A Green Energy Source: Geothermal
The ability to harness the energy of the earth is one of the many things we are capable of thanks to technology. When we choose to use geothermal energy, which also happens to be a green energy source, we do precisely this.
Geothermal energy is produced by drawing heat from the planet’s interior. This is produced by radioactive decay of potassium, uranium, and thorium in magma.
The drawback of geothermal energy is the high cost of construction. On the other hand, it is still a renewable source of energy because the earth’s crust continuously decays, replenishing the heat.
Three different kinds of geothermal plants are present. These are binary, flash, and dry steam.
In dry steam plants, steam is extracted from underground cracks and used to power a turbine that spins a generator.
Flash plants draw water from the ground that is over 200°C in temperature, allow it to boil as it rises to the surface, and then separate the steam phase in steam/water separators. The steam is then used to power a turbine.
Binary plants are the final group. Here, boiling organic fluid created by hot water passing through heat exchangers spins a turbine.
After energy is produced, the remaining geothermal fluid and condensed steam from all three types of plants are injected back into the hot rock to absorb more heat.
Many locations around the world use geothermal power plants. These are typically found in geographically unstable regions of the earth. Some can be found in Chile, Italy, Iceland, New Zealand, the United States, and the Philippines. The Yellowstone basin and northern California are the two most notable regions for this locally.
Some people think we can extract energy from hot, dry rocks instead of going very deep into the earth. To find these hot underground radiogenic granite rocks, 3 kilometres of earth must first be dug up and drilled into. Some Australian businesses are currently investigating this technology.
Even when comparing the amount of energy gathered from solar and geothermal sources, the sun still provides more energy. People should nevertheless use it because solar energy cannot be captured when clouds block the sun’s rays from reaching the solar panels.
Due to its renewable nature, geothermal energy is a green energy source, just like wind, hydropower, and biofuel. We don’t have to worry about the price of oil in the global market, which hit more than $110 a barrel and is currently under $40, by maximising its potential.
But there are other issues that we should be worried about as well. Given that coal-fired and nuclear power plants produce hazardous gases and radioactive waste that could harm people and the environment, we should also try our best to protect it.
Everyone is aware that global warming has altered our planet. Chernobyl and Three Mile Island taught us valuable lessons, but that does not guarantee it won’t happen again.
Promoting alternative energy is necessary for us to play our part in preserving the environment for present and future generations, and geothermal energy is just one of many green energy options that are currently available.
