Geothermal energy uses the heat from the center of the earth’s core to produce electricity. As the heat from the Earth’s core rises to the crust of the earth, the heat is captured and absorbed by geothermal power plants. Momentum is gaining to use geothermal energy as a more prominent source of alternative energy.

Geothermal energy is a continuous source of energy since the heat is trapped inside the earth, without depleting. This places geothermal energy above sporadic wind and solar energy, which tends to have a capacity factor of only 20-35%; geothermal capacity is more than 70%.

Although global energy use from geothermal sources today only amounts to less than 1%, geothermal projects now exist in around 20 countries around the world.

Advantages of geothermal energy:

5. You can have one in your backyard
4. Maintenance costs are low
3. The amount of land needed is low
2. Energy output is unaffected by changing weather conditions
1. It’s renewable

Disadvantages of geothermal energy:

1. Produces greenhouse gases during production and maintenance
2. They could affect their surrounding environment
3. If a system is too large for its site, the energy could dry up

Technology of geothermal energy

To understand and learn more about geothermal energy, visit the Geothermal Energy Association

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This entry was posted on Monday, July 28th, 2008 at 1:15 pm and is filed under Alternative Energy. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.