Facts You Need To Know Concerning Geothermal Energy
Facts You Need To Know Concerning Geothermal Energy
Geothermal energy is an alternate source of energy. This kind is generated deep within the surface of the earth. Geothermal is a term that comes from two Greek words, geo which means earth and thermos which means heat. Therefore with this power source we are able to generate electricity.
Hot water springs, volcanoes and geysers are some of the surface outlets through which the heat forces its way out. In order to access the heat underneath the surface geothermal plants are constructed. In these plants the heat is utilized to produce power. There are turbines which rotate as a result of the steam to generate electricity.
Just like with any other alternative source of power this kind has its own advantages and disadvantages. As for the advantages, this energy source is environmentally friendly. This is because during production you do not burn any fossil fuels in the process. To add on to that the power plant where all the production takes place does not add to the greenhouse effect.
This type of power resource can not be exhausted because it is constantly being produced deep within the surface of the earth. Therefore the steam will always be more than enough as long as it can be harnessed. It is also quite effective because the costs are relatively low.
The major disadvantage associated with this power is availability. It is not easy to locate the appropriate place where you can tap the energy. The other disadvantage is that to start up this whole project you will need quite a substantial amount of money. You will need to get the precise location and the equipment that is required does not come cheap. As time goes on once you have recovered your money the cost will be very low.
To add on to that even though there is no burning of fossil fuels, when tapping the energy there is a chance that you might cause other things to happen. There are methane deposits that are also beneath the surface of the earth. They might be disturbed somehow. If this situation occurs the methane could be released into the atmosphere and add to the greenhouse effect.
One fact that is noteworthy is that the geothermal energy resource is so colossal that it is more than uranium, gas and coal merged together. This type of energy is mostly used in Iceland and the Philippines. If you are one of those individuals who are kin on reducing the emission of harmful gases into the atmosphere, you could actually consider changing to this kind of power source.