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New "enhanced geothermal systems" (EGS), however, look set to make geothermal a bigger energy generation contributor-and potentially as controversial as shale. The industry may dislike the comparison, but EGS is geothermal fracking.

Good news on a technology that could revolutionize geothermal energy made waves at the American Geophysical Union meeting last week. Anyone who understands that the world's hunger for energy will push our planet beyond the point of no return without technological solutions will welcome the idea of CO2 plume geothermal power or CPG.

Geothermal energy has been developing rapidly in the Netherlands and in this guest piece by Niek Willemsen of IF Technology, the reasons for this growth are described.

The Hotel at Oberlin in Ohio is one of five US hotels that have met the stringent sustainable criteria for LEED Platinum certification. The hotel relies on geothermal energy for heating and cooling and uses solar panels to produce electricity.

Obama (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) President Barack Obama unveiled a multimillion-dollar plan Wednesday that would help Western states cut carbon emissions and deal with climate change. The plan would ramp up renewables in Southern California, make a $230 million investment in stormwater management and provide up to $29 million for a pair of geothermal projects in Nevada and Utah. The Hill (8/31)

The Minnesota National Guard installed solar panels and geothermal systems at its Camp Ripley base in an effort to reach zero emissions. The Guard earned a silver LEED rating for its readiness center and hopes to achieve a similar rating for all of its federally funded buildings.

A company created by Stanford University is developing a self-sustaining community in the Netherlands. The 25-home neighborhood will produce its own energy from biogas, solar and geothermal sources and will grow its own food. ReGen Villages describes its focus as "[d]esirable, off-grid-capable neighborhoods comprised of power positive homes, renewable energy, water management, and waste-to-resource systems that are based upon on-going resiliency research -- for thriving families and reduced burdens on local and national governments."

Aspen, Colo., is one of the three cities in the nation to source 100% of its electricity from renewables, according to city officials. The city uses wind, solar and geothermal sources. "It was a very forward-thinking goal and truly remarkable achievement," said city Utilities and Environmental Initiatives Director David Hornbacher. The other two cities to have met their 100% renewable energy targets are Burlington, Vt., and Greensburg, Kan. 

The US could source 100% of its electricity needs from renewables by 2050, according to Stanford. The report said that under its model, land-based wind and offshore wind would provide 30.9% and 19.1% of the nation's electricity, respectively. Solar, hydroelectric, geothermal and hydro power would supply the remaining capacity. The report added that the plan would create 2,815,850 40-year operation jobs, and 2,285,816 40-year construction jobs.