Geothermal Energy- Introduction

Geothermal Energy

The name Geothermal itself says where the energy comes from. It is the heat (thermal) received from the earth (geo). Geothermal Energy is the thermal energy get from the earth's core, which is stored in rocks of the earth's crust.

Population density on earth increases day-by-day. So, We should fulfill our energy requirements by using the available resources effectively. Geothermal Energy is one of the renewable energy resource available on earth.

About 4000 miles down to the earth, the core temperature of the earth may reach 9000 °F. Heat conducts from the core to surrounding rock in extremely high temperature and pressure which causes some rock to melt. That melted rock is known as magma.

Magma moves upward since it is lighter than solid rocks. This magma heats up the rock and water in the crust at about 700 °F. This heat energy by magma near to the earth's surface is the main source of the geothermal power plant.

Geothermal Reservoirs

We can find the geothermal reservoirs in the following areas.

• Hot springs
• Geyser
• Boiling mud pot
• Volcano

Applications of Geothermal Energy

Direct applications

• Industrial and domestic heating purpose.
• Recovery of minerals.
• HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning)

Indirect Applications

• Electricity generation

Advantages of Geothermal Energy

• It is a renewable energy resource
• Eco-friendly
• Sustainability
• unlike solar energy and wind energy, It is not dependent on the weather conditions.

Limitations of Geothermal Energy

• Emission of greenhouse gases.
• Not every area has accessibility for geothermal energy sources.
• High initial installation costs.
• Earthquakes

Please read the article Geothermal Energy to Electrical Energy Conversion to know how geothermal energy is converted into electrical energy.