An Overview of Geothermal Energy

An Overview of Geothermal Energy

To understand the history of geothermal energy, we must first understand what it is. At the center of the earth, the temperatures can reach extreme heats of up to 9,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The earth has many layers and as these layers come in contact with each other the heat from the deeper level conducts to the next level. For example, the layer closet to the earth’s core becomes hot from the intense heat of the core. In turn those layers will transfer heat to the layer above it. These layers also heat anything they touch, such as magma and water. While magma is usually not seen often on earth, with the obvious exception of volcanoes, hot water springs are found all over the earth. Not all water escapes the earth’s surface, however, and remains under the surface where drills can be used to penetrate to the hot water below.

It is said that ancient Romans as well as Native Americans used this hot water to treat ailments while some indigenous people of New Zealand have harnessed geothermal energy for hundreds of years. In a more recent sense, many island countries have been successfully using geothermal energy for a large portion of their energy needs. The first geothermal power plant opened in Italy in 1907, and its success has spawned great growth in the field. France has used geothermal energy extensively for decades to heat homes there.

Geothermal energy is what is known as a renewable energy source. That is to say, the products used to harness the energy are replaced or reused more than one time. In the case of geothermal energy, the hot water is “sucked up” to the geothermal power plant where either steam, water or both are used to spin a...

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...this country, it contributes the equivalent of 60 billion barrels of oil each year. The future looks bright for geothermal energy also, as improvements in drilling technology could yield an increase in geothermal power plants across the world.

Bibliography

1. Geothermal Energy

http://www.worldbank.org/html/fpd/energy/geothermal/

Accessed on April 18, 2005

2. Geothermal Education Office

http://geothermal.marin.org/pwrheat.html

Accessed on April 18, 2005

3. Geothermal Energy Association

http://www.geo-energy.org/PotentialReport.htm

Accessed on April 18, 2005

4. Geothermal Energy Research -INEEL

http://geothermal.inel.gov/what-is.shtml

Accessed on April 18, 2005

5. International Geothermal Association

http://iga.igg.cnr.it/geo/geoenergy.php

Accessed on April 18, 2005