The advantages of geothermal energy

1. Renewable and sustainable

Geothermal energy is both renewable and sustainable. It relies on heat from the Earth’s core, which is inexhaustible on a human timescale. We cannot run out of geothermal energy in the same way that there is potential to run out of easily and financially accessible fossil fuel sources like coal, oil, and natural gas.

2. Very low pollution and carbon emissions

Geothermal is a very clean source of energy. According to the Energy Information Administration, geothermal power plants emit 97% less acid rain-causing sulphur compounds and nearly 99% less carbon dioxide than fossil fuel power plants.

3. Consistent and stable source of energy

The Earth’s core is always generating heat, meaning geothermal power plants can provide consistent and stable electricity production. This stands in contrast to other renewable sources like wind and solar which rely on wind and sunlight to generate power.

4. Relatively small land footprint

Compared to other energy sources, geothermal has a smaller land footprint. According to a study that compared the land use intensities of nine different sources of energy (wind, photovoltaic solar, concentrated solar, geothermal, nuclear, coal, natural gas, hydroelectric, and biomass), geothermal was the second least land-intensive.

5. Long-term cost efficiency and effectiveness

Geothermal plants can sustain operation for 30-50 years or longer. This is a rather favorable comparison to other power plants such as:

• Photovoltaic solar: 30-35 years
• Wind turbines: 30 years
• Coal plants: 10-40 years

While geothermal plants can have high upfront costs, there longevity, durability, and capability to generate energy at very low costs makes it a very attractive source for power.

6. Several uses and applications

One of the most intriguing benefits of geothermal energy is its wide range of applications. In addition to generating electricity, geothermal can be used for heating and cooling buildings.

7. Encourages energy independence

Like all domestic sources of energy, geothermal utilized within the United States can limit the need to import fuels from other nations.

8. Decentralization

Depending on where your home is located, small-scale geothermal systems can be implemented that allow for energy dependence at the household level.

9. Job creation

Compared to other realms of the energy sector, geothermal has a long way to go in terms of jobs created. Because there is such large potential to expand our use of geothermal in the United States, there are many more jobs to be made along the way.

10. Cost reduction with decommissioned oil wells

Exploration for sources of geothermal can be very expensive. Fortunately, decommissioned oil wells that are already well-known as sources of geothermal energy can be repurposed. This can help reduce the high initial cost of developing new geothermal energy plants.

The disadvantages of geothermal energy

1. High initial costs

After a geothermal plant is operational, they are quite cost-efficient. However, the upfront costs are limiting the expansion of this renewable source of energy. A report released by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory specifically cites the high cost of drilling as a barrier to the development of additional geothermal resources.

2. Location-specific

There are specific locations around the globe that have easy access to geothermal energy resources. Typically, they center around major tectonic plate boundaries. In these areas it’s common to find volcanoes, hot springs, and geysers.

The location-specific nature of geothermal makes it cost-prohibitive or impossible in certain parts of the globe.

3. Drilling may lead to environmental contamination

Drilling and fluid injection deep beneath the earth for geothermal energy systems can lead to the discharge of dissolved solids that can contaminate local water supply and ecosystems. These harmful materials include sulfur, chlorides, silica compounds, vanadium, arsenic, mercury, nickel, and other various toxic heavy metals.

4. Relatively limited scalability

Because only certain areas are suitable for geothermal activity and the development of geothermal energy systems, especially at the scale needed to contribute value to utility grid, geothermal energy is not as scalable as other options for electricity generation.

5. Noise and visual impact

According to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute, the construction of geothermal power plants is a loud process. This can be potentially disruptive to people or animals who live nearby.

6. Drilling and fluid injection may cause small earthquakes

Drilling down to the energy source for a new geothermal energy plant, as well as the fluid injection required for their ongoing operation, can lead to small earthquakes near the power plant. These are to be expected and generally go unnoticed by the people in the area and do not harm the plant or its ability to operate. Experts are working to prevent instances of larger, damaging earthquakes. In the decades-long history of geothermal energy production, there have been very few major earthquakes that have led caused any damage as a result.

7. Limited public awareness

Geothermal energy has been in use for decades, but it is much less popular than it’s wind, solar, hydro, and fossil fuel counterparts. The lack of public knowledge and interest may be a hindrance to the development of additional resources.

8. High exploration costs

After a geothermal plant is operational, they are quite cost efficient. However, the upfront costs A report released by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory

9. Potential for resource usage conflicts

Areas with abundant geothermal energy are often valuable for other reasons beyond their potential use as a source of energy. Some locations with geothermic activity are renowned for their natural beauty, archaeological, or social impacts. Here are some examples:

• Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park
• Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas

The Sierra Club, an environmental non-profit organization, expresses the importance of “planning and zoning” to resolve land-use conflicts.

10. Potential release of hazardous gases

According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the steam vented at the surface from geothermal energy plants and systems may contain harmful gases such as hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, methane, and carbon dioxide. Methane and carbon dioxide are harmful greenhouse gases. Hydrogen sulfide is a highly flammable and explosive gas that can cause life-threatening situations when handled improperly.

Fortunately, as mentioned above, geothermal power plants can be set up to reduce the harm from these gases.

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Geothermal energy is renewable energy that utilizes heat from beneath the Earth’s surface. Heat is produced continuously inside the Earth and can be harnessed for electricity generation and indoor heating.

Because the processes beneath the surface of the Earth that generate heat are ongoing and the heat is replenished constantly, geothermal is considered a sustainable and renewable energy source.

This is in contrast to nonrenewable sources of energy like fossil fuels. Fossil fuels naturally replenish, but coal, oil, and natural gas take hundreds of millions of years to form. As a result of this timescale, it’s possible that humanity could potentially use all of the practically and financially accessible fossil fuel sources.

How does geothermal energy work?

1. In the Earth’s core, heat is generated from the decay of radioactive elements. This heat radiates outward towards the surface of the Earth.
2. Water beneath the surface is warmed by the heat radiating from the Earth’s core.
3. Wells are drilled to access the steam and how water underground and it’s pumped to the surface.
4. Warm water and steam is used to rotate a turbine, which is connected to a generator to create electricity.

Are there any geothermal energy plants in Texas?

As of 2024, there are not currently any geothermal energy power plants contributing electricity to the state’s power grid.

However, this may change in the near future. Texas is well-positioned to have significant geothermal energy infrastructure. Here’s why:

• Geological resources: In Texas, there is an abundance of hot rock formations that are ideal for geothermal energy in the Permian Base, Gulf Coast, and East Texas.
• Oil and gas: Many oil and gas wells in Texas encounter hot water while drilling, which indicates the potential for geothermal energy at accessible depths below the surface. Additionally, many decommissioned oil and gas wells could be repurposed for geothermal projects.

Geothermal energy vs wind and solar

Geothermal, wind, and solar are all renewable energy sources. Only one is capable of providing consistent, baseload power: geothermal.

This is one of the biggest advantages of geothermal over wind and solar. If the wind is not blowing, wind turbines cannot generate power. At night when the sun is not shining, solar panels cannot contribute to the grid. Heat is constantly generated underneath the Earth’s surface thanks to the decay of radioactive elements, which makes geothermal energy a great option for generating consistent and stable baseload power.

What are the downsides of geothermal energy?

Despite its potential, geothermal energy is not without its downsides.

• High initial costs: Exploring for new heat sources and drilling to reach them can incur significant expense.
• Competition: Texas already has abundant wind, solar, and natural gas resources, which can hinder and overshadow the development of geothermal energy.
• Technology readiness: Enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) are still in early stages of commercialization, which could slow down the expansion of geothermal in Texas. Why? Because much of the heat potential in Texas is located where insufficient water and rock impermeability make traditional geothermal energy extraction impossible.

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Geothermal energy is a form of renewable energy that is harnessed from the heat stored beneath the Earth’s surface. This heat is a result of the radioactive decay of minerals and the original formation of the planet. It is continuously replenished, making geothermal energy a sustainable and reliable resource.

Geothermal energy is a fascinating and potent form of power lying right beneath our feet, waiting to be harnessed. In the upcoming sections, we will delve deeper into the mechanics of geothermal energy, exploring how this clean and inexhaustible energy source can be harnessed to power our homes, industries, and the future of sustainable living. Along the way, we’ll answer a number of questions, including:

• Is geothermal a renewable energy source?
• What is the source of geothermal energy?
• How is geothermal energy made?

Why geothermal energy is considered renewable

Renewable and sustainable

Geothermal energy is categorized as a renewable energy source due to its origination from the Earth’s constant and infinite heat. Unlike fossil fuels, which are finite and can deplete over time, the Earth’s core will continue to generate heat for billions of years to come. 

This remarkable characteristic of geothermal energy perfectly aligns with the sustainability goals of companies like BKV Energy, which strive to cater to the energy demands of today without compromising the needs and resources of future generations. With its inexhaustible nature and long-term viability, geothermal energy stands as a beacon of hope for a greener and more sustainable future.

What makes geothermal energy green?

Geothermal energy is considered “green” due to its minimal environmental footprint. Unlike traditional power plants, geothermal power plants do not burn fuel to generate electricity.

Instead, they tap into the Earth’s natural heat to produce clean, renewable energy. By harnessing this geothermal energy, these power plants significantly reduce the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere, helping to create a cleaner and more sustainable environment for future generations.

Is geothermal energy sustainable?

Yes, geothermal energy is indeed sustainable. It harnesses the power of Earth’s natural heat, which is constantly replenished, providing a consistent and reliable source of energy.

Geothermal power plants, utilizing advanced technologies, can operate continuously, 24/7, regardless of weather conditions or time of day. This sets geothermal energy apart from other renewable sources like solar or wind, which may be dependent on external factors and intermittently available. 

Geothermal energy: The renewable mechanism

How is geothermal energy renewable?

The renewability of geothermal energy comes from the Earth’s ability to maintain its internal heat naturally. The vast reservoirs of hot water and steam beneath the Earth’s crust can be tapped for human use and then re-injected back into the ground in a cycle that can be repeated almost indefinitely.

What is the source of geothermal energy?

Geothermal energy comes from the Earth’s core, where temperatures can reach over 5,000 degrees Celsius. This heat is transferred to the Earth’s crust through conduction and convection. Areas with high geothermal activity, such as hot springs, geysers, and volcanic regions, are prime spots for geothermal energy extraction.

Geothermal energy resources

Geothermal resources encompass the reservoirs of hot water and steam that reside beneath the Earth’s surface. These valuable resources are categorized based on their temperatures, which include low, moderate, and high enthalpy levels. High-enthalpy resources, characterized by their higher temperatures and energy content, are often harnessed for electricity generation, contributing to sustainable power production.

On the other hand, lower-enthalpy resources, though slightly cooler, still possess ample thermal energy to be utilized for heating applications, such as geothermal heating systems, promoting energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions.

Type of geothermal power plants

Geothermal energy production

Geothermal power plants harness the steam and hot water from the Earth and use it to drive turbines connected to electricity generators. There are three main types of geothermal power plants: dry steam, flash steam, and binary cycle, each utilizing different methods to extract and convert geothermal energy into electricity.

Dry steam plants

Example: The Geysers in California, USA

The Geysers, located in Northern California, is the largest complex of geothermal power plants in the world. It’s a dry steam field that directly uses geothermal steam to turn turbines.

Flash steam plants

Example: Cerro Prieto Geothermal Power Station in Baja California, Mexico

Cerro Prieto is one of the largest geothermal power stations in the world. It uses high-pressure hot water from the ground, which is allowed to ‘flash’ into steam as it rises due to the lower pressure at the surface, which then drives the turbines.

Binary cycle power plants

Example: Chena Geothermal Power Plant in Alaska, USA

The Chena power plant in Alaska is a binary cycle plant, which is particularly suitable for the lower temperature resources available in the area. It operates by passing hot geothermal fluid through a heat exchanger, where it heats a secondary fluid (like isobutane) that has a lower boiling point and flashes to vapor at a lower temperature than water. This vapor then drives the turbines.

Geothermal energy for heating and cooling

Geothermal energy is not only a powerful source for electricity generation but also an efficient solution for heating and cooling applications. This sustainable energy harnesses the stable temperatures of the earth to manage climate control in buildings and homes.

Geothermal heat pumps (GHPs)

Geothermal Heat Pumps (GHPs) are the most common method for harnessing geothermal energy for heating and cooling. They utilize the earth’s constant underground temperature to transfer heat to or from a building.

How GHPs work

Heating: During colder months, GHPs circulate a water-based solution through a loop system underground. This fluid absorbs heat from the ground and carries it into the building. Inside, a heat exchanger extracts the heat from the fluid to warm the air, which is then distributed throughout the building.

Cooling: Conversely, in warmer months, the system is reversed. The pump extracts heat from the building and transfers it to the ground, which is cooler than the air above surface level. This process removes heat from the building, thereby cooling it.

Advantages of geothermal heating and cooling

• Energy Efficiency: GHPs are incredibly energy-efficient, often cutting utility bills by 30-50% compared to conventional heating and cooling systems.
• Environmentally Friendly: They reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as they rely on the stable geothermal energy from the earth rather than burning fossil fuels.
• Low Maintenance: GHP systems have fewer moving parts and are protected from the elements underground, resulting in lower maintenance costs and longer lifespans.

Installation and costs

The installation of geothermal heating and cooling systems involves significant upfront costs, primarily due to the need to drill and install the underground loop system. However, the long-term savings on energy bills and the potential for tax incentives can offset the initial investment.

Applications

• Residential: GHPs can be installed in individual homes, providing efficient heating and cooling, as well as hot water in some configurations.
• Commercial: Large office buildings, schools, and other facilities can utilize geothermal systems to manage their climate control needs more sustainably.
• District Heating: Some communities leverage centralized geothermal heating systems to provide heat to multiple buildings or homes, optimizing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the system.

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