Solving for Climate Dr Marit Brommer: Why don’t we use more geothermal energy?
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Jun 24, 2025 Dr. Marit Brommer, the Head of the International Geothermal Association, passionately argues for the untapped potential of geothermal energy to revolutionize our power sources. She discusses how it currently accounts for less than 0.5% of global electricity and outlines the vast benefits it offers for heating and renewable energy generation. Marit highlights successful case studies, the need for supportive policies, and the challenges of transitioning from fossil fuels. With advancements in technology, she envisions a future where geothermal is a major player in sustainable energy.
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Geothermal's Versatile Power Potential
- Geothermal provides baseload power, heating, and cooling, operating 24/7 with high capacity factors for long-term use.
- High temperatures needed for electricity are location-specific, but mid-temperature geothermal heating is nearly everywhere accessible.
Geothermal Success Stories
- Kenya gets 45% of its electricity from geothermal, averting widespread darkness.
- El Salvador generates over 65% of its electricity from geothermal, leveraging its volcanic resources.
Why Geothermal Lags Behind
- Geothermal is vastly underutilized despite huge potential due to geography, lack of political will, and fossil fuel industry inertia.
- Fossil fuels remain cheaper and politically entrenched, making geothermal scaling difficult even though it is clean and firm.