Here is a brief timeline of events that have shaped the growth of geothermal energy from its origins to the present:
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Pre-history
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Use of caves’ geothermal energy for winter warmth and summer cooling; people gathering at hot springs to enjoy warmth from deeper geothermal resources.
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Early history
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The Romans used geothermally heated water in their bathhouses for centuries.The Romans also used the water to treat illnesses and heat homes. In Iceland and New Zealand, many people cooked their food using geothermal heat. Some North American native tribes also used geothermal vents for both comfort heat and cooking temperatures. Most of these early uses of the Earth's heat were through the exploitation of geothermal vents.
Early peoples also utilize near-constant subsurface temperatures (geothermal energy) to keep vegetables in root cellars from freezing or spoiling.
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1860s
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Energy from hot springs begins to be used in the United States to heat homes and bathhouses.
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1886
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Hot water from the Banff, Alberta, hot springs piped to hotels and spas.
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1904
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Italian scientist Piero Ginori Conti invents the first geothermal electric power plant.
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1946
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First ground-source geothermal heat pump installed at Commonwealth Building in Portland, Oregon.
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1960
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Pacific Gas and Electric begins operation of first large-scale geothermal power plant at the Geysers north of San Francisco, producing 11 megawatts. Today, 69 geothermal generating facilities are in operation at 18 resource sites around the United States.
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1970s
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During the oil crisis of 1973, many countries begin exploring alternative sources of energy, including geothermal energy. This sparks government-sponsored renewable energy research programs in Germany, Sweden, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Geothermal heat pumps and underground thermal energy storage systems gain popularity as a means to reduce heating and cooling costs, especially in commercial and institutional buildings.
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1975
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Drilling begins to assess high-temperature geothermal resources for electricity generation in British Columbia.
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1976-1986
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Ten-year federal research program assesses geothermal energy resources, technologies and opportunities for Canada.
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1990s
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As public concerns about environmental issues such as air pollution and climate change grow, governments in Canada and elsewhere take a greater interest in using renewable energy as a way to decrease greenhouse gases and other emissions.
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1990
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Ontario Hydro funds a program to install geothermal heat pumps in 6,749 residences not served by natural gas.
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2004
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Western GeoPower Corp. applies for government approvals to build a $340-million, 100-megawatt geothermal power plant at Meager Creek, northwest of Whistler, B.C., which could begin producing power as early as 2007.
Manitoba government announces program to provide loans of to $15,000 towards installation of geothermal heat pump systems.
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