Welcome to Geothermal Pros and Cons
If you’re looking for information about anything geothermal, you’ve come to the right place. It is our mission to provide a hub of information on everything geothermal. Whether you’re a beginner just trying to understand the definition of geothermal, or are an industry veteran looking for the latest technology and industry practices, we are here to help meet your needs. Here you’ll find articles, videos, FAQ’s, and guides addressing everything from the history of geothermal to what lies in the near future with this incredible resource. Let’s get started with a brief introduction:
Geothermal
As the name implies, GEOTHERMAL is heat (therm) of the earth (geo). Although the name is quite simple, it provides us with extraordinary capabilities.
Geothermal Energy
It is widely accepted that the center of the earth contains magma, a substance of remarkable temperature and pressure. Suffice it to say there is a phenomenal amount of thermal energy deep in the earth’s surface that, if harnessed, would be able to provide all the energy our world could use for a long time. This is not a source of energy that will completely deplete, as the sun provides energy as does radioactive decay of materials already deep within the earth.
Geothermal HVAC
At the core of any construction project, residential, commercial, or industrial, is the HVAC System. For centuries people have utilized processes to make their living, working, and recreational surroundings more comfortable through heat transfer and temperature and humidity control. Geothermal HVAC is the latest and greatest technology being implemented throughout building construction worldwide. It is among the highest efficiency heating and cooling equipment on the market with one of the lowest life time costs.
Geothermal Energy Pros and Cons
Pros:
• There is an enormous amount of thermal energy deep within the earth, that is replenished at a very high rate. This amount is conservatively estimated to be higher than all the fossil fuels and uranium combined. • Geothermal energy is not susceptible to price fluctuation like crude oil. • It is considered the most “green” of all renewable energy types, primarily because there are no products of combustion like in all fossil fuel energy generation operations. • The US government has offered tax credits for individuals who use the technology in their homes. Yes, this means you can have one of the highest efficiency heating and cooling systems in your own home for a discount! • Lifetime costs of geothermal operations, both in residences and generation plants, are smaller than other types of energy.
Cons:
• First costs for building electricity generation plants are very high. • To access the vast majority of the energy, the earth’s crust has to be drilled for extreme distances. • Geothermal energy can’t be “transported” to generation sites, like nuclear and fossil fuel plants • Maintenance of geothermal power plants require extreme care and caution, as the water that travels through the piping is superheated. This means that any turbine, heat exchanger, or pipe maintenance can be very, very hazardous to people and machinery. • Sites suitable for electricity generation are where they are. Similar to hydroelectric plants having to be near running water, geothermal sites have to be in regions where subsurface conditions are advantageous, yet this can’t be manipulated. • To implement geothermal hvac in already constructed buildings, real estate must be available adjacent to the building for a borefield. Thus, major metropolitan areas aren’t good candidates for this high efficiency hvac system.
Geothermal Energy Facts
Did you know? • The United States produces more wattage of electricity with geothermal than any other nation, but Iceland produces the highest percentage of its electricity with the technology of all nations. • Geothermal Heat Pumps are the HVAC system of choice for many of the Net Zero Energy Buildings. • The headquarters for the American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) in Atlanta, GA is equipped with a geothermal system that is monitored real-time for energy consumption figures.
These are just some of the benefits of geothermal energy. The technology is being developed on a broad scale to expand capacity of power plants and improve efficiency of operation. Many corporations and several government entities have recognized the unusually large potential that would be experienced if this technology was made more readily available.
Finally
As our world becomes more innovative and yet more responsible, everyone needs to know about ways they can take part in this effort. Knowledge of what geothermal has to offer is the first step. We encourage you to read the articles we’ve published and the information we’ve curated. However, if you’d like to receive even more information, please join our mailing list. We give away information on our mailing list that we do not publish here on the site. This can be as simple as a link to a notable news story, or as in depth as a do it yourself guide. Please dive in to geothermal pros and cons. We appreciate the opportunity to share with you.