For thousands of years, geothermal energy has been used for heating in some countries. This form of energy is tapped from a natural source beneath the earth’s crust. Thus, geothermal energy is thermal power that is derived and stored within the surface of the earth, captured and harnessed through geothermal power plants. This form of energy is contained within the rocks and fluids found below the earth’s crust. The fluids, which make up the energy reservoirs, are heated by molten magma and are then tapped to generate electricity. Geothermal energy is a renewable source of energy in that it does not require any fossil fuel. The steam or hot water used is returned to the ground after its use where it can be reused. There are three main types of power plants, namely dry steam, flash steam, and binary cycle power plants (Assad, 2017). Besides geothermal energy being a remarkably reliable power source, it is considered environmentally friendly (Chelukhin, 2019). Harnessing this form of energy does not require any form of fossil fuel, thus having very minor polluting aspects. Therefore, referencing global warming, geothermal energy is inconsequential. Geothermal energy reservoirs are sourced and replenished naturally, making them renewable energy. This means, according to research, that the source of this energy is capable of sustaining its own consumption rate (Kose, 2007). There are however minor setbacks associated with geothermal energy. In extreme cases, they can lead to instability of the earth’s surface i.e., earthquakes. The construction of geothermal plants can trigger earthquakes due to hydraulic fracturing. Sustaining geothermal powers may somewhat prove hectic if the fluids are faster removed than replaced. Over the years, rainwater seeps through the earth's surface to the reservoirs. When this rainwater is relatively insufficient, this form of energy may become inconvenient. This type of energy is generally highly regarded. It is possible to use this type of energy in my area due to its eco-friendly nature, reliability, and sustainability. Although this might be subject to a change in some factors that may inhibit the realization of full potential. These factors may include heavy upfront financial burdens, among others.
References
Assad, M. E. H., Bani-Hani, E., & Khalil, M. (2017). Performance of geothermal power plants (single, dual, and binary) to compensate for LHC-CERN power consumption: comparative study. Geothermal Energy , 5(1), 17.
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Chelukhin, V., Abramson, E., & Krujaev, M. (2019, March). “Environmentally Friendly Method of Producing Electricity from Day-Night Temperature Swings.” In 2019 International Science and Technology Conference “EastConf” pp.1-4. IEEE, 2019.
Kose, R. (2007). Geothermal energy potential for power generation in Turkey: a case study in Simav, Kutahya. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 11(3), 497-511.
