Summary of Batteries are dirty. Geothermal power can help.
Scientific Concepts and Nature Phenomena Presented
- Electric Vehicles (EVs) and CO2 Emissions
- EVs produce zero emissions during use, potentially eliminating about 18% of global CO2 emissions if all road vehicles were electric.
- EVs are powered by rechargeable Lithium-ion Batteries, which require metals like Nickel.
- Environmental Impact of Nickel Mining and Processing
- Nickel mining and smelting cause environmental damage including water contamination, deforestation, and air pollution.
- Smelting Nickel requires high heat, currently mostly generated by coal-fired power plants, which emit greenhouse gases and pollutants.
- Communities near Nickel processing plants, such as in Indonesia, suffer from respiratory illnesses due to fine particulate pollution.
- Indonesia’s Role in Nickel Production and Clean Energy Potential
- Geothermal Energy
- Geothermal Energy is generated by heat from magma beneath the Earth’s surface, especially in volcanic regions like Indonesia (located on the Pacific Ring of Fire).
- Hot underground water or steam is extracted by drilling wells, used to vaporize a secondary fluid that drives turbines to generate electricity.
- The water is recycled back underground, making geothermal a continuous, renewable, and carbon-free energy source.
- Geothermal Energy does not depend on weather conditions, unlike solar or wind power.
- Indonesia is the world’s second-largest Geothermal Energy producer, with about 20 active plants and many more sites under exploration.
- Challenges of Geothermal Energy Development
- High upfront costs, long development timelines, and risks associated with drilling and resource assessment.
- Difficulty in predicting resource size, temperature, and economic viability before drilling.
- Potential environmental and social concerns, including:
- Preservation of natural parklands.
- Risk of induced seismicity (usually low-level but a concern for communities).
- Need for environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable development.
- Economic and Social Context
- Significant foreign investment (e.g., $30 billion from Chinese Companies) is flowing into Nickel plants powered by coal in Indonesia.
- Transitioning to Geothermal Energy could reduce pollution and health risks for local communities like Asvina’s.
- The importance of ensuring that the green energy transition is also socially fair, protecting marginalized communities from disproportionate harm.
- Broader Potential for Geothermal Energy
- Many regions worldwide (highlighted in geothermal resource maps) have potential for Geothermal Energy that could help decarbonize EV battery production and other industries.
- Exploration and technology improvements may reduce costs and risks over time.
Methodology for Harnessing Geothermal Energy
- Identify potential geothermal hotspots using geological and geothermal mapping.
- Drill wells to access underground hot water or steam.
- Use the extracted heat to vaporize a secondary fluid in a power plant.
- Drive turbines with the vapor to generate electricity.
- Reinject cooled water back underground to maintain the resource.
- Monitor and manage environmental and social impacts, including seismic activity and land preservation.
Researchers or Sources Featured
- No individual researchers named explicitly.
- Mention of local resident Asvina as a case example.
- Reference to Indonesian government data on health and environment.
- Mention of Chinese Companies investing in Nickel processing plants.
- General references to geological and Geothermal Energy research and mapping.
Category
Science and Nature