Zanskar Argues for Terawatts of U.S. Geothermal — SkimNews
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- Zanskar argues the West holds roughly 10 times more undiscovered conventional geothermal sites than the USGS estimates, with each capable of producing about 10 times more power.
- USGS estimated in 2008 that the United States had 9,000 megawatts of discovered geothermal potential and another 30,000 megawatts undiscovered, using exploration data largely from the 1970s and 1980s.
- Joel Edwards says viable systems require two ingredients: exceptionally hot rock and naturally open pathways that let fluids circulate, a combination that is harder to locate than heat alone.
- Carl Hoiland says conventional exploration stalled after high failure rates discouraged investment, while modern neural networks can now analyze the sparse and messy historical datasets.
- Zanskar reported finding a blind Nevada system last year with no surface indicators or prior exploratory wells, then using it to repower a plant previously written off in New Mexico.
- NV Energy signed a 100-megawatt power purchase agreement with Zanskar for firm power intended to help supply Amazon data centers.
- Conventional geothermal remains geographically constrained because suitable systems cluster around tectonic and volcanic activity and are found mainly in the western United States.
Why it matters: If Zanskar’s field program confirms its estimate of 10 times more sites and 10 times more power per site, utilities and data-center buyers would gain firm, carbon-free supply beyond the USGS’s 30,000-megawatt ceiling. The constraint is geology: conventional systems still need hot, naturally permeable rock and remain concentrated in the West.
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