Three different companies are currently launching projects that will bring up geothermal energy from the bottom of the Salton Sea and use it to create lithium batteries that will potentially support over 5 million electric vehicles annually as well as bring in over 10,000 jobs.
Located on the San Andreas Fault, the Salton Sea has been inhospitable for animals since the 70s and has turned into a complete ghost town.
BHE Renewables, Energy Source, and Controlled Thermal Resources (CTR) are all trying to begin the extraction process to make these batteries. Both BHE Renewables and Energy Source own geothermal facilities while CTR is still trying to develop their extraction process and are building their first plant.
Normally extracting lithium involves drilling and opening pits, which can cause a lot of contamination and harm to the environment. However, the one goal that all these companies have in common is that they want to use a safer, cleaner way to bring up the lithium for sustainability.
“Factories that are needed to produce the lithium, and possibly any toxic waste that might come out of that process too, where does that go?” said Michael O’ Brien, environmental science teacher.
The companies plan to create steam off hot brine across the 10 geothermal facilities and separate lithium from the remaining metals creating clean energy. The facilities will bring a power supply to 350,000 homes and CTR specifically hopes to produce around 600,000 tons of lithium every year.
The batteries created using lithium are planned to be used to benefit electric vehicles. However, although the hope is to provide batteries, be able to support 5 million electric vehicles and replace 1.95 billion gallons of gas, it is important to remember how much it takes to produce the batteries that will later be recycled. Also keeping in mind that electric vehicles can still have their defects.
“Our energy infrastructure is not able to handle the demand of so many vehicles. During a heatwave, California often experiences rolling blackouts as the grid simply can’t keep up with the demands on A/C. Imagine adding everyone’s EV to the demand,” explained Brandon Ramsey, Auto Shop teacher.
Job opportunities may also increase greatly as the Mexican American community has previously faced very high rates of unemployment throughout the area.
O’Brien said.
Overall, these operations will hopefully change the course of the environment but it is not certain if we really will benefit.
O’Brien added, “I just ask that people think about temperance, not going one hundred percent all in for everything you can get, but thinking long term with how much we need, and how much we can use on a sustainable basis.”
