The Future of GEOTHERMAL Energy – Impact of Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) on the United States in the 21st Century (14 Mb pdf) - Report prepared by an MIT-led interdisciplinary panel, was released to the public January 22, 2007. The report suggests that 100,000 MWe of electrical generation CAPACITY can be met through EGS within 50 years with a modest investment in R&D.

CAMBRIDGE, MASS., USA -- A comprehensive new MIT-led study of the potential for geothermal energy within the United States has found that mining the huge amounts of heat that reside as stored thermal energy in the Earth's hard rock crust could supply a substantial portion of the electricity the United States will need in the future, probably at competitive prices and with minimal environmental impact.

An 18-member panel led by MIT prepared the 400-plus page study, titled "The Future of Geothermal Energy." Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, it is the first study in some 30 years to take a new look at geothermal, an energy resource that has been largely ignored. (http://geothermal.inel.gov/publications/future_of_geothermal_energy.pdf)

Climate Change - EFFICIENCY and RENEWABLES (US)
http://www.ases.org/climatechange/toc.htm

Limiting CO2 levels in the atmosphere to 450-500 ppm means:
"Estimates are that industrialized nations must reduce emissions about 60% to 80% below today’s values by mid-century."

"The carbon-reduction potentials for the year 2030 total between 1,000 and 1,400 MtC/yr, or an average of about 1,200 MtC/yr based on a mid-range value for electricity-to-carbon conversion. This would put the U.S. on target to achieve the necessary carbon-emissions reductions by mid-century."

"RENEWABLE ENERGY has the potential to provide approximately 40% of the U.S. electric energy need projected for 2030 by the Energy Information Administration (EIA). After we reduce the EIA electricity projection by taking advantage of ENERGY EFFICIENCY measures, renewables could provide about 50% of the remaining 2030 U.S. electric need."

Potential carbon reductions (in MtC/yr in 2030) based on the middle of the range of carbon conversions.

• Energy efficiency 688
• Concentrating SOLAR POWER 63
• PHOTOVOLTAICS 63
• WIND 181
• BIOFUELS 58
• BIOMASS 75
• Geothermal 83
  

• An Assessment of Geothermal Resource Development Needs January 2007 (full report)
• EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - Geothermal Resource Development Needs Report - January 2007
• NREL Geothermal Potential Report
• A Handbook on the Externalities, Employment, and Economics of Geothermal Energy (Oct 2006)
• 2006 Update on US Geothermal Power Production and Development
• Geothermal Industry Employment
  Survey Results and Analysis September 2005
• Factors Affecting Cost of Geothermal Power Development