Renewable energy production is something that has gained more attention lately to avoid the environmental impacts of non-renewable sources of energy. Countless interesting solutions to this issue have been proposed, with wind, solar, and hydroelectric power taking center stage. However, there is another way to produce energy from a renewable source that is not talked about as much: geothermal energy. This natural source of energy is abundant on our planet and could contribute vastly to our global energy needs but how much of the world’s electricity could geothermal energy generate?
Understanding Geothermal Energy
Geothermal energy is defined as the energy that can be extracted from the earth’s natural heat. This type of energy is considered as renewable as it draws from a naturally recurring process. One way to understand this process is to think about how a cup of coffee cools down in temperature over time. After some time, it reaches room temperature as the heat dissipates. The earth works in the same way, as it radiates heat from its core towards the surface.
How Geothermal Energy Is Produced
To produce geothermal energy on a large scale, we need to drill into the earth to tap into the naturally occurring hot water and steam sources. These hot liquids are brought to the surface where the heat is converted to electricity by using a variety of techniques and technologies. One of the variations of drilling that is used in geothermal energy production is known as binary cycle. Binary cycle power plants use heat exchangers to extract the heat from the geothermal fluid. That hot fluid is used to drive a turbine that in turn generates electricity.
Geothermal Energy Potential
Geothermal energy potential is enormous due to the vast amount of heat available inside the earth. Currently, the world’s geothermal energy capacity totals over 14,900 megawatts which translates to about 0.2% of the world’s energy production. This number may seem small, but it is growing consistently. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), geothermal capacity is expected to triple by the year 2030.
Barrier To Geothermal Energy Production
One of the potential barriers to geothermal energy production is the cost involved. Drilling into the earth’s crust requires a significant amount of capital for exploration, resource assessment, and drilling. Until now, most geothermal power plants have been built near hot spots found near tectonic plate boundaries. However, researchers have found ways to extract geothermal energy from areas with lower temperatures utilizing a new method of drilling called Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS).
Geothermal Production Potential
According to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the US alone has the potential to produce about 10 times the amount of energy consumed annually if we implement EGS technology. This estimate was only based on a small portion of the land area of the US, indicating how much this technology could change the world’s energy industry. It’s estimated that there is enough geothermal energy to power the world for hundreds of years.
Advantages of Geothermal Energy
Geothermal energy has numerous advantages over other sources of energy. This type of energy is renewable, and it does not generate greenhouse gases. Once the drilling process is completed, the thermal source should last indefinitely, unlike other sources that must be replenished or extracted and refined once they are used up.
Geothermal Energy and The Environment
Geothermal energy is one of the cleanest sources of electricity production, and it does not pollute the air or water. This is in stark contrast to fossil fuels which are notorious for polluting the environment. Also, a lesser-known environmental benefit of geothermal energy production involves land use and its environmental impact. As per a report by Carbon Brief, besides existing hydroelectric and nuclear options, geothermal power plants use the least amount of land of any major source of electricity production.
Conclusion
Geothermal energy is an underutilized source of renewable energy that can significantly contribute to the world’s electricity needs. The potential of geothermal drilling extends far beyond the current hot spots and with continued innovation and technological advancements, it is possible that geothermal energy could become a leading source of renewable energy. While there are still potential barriers to address, it is apparent that the benefits of geothermal energy significantly outweigh the costs. With its promising start, this type of renewable energy could play an essential role in creating a more sustainable future.