Tapping Hot Springs To Bring Electricity To The Poor

[RestoreGore]

Hmmm, could we tap into Old Faithful? What a great idea.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

http://www.scidev.net/Features/index.cfm?f...=554&language=1

Tapping hot springs to bring electricity to the poor

Geysers and other natural heat sources could be used to provide power in poor countries
6 October 2006
Source:

Millions of the world's poorest people lack electricity but some live near natural heat sources such as geysers and hot springs that could be tapped to power generators.

Efforts to generate electricity from natural heat sources have so far been ineffective. But now a US-based chemist called Roman Boulatov has developed a device that could change all that, reports Robert Service in Science.

Boulatov's invention is a cheap fuel cell that can be recharged using freely available heat that drives an electric current within the cell.

He says that several dozen of the cells in an array could power simple machines such as telephones, water purifiers and refrigerators — which could in turn begin to help millions climb out of poverty.

Independent experts agree that it could be an ideal solution in developing countries. The device was unveiled at last month's meeting of the American Chemical Society.

[SmokingJacket]

1. And not just cheap, but environmentally safe.

Awesome!! I hope it works. :thumbsup:

[Joe_VB]

2. Haven't the people in Iceland

been doing this for years.

[benddem]

3. there are many places

in the US that use geothermal power. Many houses in Klamath Falls OR have it.
BTW Link doesn't work

[CabalPowered]

4. Most of downtown Boise is as well. nt

[kestrel91316]

5. Boise??

:wow:

Who knew?

[IDemo]

6. The geothermal being used in downtown Boise is for heating purposes.

Today, there are four district heating systems in Boise that provide heat to over 5 million square feet of residential, business, and governmental space.

I lived for a while at an apartment complex here with free geothermal heat; clean, quiet, and toasty warm.

US Geothermal is a company pursuing geothermal for electric power production elsewhere in the state.

Virtual geothermal energy plant tour from CalEnergy-> http://www.calenergy.com/html/aboutus4.asp

[CabalPowered]

7. Hey which apt. complex was that?

Idahana? I've been looking for something small downtown. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[IDemo]

8. Not the Idanha (but it may be geothermal too), the Central Park apartments

in the foothills off 8th street. These were military barracks during WW2, later remodeled into apartments.

http://maps.google.com/maps?oi=map&q=390+W+Crestline+Dr,+Boise,+ID

[bhikkhu]

9. Only for simple heat transfer, not electricity.