Geothermal energy explained

What is geothermal energy?

From the ancient Greek words for the earth (geo) and heat (thermos), geothermal energy is the energy inherent in the core of our planet. No one disputes the raw power and strength of the energy generated by the Earth's core.

The historical (and current) problem has been developing processes to harness this incredible natural energy source for efficient use. Even in the current millennium, only two countries have been able to convert this energy source to meaningful purposes. Iceland and the island nation of the Philippines are the only nations using geothermal power (15% to 20%) for widespread use.

Research is ongoing to convert this renewable energy source, commonly evident in steam release in geysers and hot springs, into a cost efficient and effective producer of usable energy. Someday, "Old Faithful" of Yosemite National Park may inspire the creation of natural, renewable energy for large populations.

This world famous geyser often shoots more than 8,000 gallons of boiling water into the air at its regular eruptions. The potential power that this simple and recurring act represents is but one indication of the incredible energy available from geothermal sources.

Is geothermal energy helpful or harmful to our environment?

Geothermal energy is predominantly not harmful to our environment. There are some graphical exceptions, however. When geothermal energy powers the eruption of active volcanoes, the resulting lava flows often do harm to the surrounding environment – not to mention, the humans living nearby.

If it is geothermal energy release that causes the earth's tectonic plates to shift, resulting in earthquakes, there is obvious human destruction and, often, environmental harm.

Hopefully, nations can develop efficient conversion processes to harness and direct this natural and almost unlimited energy source for useful purposes. Geothermal power, if controlled effectively, is perfectly safe to the environment. Except for its rare exhibitions of over-exuberance, geothermal energy is a naturally occurring phenomenon that is, at worst, environmentally neutral.

Is geothermal energy a viable power source?

Currently, geothermal power is potentially a major source of natural, renewable, and eco-friendly energy. At the moment, the key word is "potentially", as geothermal energy successes trail the advances made in wind, solar, and agriculture-based alternative power source development.

There are three primary workable methods of using geothermal energy currently.

• Binary cycle power plants. Geothermal water is introduced to liquids that have a much lower boiling point, causing the mixture to vaporize. This reaction drives turbines to produce energy.
  
  
• Hot dry rock geothermal power. The hot rock in deep wells is used to heat fluids, which then generate energy.
  
  
• Dry and flash steam plants. Using either natural geothermal steam or forcing boiling geothermal water into tanks creating steam, the powerful substance creates energy to drive turbines.

Additional development is proceeding on two other variations of geothermal energy use. Designs of geothermal heat pumps are being developed to combine shallowly buried pipes, heat exchangers, and duct work to heat structures efficiently.

Direct geothermal heating is another workable method of heating buildings of all sizes, growing plants, pasteurizing milk, melting snow, and other future uses. By directly pumping and circulating geothermally heated water throughout an enclosed piping system, energy is cheaply and effectively created.

Current developments generate a "yes" answer to the viability of using geothermal power as an alternative energy source. Yet, most of the workable examples in existence to date are smaller scale installations.

What the future holds

Future developments may help evolve the scale of geothermal energy use to large volume proportions. Those who make it their life's work to develop this energy form for mass use believe the ability exists. It need only be unlocked and infused into coming systems for larger distribution.

The source and magnitude of this energy is unquestionably viable and feasible. Its conversion cost to make it available to a larger community grid is the next logical step. But, although only one step, it is a big one.

Just as electricity production was originally viable in smaller independent source locations, geothermal energy is now at that point. The hope is that soon this power source can be a wide area, grid linked, all encompassing energy supply like regional electricity grids are now.

Scientific, engineering, technical, and logistical improvements should enable this dream to become a reality. But, as with most new processes, there is seldom any guarantee of success. However, throughout history, the desire of the world's best and brightest to achieve tends to result in achievement.

Using geothermal energy to power electricity, heat, and other necessary functions may indeed become viable on a large scale, while also helping our environment.