Geothermal energy is a sort of energy that can truly help businesses obtain what they need without using a lot of fossil fuels. In this post, we’ll look at some of the most essential advantages and disadvantages of using geothermal energy for your house or company in terms of energy.
What is geothermal energy?
A geothermal power plant creates electricity in the same way as a coal-fired power station or a nuclear power plant does: by channeling steam to crank turbines. However, steam in a geothermal power plant is not generated manually by burning coal or nuclear fission, but rather by natural heat under the Earth. The Earth’s structure, as we know, is made up of four layers: the crust, the mantle, the outer core, and the inner core. The inner core’s estimated temperature is around 5,200 degrees Celsius, and a geothermal power plant uses this natural thermal energy from the core to generate steam.Most geothermal power plants are located around the tectonic plate borders, where the crust is thinnest and heat reaches the surface more easily – generally in the form of lava.
Geothermal power plants are classified into three types: dry steam, flash steam, and binary steam. Dry steam is the most basic technique of obtaining geothermal energy, in which steam is taken from the earth and sent to turbines that create electricity.
However, flash steam is the most regularly used approach. Water has a higher boiling point when it is under more pressure; because the pressure under the earth is higher, the boiling point of water is likewise higher.
When highly pressurized hot water taken from the subsurface is brought to the surface, its boiling point lowers dramatically, and the water evaporates and “flashes” instantaneously into steam to power the turbines. When the steam cools, it condenses back into liquid water and is pumped into the ground again to guarantee there is enough water beneath to transport heat.
Finally, binary steam is the most difficult of the three ways. It uses hot ground water as a medium to heat another liquid, which is then transformed into steam. The secondary fluid must have a lower boiling point than water, be safe, and be ecologically benign. The fluid in this scenario is commonly pressurized butane and pentane.
The pros and cons of geothermal energy
The pros of geothermal energy
1. Environmentally sound
Geothermal energy is widely regarded as ecologically benign.
A geothermal power plant has a low carbon footprint. According to the EIA, an average geothermal power plant emits 99 percent less carbon dioxide (CO2) per megawatt-hour (MWh) of energy generated.
While geothermal energy has a few damaging characteristics, they are small in comparison to the pollution associated with traditional fossil fuel sources such as coal and natural gas.
The continued development of our geothermal resources is seen to be beneficial in the battle against global warming.
2. Renewable and long-term
Geothermal reservoirs are refilled spontaneously and are derived from natural resources. As a result, geothermal energy is a renewable energy source.
Another name for renewable energy sources is “sustainable.” In other words, unlike traditional energy sources such as coal and fossil fuels, geothermal energy can sustain its own consumption rate.
Scientists estimate that the energy in our geothermal reserves will endure billions of years.
3. Huge potential
The present global energy consumption is around 17 terawatts (TW) of power from all sources, including fossil and renewable.
While it may appear to be a lot, there is really many times more energy stored within the Earth! However, most geothermal energy is difficult and/or inefficient to obtain. Realistic estimates of geothermal power plant potential range from 0.035 to 2 TW.
Globally, geothermal power plants now produce just 12.7 gigatonnes (GW) of energy, with installed geothermal heating capacity somewhat greater at 28 GW. This implies there is plenty of room for more geothermal energy generation.
4. Geothermal energy is a dependable source of energy.
The power output of a geothermal power plant may be predicted with amazing precision. This is not the case with solar and wind, where weather has a significant impact on electricity generation. As a result, geothermal power plants are ideal for fulfilling baseload energy demand.
The capacity factor of geothermal power plants is high, which means that actual power output is extremely near to entire installed capacity.
In 2017, the worldwide average power output was more over 80% (capacity factor) of total installed capacity, although as high as 96 percent was realized.
5. Excellent for heating and cooling
To successfully operate the power-generating turbines, geothermal energy requires high water temperatures of more than 150°C (approximately 300°F).
The other, simpler way to use geothermal energy is for heating and cooling. This method makes use of the (quite tiny) temperature differential between the surface and a ground source.
Earth is typically more resistant to seasonal temperature variations than air. As a result, with a geothermal heat pump, the earth only a few feet below the surface may operate as a heat sink/source, similar to how an electrical heat pump utilises the heat present in the air.
We’ve seen a tremendous growth in the number of homeowners that utilize geothermal heating/cooling in the last couple of years.
The cons of geothermal energy
1. Regional Applicability
Everything dealing with geothermal energy appears to be quite far away from, well, everything in and around the area. Because prime destinations are quite zone-specific, geothermal power cannot be found outside of those places. Furthermore, the main attractions are typically located a significant distance from metropolitan regions, making them completely worthless when it comes to cities and such.
2. The initial costs of geothermal energy are high.
High upfront expenditures are a significant deterrent for residential owners considering using geothermal energy.Installation of geothermal heat pumps costs between $10,000 and $20,000 for an average-sized home and can pay for itself in another 5-10 years through considerable cost savings.
3. Pump Operating Costs
Geothermal heat pumps still require a power source to function. The pumps require power to operate in order to transport energy from the earth’s core to the residence. A green homeowner can utilize a few solar panels to operate the heat pump, which draws energy from the earth’s reservoir.
4. Surface Instability May Be Caused by Geothermal Power
Because the installation of geothermal power plants may affect the land’s structure, geothermal has become notorious for producing earthquakes. Hydraulic fracturing is a necessary step in the construction of a large-scale and efficient geothermal power plant that can cause earthquakes.
5. Environmental Issues
There are several environmental issues to consider. One of the major challenges is water consumption, because geothermal power needs a lot of water in its procedures and so on. As a result of the process, a variety of substances are released into the air, water, and ground, including sulfur dioxide and silica discharges, all of which can affect the environment if not handled properly.
Because of the way geothermal electricity is used, you may encounter certain technological challenges. Misfortunes can arise because to how far the power must go, and blunders can occur sometimes, making it difficult for the energy to reach individuals in an effective manner.
6. High temperatures are required
You will find the process difficult to carry out. Boring into warmed rock is quite difficult. In order for geothermal activities to commence, the location in issue must also be at least 350 degrees Fahrenheit; otherwise, the processes may not proceed as desired.
7. It is possible that you will run out of steam.
Even after years of operation, geothermal heat from the reservoir below may fade or run out of steam. The dry spell might continue decades, so it’s important to use the heat wisely and not misuse it. Improper usage might also lead to inefficient heat dispersion.
8. Sustainability Concerns
Although the majority of research studies show that geothermal reservoirs are permanent, certain studies indicate that they can be exhausted if water is withdrawn faster than it can be replenished. This can be an issue for household heating and cooling since geothermal energy is used differently in houses than it is at geothermal power plants.
9. Distribution Charges
In other cases, geothermal energy plants are located far from population centers, necessitating a massive network of distribution networks. This merely increases the overall cost of installing a geothermal system.
Conclusion
Geothermal energy is often recognized as ecologically beneficial, long-lasting, and dependable. In certain regions, this makes geothermal energy a no-brainer, but high upfront costs prevent us from reaching its full potential.
The future impact of geothermal power on our energy systems is determined by technology breakthroughs, energy pricing, and politics (subsidies). Nobody knows what the situation will be like in one or two decades.