Geothermal energy is generated by the heat found under the earth’s surface. According to the Utility Bidder, geothermal power plants harness the heat found in hot water reservoirs below the earth’s surface to produce energy. Geothermal energy power plants use antifreeze fluids and steam to make use of the heat found in the earth’s crust to generate electricity. Let’s look at some of the economical and environmental advantages of geothermal energy.
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Advantages Of Geothermal Energy
Knowing that we are talking about a sustainable and renewable source of energy, it’s pretty obvious that there are so many benefits and advantages of it. A lot of people aren’t even aware of it until they need to use it for the first time. Surely, they can’t convert it alone into energy, but they need to investigate and research the potential of their area. We have that energy for free, and we need to learn how to turn it into an advantage, and something useful for the whole area around.
The following are the advantages of using geothermal energy for power production.
Renewable Energy Source
Fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas are accessible in limited quantities. Fossil fuel reserves are quickly being depleted due to overexploitation. These are the two basic reasons why fossil fuels are considered non-renewable energy sources. On the contrary, geothermal energy is a renewable energy source.
And today is all about sustainability. We must learn how to produce energy from the potential we naturally have from our planet.
Geothermal power plants utilize natural heat from strategic locations under the earth’s surface. There is a limitless supply of magma which is available all 365 days of a year. There is no way to calculate the total heat reserves that are available under the earth’s surface. Both of these justifications are the reason why geothermal energy is considered a renewable energy source.
Environmentally-Friendly
One of the main advantages of using geothermal energy to produce electricity is that it is environmentally friendly. There is no combustion of fossil fuels involved in a geothermal power plant. Some kinds of geothermal power plants produce one-sixth the number of carbon emissions in comparison to clean natural gas power plants. Binary geothermal power plants do not produce any carbon emissions at all.
Why is this important? The whole world is in a huge crisis due to the extreme pollution and expensive ways of electricity production. We must change our mindset if we want to live a quality life here, on this planet. But, there is an issue, that lasts so many years, so we literally have forgotten how to have a good life, and we are adapted to the industry and its requirements. That’s why we need to learn more about the whole potential all the sustainable sources of energy have. So, we still have time to change something. Let’s do that.
Reliable Energy Production
Solar power plants depend on the presence of sunlight. With the right amount of sunshine available throughout the day, the solar power plant can efficiently produce energy. Wind energy power plants depend on the existence of winds to produce energy. A wind energy power plant can function efficiently as long as there are winds in the location of the wind energy power plant.
The absence of sunlight and wind can render both of these types of power plants incur running costs without producing much energy. These factors do not exist with a geothermal energy power plant because it depends on the heat under the earth’s surface. This means that a geothermal energy power plant can function 365 days a year, 8,760 hours annually without fail. This makes geothermal power plants the most reliable and infallible form of a power plant to generate energy.
Decreases National Dependability On Fossil Fuels
A geothermal energy power plant is an asset for any country because it does not depend on fossil fuels. Traditional methods to produce electricity use fossil fuels to produce electricity. The country may or may not have the fossil fuels required to generate electricity traditionally. The country will have to procure fossil fuels from other nations.
Procuring fossil fuels from other countries will have a negative impact on the economy of the country. A geothermal energy power plant does not need any fossil fuels. With a geothermal energy power plant, the country can become self-reliant in terms of energy production. This can boost the country’s economy and the geothermal energy power plant will be an asset for the nation as long as it exists.
Another important things about geothermal energy
Many people do not know about this potential that our Earth has. It is energy that does not need fuels. It can become much better over the years and allow us to “evolve” the energy production facilities we have.
Of course, we must mention that there are certain disadvantages because geothermal energy is not disproportionately distributed throughout the world. Somewhere there is more, and somewhere less, which at the beginning shows that it is not usable for everyone. Sometimes, due to the gases released, there may be other environmental consequences. Drilling in the Earth’s crust can also cause earthquakes, and we must be absolutely aware of all this.
Practically, the benefit is in the increased level of sustainability, but it can be really difficult to manage. However, it remains to be hoped that at some point, all this potential will be used properly and we will use cheaper energy and at the same time be able to protect the environment from fossil fuels.
Conclusion
There are many benefits to this type of energy that we as human beings need to recognize and use in a timely manner. However, as you can see from the text, it is not really as simple as drilling into the crust and waiting for things to do themselves. We must know what we are doing and always involve professionals in it, who will investigate first and then take action. Start with yourself and be aware of the economic and environmental challenges of modern life, so that you can make a change – even the smallest ones, that will be significant for you and the people around you.