Geothermal energy is a hot topic these days, but what is it, and why is it so steamy?
Geothermal uses heat (the thermal part) from the earth (the geo part) for energy and, yes, heating. As you go deeper in the earth, it warms up (by about 25°C per kilometer). In some places the ground heats up more quickly. That’s where you can find hot springs, geysers, and volcanoes. It’s here where the first commercial geothermal projects were established – dating back to the early 1900s.
So why all the sudden sizzle? Here are a few reasons.
- Timing. The world is moving away from fossil fuels to reduce emissions and is embracing alternative sources of energy like geothermal. Public acceptance (and project funding) has never been higher.
- Consistency. Unlike wind or solar, whose energy outputs depend on the weather (called intermittent sources), the ground is hot all year round, providing a consistent source of baseload energy. Geothermal can even be paired with intermittent energy alternatives for more stable energy output.
- Innovation. Until recently, geothermal projects have been geographically limited to hotter places on Earth where water can be heated up in the ground and pumped back up to surface to generate energy. Innovations, like closed-loop technology, have been shown to work in areas that aren’t in hot spring territory and have even been adapted to use existing oil and gas wells. This opens up the possibility of having geothermal energy in more places.
The potential is big. We could see geothermal brought to remote communities as a source of heat and power. Heat from these projects can be used for greenhouses, which could bring fresh food to remote communities where perishable food often comes with a high price tag. Could geothermal energy reduce energy poverty and food insecurity? Now that’s a hot take!
Leave your thoughts on geothermal energy below!
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