Because of increasing carbon emissions, we need to switch to more reliable energy resources that are not harmful to our planet and wellbeing. Renewable energy resources are highly beneficial in reducing the carbon footprint. Geothermal energy is highly efficient among other renewable energy resources, and it is one of the low carbon resources. In this article, you will briefly discover the details of Geothermal energy.
What is Geothermal Energy?
Geothermal Energy is a form of renewable energy generated from the surface below the earth’s crust for electricity and heat production. There are three types of geothermal power plants used for generating electricity. They are dry steam, binary cycle, and flash steam.
Why Geothermal Energy?
Geothermal energy is the cleanest energy resource, and it has several advantages, as mentioned below.
1) Renewable energy resource
Geothermal is a renewable energy resource. It is abundantly available, and it will not run out upon usage. Some studies suggest that fossil fuels will be depleted by 2060. Since Geothermal energy will continue to exist as long as the earth remains, it is an excellent energy resource to preserve natural resources.
2) Boosts Economy
Geothermal energy is one of the largest energy sectors that create job opportunities and contribute to economic growth. Nearly 96,000 people work in the geothermal sector worldwide, making it an excellent resource for revenue. Furthermore, the Geothermal energy sector also creates more indirect jobs when compared to other energy sectors.
3) Environmental-Friendly
Geothermal energy is an environmentally friendly resource compared to conventional energy resources such as fossil fuels. It produces a low carbon footprint. Switching to geothermal energy for generating electricity will cut down fuel-import costs and reduce the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
4) Energy Efficiency
Geothermal power plants are currently estimated to provide between 0.0035 and 2 terawatts of power. Geothermal heat pump systems are cost-effective. They take advantage of the earth’s thermal properties to provide unrivaled efficiency and operate more efficiently than traditional heating and cooling systems. Geothermal systems can also increase energy security by protecting against price inflation in volatile fossil fuel (natural gas) commodities.
5) Less Maintenance
Because geothermal energy is a naturally occurring resource, no fuel is required, unlike fossil fuels, which are finite resources that must be mined or extracted from the earth. Geothermal plants, in particular when used in the home, do not require any special maintenance.
6) Reliable
compared to other renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power, geothermal provides a more consistent energy source
Energy generated by this resource is easy to calculate because it does not fluctuate as much as other energy sources such as solar and wind, which means we can accurately predict the power output of a geothermal plant. Geothermal pumps have more longevity when compared to traditional pumps making them an efficient energy resource to trust.
Applications of Geothermal Energy
Geothermal energy has various applications. Its main application is electricity generation and space heating systems. But, It has other applications, such as water desalination, timber seasoning, and industrial applications. It is suitable for both large and small-scale installations.