Facts About Geothermal Energy
You may have heard the term ‘geothermal energy’ before, even if you didn’t know exactly what it was all about. With forms of renewable energy becoming more and more popular, it is only natural that geothermal energy will move toward the front of the pack. Since this method is literally using the earth’s own heat to meet our home energy needs, it is considered a renewable resource. If you are interested in learning more about what geothermal is and what it can do, please review the facts listed below.
It’s Not New
The use of geothermal energy for human purposes dates back thousands of years. There are records of North American hot springs being used for cooking purposes approximately 10,000 years ago. Sometimes, the best solutions are the ones with the longest history.
It’s Raining Heat
When rain falls to the ground, it refills the source of geothermal that is being used to create power. The heat contained naturally within the earth heats the water, and that water can then be used to meet human needs. As long as the rain continues to fall, there will always be geothermal energy which can be tapped into successfully.
Volcano Power
In Iceland, geothermal energy is already extremely common. Well over 80% of the homes on Iceland are heated with geothermal power, proving just how effective this source of power can be. Thanks to the many volcanoes found in Iceland, there is no lack of geothermal energy to go around. The country has a stated goal of needing to use no fossil fuels in the future to meet their energy demands.
Keeping Up
A modern, high-tech geothermal facility is capable producing a level of power on par with what would be seen in a fossil fuel power plant. This is an impressive achievement, and one which makes geothermal energy far more viable than it would have been in years past. Without having to sacrifice in terms of production, there is now plenty of incentive to opt for geothermal power with an eye toward the health of the planet as a whole.
Massive Potential
When you consider all of the geothermal energy available around the planet, it is estimated to surpass what is available in all of coal, oil, and gas combined. As the technology used to leverage this power source continues to improve, it is expected that more and more countries will turn to geothermal power as a viable option to meet the energy needs of their people.
Already Under Way
The use of geothermal energy is certainly not some far-off idea – it is already in action in many locations around the world. There are currently more than 20 countries using some degree of geothermal power, including the United States, China, Japan, and the aforementioned Iceland.
It seems to be a safe bet and more and more will be known about geothermal energy in the years to come. This is a power source with enormous potential, especially in light of its minor impact on the environment.
