An essential pit stop included charging at Nephi’s Tesla Supercharger station where I’ve got my Model 3 equipped with a bike rack alongside two Cybertrucks at one of their newly installed fast-charging stations featuring output rates up to 250 kW—and they were almost fully occupied! Typically we limit our battery charge-up level below eighty percent due time constraints associated with reaching full capacity while traveling longer distances especially tangled bikes affixed behind our vehicle limit range options during side excursions.
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This image showcases my Tesla Model 3 charging alongside two nearing full Cybertrucks at Nephi’s station taken by Fritz Hasler on March 51St .
I was eager also have an additional fifteen-mile detour planned out which led me toward visiting Cove Fort’s geothermal energy plant located around ninety-two miles southward mentioned earlier—therefore I charged close enough up near ninety-three percentage efficiently utilizing Tesla navigation systems accurately pointed regarding route logistics en route…
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Exploring Geothermal Energy: A Journey to Cove Fort, Utah
Our recent adventure took us just south of the quaint town of Cove Fort, where we encountered a transition from paved roads to gravel and eventually to mud. The muddy path was dotted with ruts that were nearly one foot deep, making it a test of both skillful maneuvering and a bit of luck to avoid getting stuck. While my Tesla Model 3 is equipped with dual motors, its clearance is only about four to five inches—definitely not ideal for navigating through such challenging terrain.
The Contrast of Progress and Decay
The geothermal facility at Cove Fort stands in stark contrast to the surrounding rural landscape highlighted by an aged structure nearby. This Delphi plant may boast cutting-edge technology, yet the dilapidated house offers insight into the area’s remoteness. To provide context, consider that while the enormous Delta coal power plant generates 1900 megawatts, Cove Fort’s geothermal capacity pales in comparison at just 25 megawatts.
Not wanting to backtrack over those challenging muddy roads, we consulted a single employee at the plant for alternative directions. He guided us towards better-maintained gravel and asphalt routes while sharing exciting news: plans are underway for expanding this facility’s output approximately fourfold—to around 100 megawatts. Recently acquired by Ormat Technologies—a firm based out of Israel—this expansion will still leave Utah’s total geothermal energy production below 150 megawatts.
Figure 1: The Geothermal Facility at Cove Fort, Utah
Figure 2: An Old House Adjacent to the Geothermal Plant in Cove Fort
A Glimpse at Global Geothermal Energy Production
The largest geothermal energy facility on Earth resides within California’s Geysers region; this sprawling complex includes fifteen distinct plants contributing a combined output of approximately 1.2 gigawatts. One such installation can be seen below:
Figure 3: The Notable Geysers Geothermal Facility in California
U.S. vs World Production Numbers
The United States currently produces about 3.7 gigawatts from various geothermal sources predominantly located across western states like California, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Hawaii Idaho—and yes—Utah as well! When assessed against America’s total power generation capacity—which stands tall at approximately 1189 gigawatts , it’s clear that geothermal energy accounts for less than .3% .
Pushing beyond national borders reveals significant global contributions as well—with leading producers including Italy (home to notable facilities), Mexico (with its Cerro Prieto production site generating 820 megawatts) , and other nations like Indonesia and Iceland also stepping into prominence.10% of land can potentially harness current technologies for effective utilization!
An Appraisal Against Other Energy Sources
The world’s most substantial apt source remains China’s Three Gorges Dam with an astonishing output capability reaching up toward 22.5 gigawatts.
Baihetan Dam trails closely behind holding onto circa16 gigawatts .
A glance stateside alerts you toward Grand Coulee as our largest contributor sustaining roughly6..8 g WATTS .
Evolving Perspectives on Clean Energy Solutions!
Increasing allocations directed towards renewable sectors such as solar & wind have underscored discussions surrounding enhancing battery systems capable ruggedly tying them into grid standards during stagnant times (e.g., evenings when sunlight recedes). Presently holding rank among significant storage capabilities includes China’s Fengning pumped hydropower system boasting3..6 GW .
The Future of Geothermal Energy: Innovations and Insights
Overview of Renewable Energy Storage in the U.S.
The United States is a leader in battery energy storage systems, with significant projects such as the Edwards Sanborn Solar and Energy Storage Project, which boasts a capacity of 875 megawatts. When completed next year, the Green River Energy Center in Utah is expected to surpass this with an impressive 1,600 megawatts. These developments underscore America’s commitment to renewable energy and innovative storage solutions.
Unlocking New Thermal Energy Sources
Looking ahead, what potential lies within untapped thermal energy reservoirs? Depth explorations have been conducted globally—Russia has drilled test wells reaching 12 kilometers deep while Iceland has ventured down approximately 4.6 kilometers. There are also ongoing discussions about repurposing abandoned oil wells for geothermal use. This strategy could be particularly appealing within the U.S., leveraging existing oil exploration technologies without facing political barriers that hinder clean energy advancements.
Innovative Research at FORGE
Curiously enough, approximately 50 miles southwest of Utah’s Cove Fort geothermal facility lies an active research project being spearheaded by the University of Utah with backing from the U.S. Department of Energy—the FORGE (Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy) program. This site features a co-location model where a substantial photovoltaic solar farm and wind facilities coexist alongside commercial hog farms. Recent drilling activities have included both injection and production wells designed to fracture surrounding rock strata; hot water can then be extracted successfully from these wells.
!FORGE Geothermal Project Diagram Diagram illustrating Enhanced Geothermal Systems development at FORGE.
Despite its progress, as promising as it is, there are currently no operational commercial power plants utilizing this advanced approach worldwide. The crucial question remains: Is it feasible for the FORGE experiment site to transition into an electricity-generating facility? Further investigation on potential output will be addressed in subsequent articles.
Tesla’s Referral Program Update
Tesla recently revitalized its referral program—a great opportunity if you’re considering purchasing a new Tesla vehicle! Utilizing my referral link here grants you $1,000 off your purchase (more applicable on Model 3) alongside three months free access to Full Self-Driving Beta capabilities—though remember that intervention may be required during operation.
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