Talking about Renewable Energy on Statewide Nevada

I have to say that the hosts of these radio shows on which I’m a guest ask some good questions. The fellow this morning, Rodd Stowell of Statewide Nevada (syndicated to 150 stations) asked a great deal about geothermal. “This sounds really promising,” he said. “One local plant started off with four holes, and now they have 12. What’s not to like about that?”

I explained that the answer is actually implied in the question. “Note that they didn’t know what they’d find when they drilled their first hole; it’s oddly reminiscent of oil exploration 100 years ago. If technology existed to tell them what they’d find in advance, they would have drilled all 12 simultaneously. But there was a chance they’d come up empty. Not only do you have to find heat, but you have to find porosity between two points far underground, and that’s iffy,” I replied.

“But won’t there come a day when they can use advanced electronics to see what’s down there?” he asked – a perfectly good question too.

“Yes, but it’s not right around the corner,” I cautioned. “Yet what IS right around the corner is half a dozen competing technologies all gaining ground in terms of cost reduction and efficiency increase. It’s risky stuff.”

And I love how these hosts are so generous in terms of promoting the book. “Sounds like a terrific read, Craig! Where can we get it?”

How kind of you to ask, Rodd.