June 13, 2024, by Sarah Buening.
Utah FORGE and Enel Green Power once again sponsored a geothermal song parody contest for junior high and high school students. The contest was open to students statewide, and the contestants did not disappoint with their geothermal-themed parodies. Courtesy of Enel, the contest winners received iPads, and the runners up and honorable mentions received gift card prizes.
Our grand prize winners came from West Point Junior High. Samuel Olsen and Preston William’s parody of “Despicable Me” by Pharrell Williams, titled “Geothermal Energy,” sung of the earth’s heat that generates infinite and inexhaustible electricity. They described the process of subsurface heat welling from the earth’s core through song and left us at Utah FORGE impressed with their knowledge and creativity!
The runner-ups come from Mount Ogden Junior High: Evelyn Vanderschaaf, Olivia Geddes, Bella Brown, and Ally Stark. Their song, “Geothermal Energy,” played on Taylor Swift’s “22” and was full of energy. They sang about the geothermal’s rich history in Italy (where the first geothermal well was drilled) and we echo their sentiment of geothermal being “so cool” or maybe that’s “hot!”
Matthew Newman, Rachel Beaman, and Sophie Mortensen from West Point Junior High submitted their take on “House of Memories” by Panic at the Disco, earning them a well deserved honorable mention. Their parody referenced the ancient Greeks and Romans using thermal energy for heating, calling geothermal the earth’s “perfect fuel.” They also sang about the polluting influence of coal and natural gas, which makes geothermal energy more of a necessity than ever.
We’re happy to see today’s students using creativity as they learn about geothermal and other renewable energies. Thank you to this year’s participants for embracing the heat beneath our feet!
Left to Right: Rachel Beaman, Matthew Newman, Preston Williams, Samuel Olsen, Sophie Mortensen
Spanning more than 45 square miles, The Geysers in northern California is the largest geothermal power plant complex in the world. For over a century, its steam has powered innovation, clean energy, and communities across the region.
Before it became the world’s largest geothermal power-producing site, The Geysers was known as the “Gates to Hades,” drawing visitors with its healing waters, steam vents, and wild legends.
One of the many obstacles for hopeful settlers is the need for power and heat on these barren landscapes. Some geologists and other scientists theorize that geothermal energy may be the answer.
