Geothermal Energy: A Layman's Primer
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As the name suggests, geothermal energy is generated from the temperature derived from the earth. Geo is the Latin word for earth and therma is the Latin word for heat. It also refers to the assembling of heat that is derived from the atmosphere, the underground and the oceans.
The geysers, situated in the fields of California, are the biggest power plant units in the world. Though the history of hot springs and steam baths spans hundreds of years, they were natural hot springs that had sprung up and were used only for heating and bathing purposes.
The use of the Earth's heat to generate electricity started in the 20th century and is in use till today and a large percentage of our electrical power comes from the Earth's heat.
Geothermal Energy - The Present
Today, geothermal power plants have become a popular option for countries to produce power for their electrical needs. Almost all the big countries of the world have started producing electricity with this resource.
The need for this kind of power is all the more important today because of one of the greatest threats to our planet, which is global warming. So, the search for different resources to meet our power needs has led scientists to promote the use of this natural energy source in a big way.
It is common knowledge that every source of energy has its advantages and disadvantages. But what is more important is that we as nations should recognize the need to preserve our planet for generations to come. This idea is gathering momentum now and many alternate resources have sprung up in various countries depending on their resources.
Heat from the Earth stands right above some of the other alternative resources as it has many advantages like it delivers electricity that is cheaper than others and it is not affected by climate change unlike hydroelectric power that depends on the monsoons.
Another major factor is that the power plants are scalable which means that the size of the area for which the energy is being produced is not a criterion -- be it a small town or a big city. Moreover the flow of electricity is steady and does not vary.
Some of the disadvantages include impurities in the water like carbon, sulfur etc. and metals like mercury. But today with the advancements in science and technology, these impurities can be mitigated and such disadvantages are considered negligible.
Geothermal Energy - The Future
Geothermal energy is a modern source of power and is getting to be extremely popular, not only for the process of generation of electricity but also for domestic purposes. With the world growing more and more environmentally friendly and conscious, the use of geothermal energy is gaining in popularity and becoming extensive and widespread.
About the Author
Geothermal Science, Inc. http://geothermalscience.com/ the place to go when you need geothermal consulting. Art Gib is a freelance writer.
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