The western side of the United States is located along a section of what is called the “Ring of Fire,” a line of seismic and geothermal activity.  This region in particular is capable of generating a substantial amount of the United States power that is currently being powered by coal.  According to the Geothermal Education Office right now 4 million people in the U.S. are being supplied electricity by geothermal energy (based on 2800 MW, the USGS states 2500MW).  According to the U.S. Geological Survey assessment, this number could be increased by 260% using conventional geothermal (that is 6500MW).  Furthermore the assessment describes unconventional production methods, and states that 517,800MW is the potential electric generation. (video above describes geothermal power plants)

In addition to using geothermal energy to produce electricity, it can be used to assist in the heating and cooling of houses and buildings.  The system that does this is called a geoexchange system, and can be used anywhere in the U.S. and will drop your electric bill 40%-70%.  It works by using the consistent 50 degree temperature found underground to regulate the temperature indoors.  Currently 300,000 homes and businesses in the U.S. are utilizing geoexchange systems. Learn more at http://www.geoexchange.org/

Continued development of geothermal energy will greatly reduce our dependence on dirty fossil fuels.  At Renergycafe.com we hope to see more geothermal energy.

(This video describes a geoexchange system)

There is an excelent slide show here: http://geothermal.marin.org/geopresentation/