Geothermal energy comes from energy stored inside of the earth itself in order to provide clean, alternative energy without adding to climate change. It is a lot more cost effective and scalable compared to wind turbines and solar panels and is significantly safer when compared with nuclear fission. So whenever hunting for an alternate to traditional fuels, give geothermal power a chance.
Envision a future totally free of fossil energy sources, a world where we are not shackled by oil or harming our atmosphere by burning coal. With geothermal energy this vision is possible today. Geothermal energy operates by tapping into the power of the earth itself in order to produce clean, dependable energy that does not exploit natural resources and will always be around for future generations. Plus, unlike fossil fuel energy sources such as oil, natural gas, and coal, geothermal energy is, for the most part, carbon neutral. This makes it a extremely essential tool in the fight against climate change.
But how does geothermal power function and also what makes this any greater than some other types of green energy like wind farms or solar plants? Well to put it simply, the earth is hot. In addition to the energy absorbed daily by the sun, the earth’s core has ample energy left over from its formation and from the radioactive decay of elements to cover the whole human population’s energy consumption many times over. Geothermal plants, such as those in Southampton, harness this particular power by drilling deep beneath the earth’s surface and pumping water down the hole. This water is then warmed naturally and the energy is changed into electrical power. They produce serious sums of electrical energy too, with ten gigawatts created in 2007. Though this is just a small quantity of the global total, geothermal energy use is increasing every day as more and more countries switch over to environmentally friendly sources of electricity.
Unlike nuclear energy plants, geothermal wells produce no hazardous radioactive waste materials that needs to be moved and stored and it offers advantages over other non-fossil fuel sources as well. Solar panels and wind turbines, while still superb sources of renewable energy, are pricey and can’t be scaled up to the degree that geothermal plants can. Geothermal pumps can range from a small unit designed to power a single home to huge utility plants that can power an entire city. In addition it is a time tested technology that has been around for many years. In fact, the Romans even relied on geothermal wells to heat their famous baths and floors such as those found in Bath in Somerset. The ancient Chinese dynasties tapped into the power of hot springs as well and took advantage of the therapeutic properties that the heat supplied.
As you can see, geothermal energy has a lot to provide in an more and more sustainable society. It is totally green, creates very little waste, is carbon-neutral, and it is a cost effective method of generating electricity without contributing to global warming. For these reasons geothermal power is considered a serious alternative to solar, wind, nuclear, and especially fossil fuels as an energy source.
Simply click here for much more information on heat pumps