techniques have the merit of requiring far fewer drill holes than conventional geothermal systems, as super-hot wells can often produce multiple times the amount of energy than wells sourced from cooler rock formations.
As more pilot projects refine approaches and share results with the wider community, additional cost declines and efficiency gains are expected.
In turn, even more geothermal projects are expected to turn up in developer pipelines, potentially setting the stage for a years-long boom in geothermal project growth that could lift the technology from niche and localized to far more mainstream.
The opinions expressed here are those of the author, a columnist for Reuters.
Reporting by Gavin Maguire; Editing by Jamie Freed
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