Pumping carbon dioxide through hot rocks could simultaneously generate power and mop up the greenhouse gases produced by fossil fuel power stations, according to a new study.
Harnessing geothermal power involves extracting heat from beneath the surface of the Earth. Normally, this means pumping water down through hot rocks and extracting it again. But the new analysis suggests carbon dioxide could extract heat from rocks more efficiently than water.
Pruess calculated that the plant would perform more efficiently if carbon dioxide was used instead of water. "Initially I thought this was the most harebrained idea I had ever heard," he told New Scientist. "But the more I looked the more I liked it." Pruess discovered that using carbon dioxide to drive turbines and generate electricity, either directly or indirectly through the use of steam, could produce 50% more energy.
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