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GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
Advantages:
- Renewable and sustainable
- Clean and non-polluting
- Efficient
- Cost limited to operations and labor
- Reliable to run 24 hours a day, 365 days a year (regardless of weather, natural disasters, or political events that disrupt fuel supplies)
The Future of Geothermal Energy
Scientists are working to make geothermal energy more accessible to areas without shallow reservoirs of hot water. Successful recent attempts to use thermal energy from rocks in the interior of continents bode well for the future of this energy source. Engineers are developing technology to use hot dry rocks (HDR) 3-6 miles below earth's surface for power. Teams in several European countries continue to work on making HDR technology more cost effective. As this technology improves, geothermal may be able to compete with other energy sources as an attractive alternative. Further research and development is needed before its use becomes practical for energy consumers around the world.
Explanation and History
Geothermal energy is energy created by the heat of the earth. Under the Earth's surface, there is a dense layer of fiery rock with pockets of hot water. This water can heat buildings or be used to generate electricity. Geothermal power plants draw hot water from geothermal reservoirs through production wells to spin turbine generators and produce electricity.
The use of geothermal energy dates back thousands of years. Ancient Romans built lavish baths on hot springs, and Pompeians heated their buildings with hot water flowing beneath them. The first geothermal power plant was constructed in 1904 in Lardorello, Italy. By the end of the 20th century, over 8,000 megawatts of electricity were produced by 250 geothermal plants around the world.
Sources:
"EIA Energy Kids - Geothermal." Energy Kids. Energy Information Association. Web. 29 Oct. 2009. <http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/kids/energy.cfm?page=geothermal_home-basics>.
Michaelides, Eftathios E. "Geothermal Energy." World Book Student. Web. 29 Oct. 2009.
Schlager, Neil, and Jayne Weisblatt, eds. Alternative Energy. Vol. 1. Detroit: U*X*L, 2006.
DISADVANTAGES
- limited capacity due to finite amount of locations with accessible supply of hot water
-large investment of capital required in initial stages
-cost makes it difficult to compete with other power sources
Environmental Impacts
Geothermal energy is clean and non-polluting. No harmful emissions are produced. However, the hydrogen sulfide gas sometimes contained in geothermal reservoirs has an offensive odor that is toxic in high concentrations. Large tracts of land do not have to be cleared to build geothermal plants. They take up much less space than other types of power plants, and can co-exist with livestock and wildlife. Overall, the environmental problems are far less serious than the consequences of burning fossil fuels.
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Tags: geothermal, geo, thermal, environment, energy, heating, technology
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