World Geothermal Power Generation Nearing Eruption
World Geothermal Power Generation Nearing Eruption. With fossil fuel prices escalating and countries searching for ways to
reduce oil dependence and greenhouse gas emissions, capturing the
earth’s heat for power generation is garnering new attention. First
begun in Larderello, Italy, in 1904, electricity generation using
geothermal energy is now taking place in 24 countries, 5 of which use
it to produce 15 percent or more of their total electricity. In the
first half of 2008, total world installed geothermal power capacity
passed 10,000 megawatts and now produces enough electricity to meet the
needs of 60 million people, roughly the population of the United
Kingdom. In 2010, capacity could increase to 13,500 megawatts across 46
countries—equivalent to 27 coal-fired power plants.