Geothermal energy could beat nuclear, coal to satiate AI power hunger

A recent Stanford University study highlights enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) as a promising clean energy technology capable of addressing the growing global demand for reliable, low-cost power. Unlike traditional geothermal power, which is limited to volcanic regions, EGS can be implemented nearly anywhere by drilling boreholes 3 to 8 km deep, fracturing rock, and circulating fluid to generate continuous electricity year-round. The study suggests that integrating EGS to supply about 10% of a nation’s electricity could significantly reduce reliance on wind, solar, and battery storage—cutting wind capacity needs by 15%, solar by 12%, and battery storage by 28%—while using far less land and lowering energy costs by at least 60% compared to fossil fuels. EGS also offers advantages over nuclear power, providing a steady baseload without risks of meltdown, radioactive waste, or weapons proliferation, and can be deployed more quickly and cheaply. This makes it especially suitable for power-hungry, off-grid applications