People realized there was a good potential for energy years ago. Coal was initially used to power engines and generate electricity. However, the environmental impacts of fossil fuels are now being felt. The good news is that people have now found a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels at Utility Bidder. 

You can decide to use renewable energy, such as geothermal, solar energy, hydro power, and wind power to generate electricity. Energy security is now a criterion used to assess a country’s sustainability. Geothermal energy is one of the energy sources that can provide the expanding needs of homes and businesses. This article discusses geothermal energy and everything you have to know.

Understanding geothermal energy

Simply put, geothermal energy refers to energy derived from the earth’s heat. The earth has a double-layered core that comprises extremely hot molten iron that surrounds a solid iron center. Studies indicate that the temperature of this core is between 5,000 and 11,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Because of the slow and continuous decay of radioactive materials, the earth produces heat. Excess magma and heat needs to be released, leading to the importance of the earth’s mantle.

The earth’s core is surrounded by the mantle in at least 1,800 miles of magma and rock. But the outer layer of the earth is not continuous. Instead, it has smaller pieces known as plates, which form continents and ocean floors. These plates are always moving. Continental plates collide or drift apart. In the fractured areas of the crust, faulted or thinned, there is hot magma that comes close to the earth’s surface. Magma that contacts water is what represents geothermal energy.

Renewable energy

Geothermal power is renewable, meaning that it can never run out. And, this applies to the areas that rely on reservoirs of hot water. The amount that is taken out to generate geothermal energy can be re-injected, so this makes this energy a sustainable and efficient resource. In other words. Geothermal power is a renewable resource as it utilizes the heat from the earth, and water is replenished by rainfall and this heat is regularly  produced below the surface.

As you can see, geothermal energy comes from the earth. But this doesn’t mean that this energy is sometimes not visible. It also doesn’t mean that it always contacts the surface of the earth. Apart from many visible signs of geothermal energy, such as geysers, volcanoes, and hot springs, you can not see most geothermal energy.

Sometimes, there are no signs of geothermal power as it’s well-hidden underground. Therefore, to find the source of geothermal energy, geologists try to study aerial photographs or maps to assess the amount of metals in the soil.

You can find several geothermal energy plants that are utilized to transform hot water and steam into electricity. In areas that have geothermal reservoirs that contact the surface of the earth, steam and hot water can be piped to heat homes and public places. When it’s used, water is sent back into the reservoirs where it can be reheated.

John Mali Director of Media Relations

Director of Media Relations at AboutBoulder.com

john@aboutboulder.com