In an effort to explore alternative sources of clean energy, geothermal energy emerges as a potential contender in the fight against climate change, with innovative projects in development around the world. One of the most notable is the Red Project in the Nevada desert, United States, where the aim is to harness the Earth's internal heat to generate electricity sustainably. Fervo Energy, the leader of this initiative, is exploring advanced technology to maximize the utilization of this resource, arguing that it could cover a significant portion of global energy needs.
Geothermal energy is not limited to volcanic areas. The Red Project demonstrates that by creating fractures in rocks at great depths to facilitate water flow and heat transfer, it is possible to extract energy from the subsurface even in non-volcanic areas. This approach not only expands the geographic potential of geothermal energy but also presents a cleaner solution compared to oil and gas extraction methods. However, it faces significant technical challenges, such as the risk of inducing seismicity due to fractures in the subsurface.
Unlocking the Potential of Geothermal HeatIn addition to generating electricity, geothermal heat has the potential to be used in building heating and in the extraction of valuable minerals such as lithium, a key component in the manufacture of batteries for electric vehicles and electronic devices. Mexico is one of the countries blessed with this resource: Chiapas, Michoacán, Morelos, Sinaloa, and Veracruz each have a lithium deposit; in Coahuila, Guanajuato, Hidalgo, Jalisco, San Luis Potosí, and Zacatecas there are three each; Chihuahua and Tamaulipas have five; Durango, seven, Nuevo León, eight; Oaxaca, nine; Puebla, 12, and Sonora, 13, as indicated by Alejandro Armenta Mier, President of the Senate of the Republic.
