Pros and Cons of Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy harnesses heat from the Earth’s core to generate electricity and heat buildings. Pros include sustainability, low emissions, and reliability, while cons involve high upfront costs, geographical limitations, and potential environmental risks like gas emissions. It offers a stable energy source but requires specific geological conditions for viability.

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How Does Geothermal Energy Work?

Geothermal systems extract heat from underground reservoirs via wells. Hot water or steam drives turbines to produce electricity. Closed-loop systems re-inject spent fluids, minimizing waste. This process leverages Earth’s consistent subsurface temperatures, making it a stable energy source compared to weather-dependent renewables like solar or wind.

Recent advancements include binary cycle power plants, which use lower-temperature resources (as low as 57°C) to heat a secondary fluid with a lower boiling point than water. This expands geothermal viability to regions previously deemed unsuitable. For direct heating applications, district heating systems in countries like Iceland circulate geothermal water through insulated pipelines to warm homes and businesses, achieving 95% efficiency compared to 50–60% for traditional boilers.

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What Are the Environmental Benefits of Geothermal Energy?

Geothermal plants emit 99% less CO₂ than fossil fuel plants. They use minimal land and reduce reliance on non-renewables. Enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) further lower ecological disruption. However, trace gases like hydrogen sulfide can escape during extraction, requiring advanced filtration to mitigate air quality impacts.

Geothermal facilities also conserve water resources. While a 1 MW geothermal plant uses 1,700 gallons of water per hour, coal plants consume 2,100 gallons for the same output. Closed-loop systems recycle 90% of extracted water, compared to single-pass cooling in nuclear plants. Additionally, geothermal landscapes can coexist with agriculture – New Zealand’s Ngāwhā geothermal field supports dairy farming alongside energy production.

How Does Geothermal Energy Compare to Solar and Wind Power?

While solar and wind dominate renewable growth, geothermal provides critical grid stability. The U.S. Department of Energy notes geothermal plants can ramp output up/down 30% per minute to balance variable solar/wind generation. Hybrid projects like Coso Geothermal’s California plant use excess solar to recharge geothermal reservoirs during peak daylight hours.

Dr. Susan Petty, CTO of AltaRock Energy: “Geothermal’s potential is untapped. With EGS, we could supply 10% of global electricity by 2050.”

Is Geothermal Energy Expensive?

Initial costs range from $2,500 to $5,000 per kW, higher than solar. However, low operating costs and incentives reduce lifetime expenses by 40–60%.

Can Geothermal Energy Cause Earthquakes?

Yes, fluid injection can induce minor seismicity. Modern projects use real-time monitoring to keep quakes below detectable levels (magnitude <2).

How Long Do Geothermal Systems Last?

Power plants operate 30–50 years. Residential heat pumps last 20–25 years, with underground loops functional for 50+ years with proper maintenance.