Harnessing Underground Magma for Power: A New Idea?

[mheslep]

Yellow stone's geysers create numerous mineral pools. Are they ugly? They are certainly lethal to fish and birds. Should it be shut down?
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YZF8hY__8...SC_4823--dave+at+morning+glory+pool+en+wy.jpg

 

[klimatos]

While building new alternative power source B might not cause the closure of existing fossil power source A in the near term, it almost certainly will preclude the construction of new fossil power source C in an expanding demand for energy.

I don't believe that to be true. I suspect that new fossil power source C will be built whenever and wherever it is both legal and profitable.

 

[klimatos]

Yellow stone's geysers create numerous mineral pools. Are they ugly? They are certainly lethal to fish and birds. Should it be shut down?
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YZF8hY__8...SC_4823--dave+at+morning+glory+pool+en+wy.jpg

I am very familiar with Yellowstone's thermal pools. I believe the one shown in your photo is called "Morning Glory Pool". I find most of them attractive, although some are ugly. Ugly or attractive, the people of the United States have chosen to preserve them, and I applaud that decision.

Where did you pick up the notion that these pools kill birds and fish? The Yellowstone River is one of the prime trout streams in the world, and it contains dozens of thermal springs. I have seen numerous birds (mostly gulls) picking at trash right at the margins of these pools. If some genetic mutation brought forth a bird dumb enough to dive in, yes it would die. The process is termed natural selection.

 

[mheslep]

I am very familiar with Yellowstone's thermal pools. I believe the one shown in your photo is called "Morning Glory Pool". I find most of them attractive, although some are ugly. Ugly or attractive, the people of the United States have chosen to preserve them, and I applaud that decision.

Of course they are and should be preserved. I'm looking for a common standard for mineral pools whether native or created by a remote geothermal well, and not a double standard to protect a private interpretation of nature.

Where did you pick up the notion that these pools kill birds and fish? The Yellowstone River is one of the prime trout streams in the world, and it contains dozens of thermal springs. I have seen numerous birds (mostly gulls) picking at trash right at the margins of these pools. If some genetic mutation brought forth a bird dumb enough to dive in, yes it would die. The process is termed natural selection.

I meant such a pool would be just as lethal to fish and birds entering them as one created by a geothermal well.

 

[mheslep]

I don't believe that to be true. I suspect that new fossil power source C will be built whenever and wherever it is both legal and profitable.

Once the initial capital cost constructing a renewable power plant is sunk, the operating cost is typically far lower than any high fuel cost plant. C.f. the O&E costs in the chart in post 22. All types fossil energy O&E is higher than geothermal.
https://www.physicsforums.com/showpost.php?p=3521797&postcount=22

 

[klimatos]

Of course they are and should be preserved. I'm looking for a common standard for mineral pools whether native or created by a remote geothermal well, and not a double standard to protect a private interpretation of nature.

I see nothing wrong with double standards. Such standards are well established in law, in traditions, and in the very fabric of most societies. I see no reason why I should treat man-made disasters and natural disasters the same.