Geothermal Energy

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Coming from the Greek word geo meaning earth and therme meaning heat it is easy to understand how this renewable energy source got its name. It is fascinating to learn how a natural phenomenon has been adapted into a clean and renewable energy source! The United States is currently the greatest producer of geothermal power in the world. In fact San Francisco, California is home to the largest geothermal power field dubbed ‘The Geysers’. The Geysers geothermal development spans 30 square miles and has over 350 producing wells.

What is Geothermal Energy?
Geothermal energy is energy derived from the earth. More specifically, from deep inside the earth’s core. The Earth is composed of 5 layers the crust (upper most layer) the Mantle (the middle layer) and the core (the inner most layer). The core of the earth is close in size to the moon but is warmer than the outer surface of the sun. In fact it is estimated to be anywhere between 5,000 – 6,000°C.

There are three types of geothermal power plants:
• Flash Steam
• Dry Steam
• Binary Cycle

Using these systems energy is harnessed from the steam emitted from deep holes drilled into the earth’s core. Geothermal methods are clean, safe and sustainable. In areas where geothermal power is used it has been found to be very competitive price wise with traditional fossil fuel burning power plants. Geothermal power plants are capable of producing as much or more power than traditional power plants and generated continuous reliable power.

Although geothermal energy is clean, safe and sustainable, there are some concerns associated with the construction of the power plants. Some forms of geothermal energy require that water is injected deep into the earth’s core, where water wasn’t present before. This water is used to create steam from deep within the earth; land stability in areas surrounding these types of plants may be weakened, although the extent of the weakening is unknown.

Although geothermal power is sustainable it should probably not be considered a renewable resource. As with other natural resources the exploitation or misuse of geothermal power may eventually lead to the loss of it.
Geothermal power is currently being generated in over 20 countries around the world and is an example of the type of ingenuity that benefits both our planet and all of us who inhabit it!

To learn more about Geothermal Energy in the United States go to:

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy website

The geysers website

Wikipedia (Geothermal Power):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geothermal_power