Enhanced geothermal creates its own reservoir with fracking
This system artificially replicates the geology needed for geothermal by using techniques from the oil and gas industry to fracture hot rocks deep underground.
Two wells are drilled thousands of feet below the surface vertically before extending horizontally.
1
Liquid is pumped underground at high pressure to create cracks in the rocks, in a process known as fracking.
2
Water is pumped through the cracks in the rocks, picking up heat as it travels.
3
The heated water is sent back to the
surface through the other well
where it’s used to run a
turbine to generate
electricity.
4
Two wells are drilled thousands of feet below the surface vertically before extending horizontally.
1
Liquid is pumped underground at high pressure to create cracks in the rocks, in a process known as fracking.
2
Water is pumped through the cracks in the rocks, picking up heat as it travels.
3
The heated water is sent back to the
surface through the other well
where it’s used to run a
turbine to generate
electricity.
4
Two wells are drilled thousands of feet below the surface vertically before extending horizontally.
1
Liquid is pumped underground at high pressure to create cracks in the rocks, in a process known as fracking.
2
Water is pumped through the cracks in the rocks, picking up heat as it travels.
3
The heated water is sent back to the surface through the other well where it’s used to run a turbine to generate electricity.
4
