Geothermal Power As Alternative Energy

by Darren

Today we take a look at exciting idea of using geothermal power as alternative energy. Geothermal power is energy that’s generated from the heat that is stored in the earth. The reason many people are excited about harnessing this type of power is because there’s such a huge source of it, lying just below the earth’s surface. If scientists can find an effective way to harness and distribute the energy from geothermal power, the results could be the lessening of our nation’s dangerous dependence on foreign energy.

Geothermal energy production has proven effective in the Philippines and Iceland

Both the Philippines and Iceland have invested heavily in geothermal energy and both countries get about 20% of their domestic energy needs from the technology. Overall, geothermal energy currently accounts for about 1% of the energy production in the world. As the example of Iceland shows us, any place that has a high concentration of volcanoes is a likely candidate for geothermal energy production.

Geothermal power technology covers a wide spectrum. In areas where such development is favorable, the introduction of geothermal energy is an obvious alternative energy source, which can at least serve as a supplement to the primary energy supplies.

Geothermal energy is clean and sustainable

Geothermal energy production doesn’t contribute greenhouse gas emissions to the environment and the energy source is completely renewable. Since it’s a renewable energy source, the supply is virtually inexhaustible.

Another great benefit of geothermal power production is the fact it requires minimum land use requirements. Geothermal energy has also proven itself reliable, with some sites in use now for 80 years. Geothermal energy production works.

The main drawbacks to geothermal energy are finding suitable locations and the fact such energy production is still not as efficient as standard power generation such as coal-burning.

Geothermal energy production in the US is growing

The US is currently the largest net producer of geothermal energy in the world. “The Geysers” a giant geothermal production facility 72 miles from San Francisco, shows the potential for the technology.

“The Geysers, comprising 30 square miles along the Sonoma and Lake County border, is the largest complex of geothermal power plants in the world. Calpine, the largest geothermal power producer in the U.S., owns and operates 19 of the 22 power plants at The Geysers with a net generating capacity of about 725 megawatts of electricity – enough to power 725,000 homes, or a city the size of San Francisco.”

The success of The Geysers shows the potential for more geothermal development in coming years.

Barack Obama has already pledged that new job creation will focus on green technology

Right now representatives of green industries are lining up to make sure Obama listens to their pitch. The geothermal industry will be one of them. Up until now, geothermal energy production has received a very small amount of aid from the government for research. But that appears to be changing. So has the attitude from the private sector.

No greater benefactor than Google has already announced an interest in tapping the energy of the “hot rocks” that lie below the earth’s surface. The search engine giant has announced a $10 million investment into researching the subject.

They think enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) might be the road forward, especially for energy production in western states.

“EGS could be the ‘killer app’ of the energy world,” said Dan Reicher, director of climate and energy initiatives for Google.org, announcing Google funding for EGS research last August. “It has the potential to deliver vast quantities of power 24/7 and be captured nearly anywhere on the planet. And it would be a perfect complement to intermittent sources like solar and wind.”

The US Department of Energy thinks that geothermal energy production could meet 10% of the nation’s energy requirements by the middle of this century. The future for geothermal power has never looked brighter.