Photo of the Newberry Volcano under Creative Commons
A new renewable energy source is being explored in Central Oregon and it has the potential to revolutionize energy within the state and significantly change how clean energy is produced.
What is it?
Super Hot Rocks (SHR) refers to extremely hot rock located beneath the Earth’s surface. They have intensely hot temperatures giving geothermal energy production the potential ability to produce five to ten times more electrical power than current systems. The Super Hot Rock system works by injecting water into deep, extremely hot rock formations. The water absorbs heat from the rock and returns to the surface as hot fluid or steam, which can then drive turbines to generate electricity.
SHR differs from typical geothermal because most geothermal systems tap into shallow heat reservoirs such as natural hot springs. Enhanced geothermal systems would drill thousands of feet down in order to access hotter temperatures that are more consistent.
Best Location for Super Hot Rock Energy
Scientists and Researchers have studied the Newberry Volcano in Central Oregon for a long time. As a significant geothermal site in the United States, it has been studied the last 50 years. The Newberry project is currently a demonstration site. Electricity is not yet being produced commercially, and the technology is still being developed.
Mazama Energy is a geothermal technology company that has been pushing the frontier on Super Hot Rock energy. Mazama Energy announced the creation of the world’s hottest Enhanced Geothermal System. This was at the Newberry Volcano with a record temperature of 629 °F. This is a key breakthrough that marks a big step towards electricity being produced with a smaller carbon footprint. Especially during any weather condition and lasting for 24 hours a day.
In the past, one of the main limitations of geothermal energy is that it is heavily dependent on location. Conventional geothermal is used in places where hot water and steam are naturally occurring. However, because these natural elements are necessary, geothermal is only accessible for certain areas. With the introduction of Super Hot Rocks, there is potential to change as enhanced geothermal systems would inject water into hot rock. This creates artificial reservoirs
What South Salem High School’s Environmental Teacher has to Say
South Salem High School teacher Amorette Drexler has been involved in environmental education since 2017. She believes that Super Hot Rocks could hold potential, specifically within Oregon.
“I think it is very exciting because geothermal technology is not available everywhere. It is a good reminder that we live in a volcanic area, even if it doesn’t always feel like it,” Drexler said.
SHR builds on existing geothermal and oil drilling technologies, but still requires new high-temperature engineering advances.
“There are possibilities to use existing infrastructure from other fossil fuel systems and repurpose them for geothermal energy capture and dispersal,” Drexler said.
With any new technology, there are drawbacks. For Super Hot Rocks the main concerns are greater induced seismicity risk and well design.
Induced seismicity is when small earthquakes are caused by injecting water into deep rock formations. While most events are minor, researchers are still studying how SHR systems may affect underground fault lines.
“Destabilizing the Earth’s crust always gives me pause, and though this is not exactly like fracking, we have seen issues with quakes or water tables issues with drilling into the Earth.” Drexler said.
Though there are some potential issues with Super Hot Rocks, they still have many benefits such as almost zero greenhouse gases, being highly accessible, and being energy dense. Additionally, if SHR became widescale, the risks could be further studied and addressed as the technology develops.
Many of these concerns and benefits will not be known until more time has passed and new technologies have been experimented with.
“Any time we try something new, or a new application of an existing technology, then we will be learning about drawbacks and challenges in real time, so we may have to see how this goes.” said Drexler.
