MIT on prospects of Geothermal energy

Of course, this is not strictly about Silicon Valley or technology, but news from MIT always excites me. Not only because of the alma mater status, but usually because the ideas are fundamental in their potential to change the status quo. The latest is on an MIT-led panel on the prospects for geothermal energy. Geothermal energy, is not new, actually, its as old as the planet itself :-) But, its rarely tapped as a source for energy. What most surprised me in this particular report was the comment from Prof. Nafi Toksoz that the electricity produced by geothermal energy systems in California, Hawaii and Nevada currently is comparable to that produced by wind and solar sources combined. The challenges with this source of energy are signficant. Drilling has to exceed depths of 5000 feet even in the most promising areas. But, at least it does not increase greenhouse gases or radiation :-)