Geothermal energy comes from energy stored within the earth itself in order to give clean, alternative energy with out contributing to climate change. It is more cost effective as well as scalable compared to wind generators and solar panels and is actually much safer in comparison with nuclear fission. So whenever searching for an alternative to fossil energy sources, give geothermal power a chance.
Picture a future free of fossil fuels, a world where all of us are not shackled by oil or polluting the atmosphere by burning coal. With geothermal energy this vision is actually achievable today. Geothermal power works by tapping into the energy of the earth itself to produce thoroughly clean, dependable energy that does not exploit natural resources and will be around for future generations. In addition, in contrast to fossil fuel energy sources such as oil, natural gas, and coal, geothermal energy is, for the most part, carbon neutral. This makes it a very essential tool in the battle against climate change.
But how does geothermal energy function and also just what makes it any far better than some other forms of alternative power like wind farms or solar plants? Well to put this simply, the earth is hot. In addition to the actual energy soaked up daily by the sun, the earth’s core has sufficient energy left over from its formation and from the radioactive decay of elements to cover the entire human population’s energy consumption numerous times over. Geothermal plants, such as those in Southampton, harness this energy by drilling deep below the planet’s surface and pumping water down the hole. This water is then warmed naturally and the energy is converted into electrical energy. They create serious amounts of electrical energy too, with ten gigawatts produced in 2007. Although this is only a small amount of the worldwide total, geothermal power use is increasing daily as more and more countries change over to sustainable sources of electricity.
Unlike nuclear energy plants, geothermal wells create absolutely no hazardous radioactive waste that needs to be moved and stored and it offers benefits over other non-fossil fuel sources as well. Solar panels and wind generators, while still excellent sources of green power, are expensive and can not be scaled up to the degree that geothermal plants can. Geothermal pumps can range from a small device created to power a single house to large utility plants that can power an entire metropolis. Plus it is a time tested technology that has been around for many years. In fact, the Romans even relied on geothermal wells to heat their famous baths and floors such as those found in Bath in Somerset. The early Chinese dynasties tapped into the power of hot springs as well and took advantage of the therapeutic qualities that the heat provided.
As you can see, geothermal energy has a lot to offer in an increasingly sustainable society. It is entirely green, creates very little waste, is carbon-neutral, and it is a cost efficient method of generating electricity without contributing to global warming. For these reasons geothermal energy is regarded a serious alternative to solar, wind, nuclear, and particularly fossil fuels as an energy source.
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