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[–] 4 points 1 month ago* (3 children)

Awesomeness of things is offset by how hard they are to actually accomplish. Geothermal is neat, sure, but actually getting to it is very, very difficult in most places, whereas just having a giant fan that turns when the wind blows or a panel that generates electricity when the sun shines on it (or just using a big fire from coal/oil/gas) is waaaaaaaay easier. For the amount of effort it takes for one geothermal plant, you can have a lot more energy output from various other sources.

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  • [–] 2 points 1 month ago* (2 children)

    I wasn't just referring to geothermal, I was meaning in general. We've stopped doing important and useful things because there's no immediate payout. But, geothermal has properties the above ground and easier options don't. A sense of permanence that storms and clouds can't affect. Always running. That's very valuable. Yes, if you need a kWh, there's cheaper and easier ways to get it. If you want a source of heat and energy that exists when everything else is broken, it's hard to argue with it. A city emergency shelter comes to mind.

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  • [–] 1 point 1 month ago (1 child)

    If you want a source of heat and energy that exists when everything else is broken, it’s hard to argue with it.

    Geothermal is not that. You need the system intact, the pump working, and power to run the pump. If you want heat and energy that exists when everything is broken, that's the sun.

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