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US military uses geothermal energy to alleviate logistics problems

09:47, April 30, 2024 | Source: China National Defense Daily
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According to US media reports, the project leader of the Energy Group of the Defense Innovation Department of the Pentagon said that three more companies had participated in its geothermal energy project, and they would help the military use commercial technology in this field to improve its logistics energy supply capacity.

The use of geothermal energy has a long history. Nordic people have long used geothermal energy for heating and bathing, or to drive turbines to generate electricity, but in some regions with small geothermal energy reserves, it is difficult to use it. In recent years, the US military has launched technologies such as "enhanced geothermal system" to expand geothermal exploration areas. The "enhanced geothermal system" is to build a thermal reservoir underground, use the heat energy under the formation to heat the water, and then extract it for power generation. This technology has broken through the geographical restrictions on geothermal power supply, enabling the US military to establish energy supply bases in energy scarce areas.

Since September 2023, a total of 6 companies have joined the US geothermal energy project. The geothermal power plant built by one of the companies can generate enough electricity to supply a small town. Another 400 MW geothermal power plant is under construction, and the power generated after completion is enough to ensure the normal operation of a US military base and supply power to surrounding communities.

Compared with other forms of energy, geothermal energy has the advantages of zero emissions and no need to wait for replenishment. The person in charge mentioned that this is a capital intensive industry, so "it is very necessary to absorb social investment". (Lv Dong)

(Editor in charge: Chen Yu, Wang Xiaoxiao)

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