Geothermal – A Green Energy Source

The technology exists so that tapping the Earth for energy is no longer futuristic. Utilizing the heat from within the Earth is called geothermal power and is a source of green energy source. The heat comes from the magma layer and is radiated up into the other layers as well as the decay of potassium, thorium, and uranium. We then extract that heat and use it for energy.

Unfortunately geothermal energy plants are very expensive to construct. The benefit is that it is a renewable, sustainable green energy source because the crust of the Earth is in continuous decay therefore constantly replenishing the heat.

Geothermal plants fall into three categories: flash, binary and dry steam. All three types use turbines but the processes they use to power the turbines differ. Flash plants pull water, which is hotter than 200 degrees Fahrenheit, from the ground. That water continues to boil as it is pulled to the surface where the steam and water are separated. The resulting steam is used to generate electricity through a turbine. A dry steam plant extracts steam from fractures deep within the Earth and uses that steam to power a turbine that, in turn, generates electricity. Binary plants utilize heat exchangers and, by pushing hot water through them, the turbine is powered and generates electricity.

All three types of plants inject the left over geothermal fluids and condensed steam back into the Earth to reheat.

Several parts of the world use geothermal plants. Since this type of plant is normally most useful in unstable areas of the world, geographically speaking, you tend to see them in countries such as Iceland, the Philippines, Chile, Italy, New Zealand, and the United States. Two of the most notable areas in the United States that have geothermal plants are northern California and Yellowstone basin.

There is an Australian company that is exploring the viability of deriving power from dry, hot rocks. Some scientists believe this is possible. The hot radiogenic granite is found at depths of 3 kilometers below the Earth’s surface.

Although solar power is more cost effective and generates more net power, geothermal energy should still be considered because of the limitations on solar. Solar energy is not able to be harnessed efficiently when it is overcast and at night.

A green energy source, geothermal energy is like hydropower, biofuel and wind since they are all renewable and therefore sustainable. If we maximize the potential, we are not held hostage by the rising costs of fossil fuels and their diminishing supplies.

Using green energy is not just about cost. It is also about being good stewards and protecting the environment. The processing fossil fuels to meet our needs contribute a great deal to the pollution hanging in our atmosphere and nuclear plants have the added problem of radioactive waste that has to be stored for hundreds of years..

If we have learned nothing from the accidents at Three Mile Island and Chernobyl, hopefully we have learned that nuclear plants are not safe and that accidents of this nature can happen. We have a responsibility to protect the population and the environment for future generations. We can slow global warming, as well as protect other parts of the environment by looking to and using green energy sources. Geothermal energy is just one option.

Related posts:

1. Hydropower – A Green Energy Source
2. Biomass – A Green Energy Source
3. Green Energy Sources Benefits
4. Solar Energy – A Green Energy Source
5. Green Energy Sources – Advantages and Disadvantages