subject: The Debate of Geothermal Energy [print this page] The debate on geothermal energy is based on the implications of its application versus its cost and environmental impact. Many believe the release of greenhouse gases as well as other toxic minerals detracts from the use of geothermal energy. The high cost of geothermal energy also lessens interest in the use of geothermal power. However, geothermal energy is a renewable source of energy which can be used for heating and electricity. Do the pros outweigh the cons?
Geothermal energy can be used for hot water, heat pumps, and also to generate electricity through hot dry rock. To harness geothermal energy for these applications, it is still necessary to take into account the large costs. There are many other variables which apply to costs of geothermal activity. While the initial price of geothermal power purchased ranges from roughly $85 to $110 million per MWh, there are often price escalations from year to year (one to two percent annually.) This increase is entirely based on the possibility of the success of geothermal energy, on how much geothermal energy will benefit existing power, and how much geothermal power is going to be used.
Geothermal energy is used in approximately 70 countries for heating. With the use of heat pumps it is possible to heat many homes, as well as bodies of water. The system involved with this includes underground pipes and loops which work with a heat exchanger and ductwork within the structure.
Geothermal hot water (hot springs are considered to be geothermal hot water) can be found underground and can be used in many ways. It can be pumped directly into an application for hot water or it can be used to heat buildings, grow greenhouse plants, fish farming, and pasteurizing.
Geothermal hot dry rock can be used to generate electricity. However, while geothermal energy itself is renewable, geothermal sites are not necessarily. An overworked site, or one with an excessively large energy plant, can quickly be depleted. This is a very costly mistake.
Geothermal energy is not completely pollutant free. The energy plants themselves are capable of releasing pollutants. While the geothermal energy is being extracted, noxious gases and elements are released, such as carbon dioxide, mercury, and sulphur. Greenhouse gases are also emitted.
While there are pollutants involved with geothermal energy, they do release fewer emissions than fossil fuels. This means that if geothermal energy was used in full instead of fossil fuels, a much smaller toll would be taken upon the environment. It has been theorized that emissions can be offset by injecting any fluids brought to the surface through geothermal energy back into the earth.
While the use of geothermal energy is a hot debate, if properly managed it is considered to be beneficial in the long run. The lowering of emissions of dangerous pollutants will allow the earth to continue on in a safer and healthier state.
