Disadvantages and Advantages of Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy is one of the most talked about and promising alternative energy sources that we have discovered thus far. It involves harnessing the natural heat that is laying beneath the earth’s crust, as magma. Heat creates energy, which can be generated and used for many different purposes. It is a completely green source of energy, which is exactly what the planet needs in in’s current state. While geothermal energy may seem like the answer to the energy problem, it certainly has some problem’s itself.

The Advantages of Geothermal Energy

1. Abundance of Energy
There is no shortage of heat underneath the earth’s crust. This heat is stored in the magma that is flowing plentifully just beneath our feet. This is one of the most important reasons that geothermal energy is being considered as the best alternative energy source. In fact, it has been estimated that the amount of energy found in the earth’s heat is more abundant than all of the fossil fuels combined.

2. Cost Savings for Everyday People
If you opt to utilize geothermal energy in your residential home, the government offers up some pretty hefty tax credits for you! Along with this wonderful incentive, geothermal energy is also significantly cheaper per kilowatt hour than other types of electricity, giving you a great deal of savings each and every month.

3. As Green As It Gets
There are no carbon gases, or green house gases, emitted at all with the harnessing, processing, or use of geothermal energy. These gases are the ones that are responsible for major environmental issues, such as global warming. Another benefit is that there is no other types of fuel needed to transport or process the energy that is harnessed.

4. Replenished Quickly
The temperature that is needed to generate geothermal energy is very high, but luckily, the magma within the earth is far higher. There is no risk of depleting the energy source because it is constantly heating itself up, even if outside sources where to cool it for any reason.

The Disadvantages of Geothermal Energy

1. Initial Costs Are High
The costs of equipment, knowledge, and constructing the generation site is very high. This cost is actually much higher than most other forms of alternative energies and their associated costs. It also takes a very high level of skill and education to work with geothermal energy, which further increases the cost of using it.

2. The Extent of Damage is Unknown
The process of obtaining geothermal energy involves drilling deep into the earth’s crust. Doing this over and over again, and in different places all over the world, could have extremely detrimental effects on the integrity and structure of our planet as a whole. Environmental effects such as this have not yet been fully researched.

3. Suitability Is Rare
In order for an area to be good for geothermal energy harnessing, it must be remote, yet close enough to utilize the energy produced. Along with this tricky aspect, the ground and tectonic plates must also be evaluated to ensure it is safe to drill in that specific area. There are a seemingly unlimited amount of hoops that must be jumped through in order to drill for geothermal energy.

4. An Extreme Level of Care and Caution
Working conditions and just about everything else surrounding geothermal energy is dangerous and has the potential to cause extreme bodily harm, or even death, to the workers and people in the area. This is one of the biggest concerns revolving around the use of geothermal energy on a wide scale basis.

Important Facts About Geothermal Energy

  • Geothermal Energy is currently the main source of energy in Iceland.
  • Volcanic rich areas are the best suited for geothermal energy generation.
  • Less than 1 percent of all energy use and production in the United States comes from geothermal energy.
  • Hot springs are a form of natural geothermal energy that people have been using and enjoying for thousands upon thousands of years.
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