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As organic based fuels turn out to be much more scarce, scientists are pushing for the research and development of green option fuel. A variety of potential energy sources have been suggested: wind, solar, water, and nuclear to name a few. Even though they are natural, not all are obtainable globally 24/7. There is another choice, one that’s perpetual and found directly under our feet: geothermal energy.

The effects of coal and petroleum have left a sour taste in humanities mouth, which now seeks to find energy that’s cheap, renewable, and ecologically friendly. Despite using the sun, wind, water and nuclear energy for electrical power, there is stil one natural resource that has yet to become harnessed. One that’s cheap, abundant, and efficient: geothermal power.

In order to fully comprehend why geothermal energy is so important, here is a broken down explanation.

What Exactly Is Geothermal Power?

Geothermal power (literally heat from the earth in Greek), is really a phenomena caused by the constant decay of minerals within the earth, absorption from the sun’s rays, and the radiating heat from the Earth’s core, with a temperature of about 9,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Simply because of this, it is perpetual and is found almost everywhere within the world.

How Does it Work?

In order to create electricity, the real power source utilized in homes and offices, turbines need to be spun at energy plants which charge a generator. Water and wind directly charge the generator although sun and nuclear energy indirectly turn them through steam. With geothermal power, heat obtained from rocks and hot springs radiates through turbines with steam. Usually, most geothermal plants harness energy via heated water. However, new technology is being produced that may harness thermal power directly from magma and with water can flash create steam to spin turbines.

Efficiency?

According to the United States’ University of Florida, Hawaii, the island state west of California, has 1 geothermal plant which produces about 25 megawatts of energy for about 5 cents per watt. In total; one geothermal plant accounts for about 1/4 from the entire states electrical power. One geothermal plant accounts for the same power as around three nuclear plants. This is because geothermal power is run 24/7 in contrast to nuclear plants which spend time switching fuel rods and shutting off the core each night.

Abundance?

Wherever there is earth, there is geothermal energy. However, land near tectonic plates, where volcanos, earthquakes, and geysers are found, are the easiest places to extract heat. The only thing this means is thermal plants not in these areas should dig deeper to access much more heat.

Environmental Effects?

The only waste produced is going to be heat; not so bad! Additionally, geothermal power plants are smaller than most, reducing visual pollution and preventing sights like “wind vane forests”.

So there you’ve it. Geothermal Energy provides promising gains for humanity. With the efficiency of nuclear energy without the waste or visual pollution, it offers the greatest gains of any of the alternative fuels.

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