In this episode of The Jim Rutt Show, Samo Burja dives into the world of geothermal energy, focusing on the promising potential of deep hot rock geothermal sources. He highlights how this form of energy could serve as a nearly limitless baseload power option, far surpassing the capabilities of fossil fuels. While most current geothermal efforts rely on hydrothermal sources, Burja emphasizes the importance of new drilling technologies, like gyrotrons and plasma torches, to tap into the much larger reserves of deep hot rock. The conversation also addresses economic hurdles and the risks of seismic activity, underscoring the urgent need for more investment in research and development. This investment is crucial to make geothermal energy competitive with other alternatives and to mitigate potential risks. Burja contrasts the current lack of funding for geothermal research with the substantial financial support given to less efficient and sustainable energy solutions.
