Why Enhanced Geothermal Systems Won’t Mirror Solar’s Cost Decline
As the automotive industry transitions towards electric vehicles and renewable energy sources, one area of interest is enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) for their potential to provide firm, low-carbon electricity. However, a recent analysis by Michael Barnard questions whether EGS can follow solar's cost trajectory due to fundamental differences in technology implementation.Key TakeawaysEGS relies on complex drilling and fracking techniques that do not benefit from the same economies of scale as high-volume manufacturing technologies like solar panels or batteries.The sparse, low-repetition nature of EGS projects means that cost reductions will be slower compared to mass-produced energy solutions.Policymakers and industry experts should reconsider optimistic projections for EGS cost declin...