Geothermal power comes from energy stored within the earth itself in order to provide clean, alternative energy without adding to climate change. It is more cost effective and scalable when compared with wind turbines and solar panels and is actually much safer in comparison with nuclear fission. So when looking for an option to fossil energy sources, give geothermal energy a chance.
Picture a future free of traditional energy sources, a world where we are not shackled by oil or harming our atmosphere by burning coal. With geothermal energy this vision is possible today. Geothermal power operates by tapping into the power of the earth itself to produce thoroughly clean, reliable energy that does not use natural resources and will be around for future years. Plus, in contrast to traditional fuel energy sources such as oil, natural gas, and coal, geothermal energy is, for the most part, carbon neutral. This makes it a extremely essential tool in the battle against climate change.
But how does geothermal power function and also just what makes this any better than some other forms of green energy like wind farms or solar plants? Well to put this simply, the earth is hot. In addition to the energy soaked up daily by the sun, the earth’s core has adequate energy left over from its formation and from the radioactive decay of elements to cover the complete human population’s energy consumption numerous times over. Geothermal plants, such as those in Southampton, harness this particular power by drilling deep below the earth’s surface and pumping water down the hole. This water is then warmed up naturally and the energy is transformed into electrical energy. They create serious amounts of electricity too, with 10 gigawatts created in 2007. Though this is just a tiny quantity of the global total, geothermal power use is increasing every day as more and more countries switch over to environmentally friendly sources of electricity.
As opposed to nuclear energy plants, geothermal wells produce no hazardous radioactive waste that needs to be transported and stored and it has advantages over other non-fossil energy sources as well. Solar panels and wind turbines, while still excellent sources of green power, are expensive and can not be scaled up to the degree that geothermal plants can. Geothermal pumps can range from a small device designed to power a single house to big utility plants that can power an entire city. In addition it is a time tested technology that has been around for millennia. In fact, the Romans even depended on geothermal wells to heat their famous baths and floors such as those found in Bath in Somerset. The early Chinese dynasties tapped into the power of hot springs as well and took advantage of the medicinal properties that the heat supplied.
As you can see, geothermal energy has a lot to provide in an more and more sustainable culture. It is completely green, creates very little waste, is carbon-neutral, and it is a cost effective method of producing electricity without adding to global warming. For these reasons geothermal energy is regarded as a serious alternative to solar, wind, nuclear, and especially fossil fuels as an energy source.
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