The United States is the world leader in the use of electric power from geothermal energy, but much more can be done. Four states - California, Nevada, Hawaii and Utah - each have geothermal power plants.
North Dakota may have great potential in the area of geothermal energy, with our vast oil resources in the western part of the state. As developers and drillers figure out ways to recover more oil from our reserves, researchers are working to find ways to create enhanced geothermal systems utilizing oil field waters to generate electric power.
Geothermal heat pumps - or ground source heat pumps - are being utilized more and more in the residential, commercial and institutional sectors as an efficient, renewable alternative for heating and cooling. The systems work by concentrating heat that occurs naturally, rather than producing heat and distributing it through structures.
Click here to learn more about selecting and installing a geothermal heat pump system. Click here for a business directory of accredited installers, trainers, and designers.
