Geothermal energy is fast being considered as a potential alternative to fuel based energy. In addition to being renewable, geothermal energy has minimum impact on the environment. Hence, it is also considered as one of the cleanest energy sources one can opt for on earth. Geothermal energy is currently being harnessed by over 50 countries around the world, with that have invested millions of dollars in setting up large scale geothermal plants for the generation of heat and electricity. Accordingly, here is a small insight into some of the largest geothermal power plants in the whole world.
Geothermal Energy Guide
The scarcity of fossil fuels has made it mandatory for all countries across the globe to pay more attention to the alternative sources of energy. Geothermal energy is produced by utilizing the heat energy trapped within the layers of earth. High production costs and lack of appropriate locations are few problems that have to be tackled for producing geothermal energy in large quantities for mass use.
The current situation in the energy market all over the world is quite disappointing, especially considering the effects of coal-fired energy and the infamous drawbacks of nuclear energy. While there are many environmentalists who believe that solar and wind energy can act as our saviors, the fact remains that both these seemingly promising renewable sources are dependent on climatic conditions and hence, aren’t as dependable as the conventional forms of energy which we use. The only way out, according to some, is the use of the abundant heat trapped within the crust of our planet, which we call the geothermal energy.
Geothermal energy is the energy provided by the Earth ever since the formation of the planet. Not only is it cheaper but also environment friendly. For the new millennium, which is running short of its existing resources, geothermal energy is no less than a boon. Read this article to know more about facts related to the geothermal heating and cooling of houses.
Brainerd, Minnesota to tap into the geothermal energy from its sewers to heat buildings
Harvesting geothermal energy is one of the most investigated areas in the power sector today. So far, companies have been tapping the thermal energy found under the surface of the earth though the town of Brainerd, Minnesota. They have located yet another potentially viable source of geothermal energy that sits right under most buildings in this town. By tapping into the sewer pipes, a company called Hidden Fuels has successfully developed one of a kind alternative energy system.
What can I do for affordable solar thermal power generation for electricity?
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Can solar thermal power solve the world’s energy problem?
According to data, Europe uses 4,000 terawatts of energy but in the normally unusable deserts of North Africa and the Middle East 630,000 terawatts fall unused. If solar thermal plants covered the desert about the size of Austria it could power the whole entire world. The technology is cheap and includes an ability to store the energy for nighttime needs. If all this is possible, why Earth not employing this clean, cheap, abundant source of energy?
5 biggest geothermal energy generating plants in the world
Geothermal power plants may appear to be easy on paper but actually they need engineering at such a large scale that has never been made use of before. Geothermal power plants use the earthâs heat to heat the water which is then used to run a steam turbine. In order to do this, engineers have to dig below the earthâs surface and then insert shafts into the dug holes. After the shafts are in their proper places, cold water is shot down into them for bringing the superheated water back to the earthâs surface, which is then used to move the steam turbines. Various scientists say that the electricity produced in this way is fully safe, clean and virtually an inexhaustible process capable of fulfilling the worldâs yearly power needs. Some of the biggest and most famous geothermal energy generating plants of the world are listed below.