Why hasn't there been much talk about geothermal power as an alternative energy source?

Question

There's a lot of talk about wind and solar power, but both sources are variable--the wind doesn't always blow with the same intensity day after day throughout the year, and solar energy doesn't do much when it's cloudy and raining out.

But, with an inexhaustable source of energy just 10 miles below our feet, why don't we exploit it more? I

If Iceland can do it, why can't we?

Besides, with all of the drilling energy being used to search for oil, why not "follow the heat", instead?

I've heard that just 5 miles underground, the rocks and soil are 300 degrees Fahrenheit, more than hot enough to boil water?

The way I see this, it's like being on an iceberg (tectonic plate), and searching for water, (liquid rock)!

Answer 1

Geothermal generators only occur in places where there are forces which bring material from the earth's mantle closer to the crust. That is why Iceland is the ideal place for Geothermal power because of the volcanos and earthquakes that occur on a regular basis.

Answer 2

There actually has been quite a lot of talk about the subject in areas where geothermal energy may be possible. Unfortunately your reference to the fact that basically everywhere there is a 300 degrees temp 5 miles underground doesn't help. This is only a small differential in temperature and its benefit would be lost from costs to reach that depth. Also only a minuscule amount of water could be heated in the small hole at a depth of 5 miles. But this would be at 5 miles and it would cool before it reached the surface so not work as a power source.

Answer 3

It is not suitable for all the places. Using Geo thermal energy will spoil the ecological balance.

Answer 4

Geothermal depends upon favourable geology that doesn't exist in very many places (Iceland is one of the places where it can work well).

Where geothermal can work it's a good solution but in the end we'll likely end up having to mine Uranium if we want reliable electricity without CO2.

Answer 5

All talk and no action.  I wonder why?

Actually, I wonder not.  I know that is just the tip of the energy iceberg.

Zero Point energy, Anti Gravity, perpetual motion magnetic motors (as perpetual as the components limited life span) ....  Pointless drivel, or under funded and suppressed technology?

Wind, Solar power and geothermal exist on the market only because of there limitations and cost.

The others are not available on the market because of their overwhelming potential to drop a proverbial Atomic Bomb on the heavily monopolized energy industry.

Believe what you will....  But I know who killed the electric car.... And thousands of other 'pie in the sky' solutions to the energy crisis.

Henry Ford's first car made of and ran hemp as fuel.  Hemp!  You know... that killer drug that no one has been killed by.  

Hemp plastics, hemp paints, hemp oil as fuel, hemp clothing....

NO!  Ban it and use Crude.  Crude plastics, crude paints, crude oil as fuel, crude clothing....They can't find that in the back yard can they?

Why are we in Iraq again?  Oh yes... Iran.

The great war of dependence.

Unplug.....