Getting Grounded: Volcanoes and electricity (geothermal)

Deep underground is a heat source that fuels hot springs, volcanoes, and potentially an increasing amount of Oregon's energy and electricity needs.

On this episode of Getting Grounded, our energy fundamentals series of mini episodes, we're joined by Rob Del Mar, ODOE senior policy analyst to discuss geothermal.

The Oregon Energy Strategy identified geothermal as a cost-effective emerging resource for electricity. Previously, locating a source of hot water under the earth was required. Now, with emerging technology studied at places like the Newberry Volcano, surface water can be pumped down to hot rock to generate electricity. The new technology removes the challenge of locating an underground hot water source to start a geothermal project.

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