Climate tech: Could geothermal work for larger apartment complexes?
Geothermal breakout
Geothermal systems use the Earth’s temperature as a way
to heat and cool buildings. It involves drilling down hundreds of feet and using a series of pipes to harness the constant heat stored deep in the ground. For a deep dive on the tech, check out this seriously comprehensive explainer from Vox. Historically, geothermal is used in single-family homes or small buildings. But recently, a massive 5-building, 834-unit apartment complex has garnered a lot of attention for its geothermal system in Brooklyn. Developers expect it will drop emissions by 53 percent and cost about 6 percent more to build, according to CNBC. The extra construction cost is a drop in the bucket compared to the fines New York buildings might face if owners and operators fail to reduce emissions.
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Geothermal has existed for a while, but it hasn’t broken out as a leader in the market. At least not yet, according to advocates of the energy source citing a few interesting projects. In Paris, some apartment blocks use geothermal wells for heat. In California, a major geothermal power plant recently opened. And Iceland uses geothermal plants to capture carbon from the air and sequester it underground. Plus, Croatia revised regulations in 2016 so that old oil and gas wells can be used for geothermal projects.
Why isn’t geothermal more widespread?
The biggest advantage to geothermal power is its small footprint — it can generate a lot more electricity per square foot than wind or solar which require a significant amount of land to make any power, the Washington Post reports. It could even provide the oil and gas an opportunity: Geothermal needs innovation and expertise in drilling technology which oil and gas workers have in abundance, Vox points out. So why hasn’t it taken off? The trouble with geothermal is that its a more complex system to maintain than more traditional options, plus there are high up-front costs and it requires a specialized installation. And, just like with solar and wind, there are land requirements. Not every region is suited for geothermal. However, as the demand for more renewable energy sources increases geothermal could keep trending up.
The energy transition brings new innovation to the tech required for geothermal. So, now is a good time to start paying attention. “After many years of failure to launch, new companies and technologies have brought geothermal out of its doldrums, to the point that it may finally be ready to scale up and become a major player in clean energy,” writes Vox.
