Geothermal Heating

Many people interested in Geothermal Energy are thinking about Geothermal Energy Applications. There is a vast potential for non-polluting energy to be generated from the heat of the Earth, whether actively in the case of geothermal energy generation plants or passively, as in the case of heat exchange pumps. Whether you live in a geologically active area or at a relatively stable location, there is a type of geothermal power that can save you a bunch of money on your power bill.

Throughout most of North America, and certainly the most populated parts, there are no magma protrusions anywhere near the surface. This means that all geothermal energy is of the passive sort, distributed by heat pumps from the ground itself or from nearby bodies of water. Heat pumps can be installed in the ground at just about any site. By heating (or cooling) the home to the temperature of the Earth (anywhere from 45-70F or 8-20C), you can significantly save on your heating and cooling costs.

Agricultural uses of geothermal are among the oldest and most commonly found. Hot water pipes may be placed under greenhouse benches to keep plant roots warm. It can heat aquaculture pools, sterilize equipment or process both animals and produce alike. A major use of geothermal is in the drying of fruits and vegetables. Spa pools are another application that happens to be the oldest use of geothermal on record, since it has been utilized thusly since at least Roman times, probably before.

Direct solutions usually use water that emerges from the ground between 68-300F (20-150C). Hotter water than this may be mixed with cool water until suitable for the application, though very hot water is most often used to directly heat a distributed network of buildings with a "district plan" or to spin turbines and create electric current. The latter is the fastest growing segment of the market right now because of the high-level interest in enhanced geothermal systems that have greatly increased the number of sites that may be used for power production.

Engineers can now create sites suitable for power generation by adding large volumes of water, usually recovered water from industrial use, to what are called "hot, dry rocks." Underground caverns that have gone dry after exhausting their water (or never having had any in the first place) can become productive again, drastically lowering the cost of production for all older plants that have already "paid for themselves."

Geothermal energy applications that steam, heat, cool, dry…you name it; the diversity of this technology is great. As new geothermal technologies and refinements come on line, the dominant application will undoubtedly switch to whatever's new and necessary. Since the replacement of carbon producing fuels is imperative now, it is reasonable to expect future geothermal technology to be able to replace other types of coal and petrol consuming activities. Thankfully this will actually represent a decrease in most people's power bills in the long run.

Geothermal Heating |