The Environment Magazine

Ferrero Zhang 
California High School, San Ramon, CA, 94583

As humans continue to harvest raw materials from our environments, the planet we’ve known as home for the longest time is slowly being torn apart. Many, realizing the seriousness of this situation, have been endlessly searching for a solution through renewable energy. Although not widely known, geothermal energy is actually an extraordinary way to renew energy.

“Geo” means earth, and “therme” means heat. Therefore, geothermal energy is a renewable energy source relating to the use of heat within the Earth’s core. With this heat, humans can generate electricity or heat buildings. In other words, geothermal energy is dependent on the consistent heating of the Earth.

The heat formed through Earth’s core is made from the decay of radioactive elements, making up about 50% of the total heat produced. Most of the elements are isotopes, which are different forms of the same elements, such as uranium, thorium, and potassium. The decaying process releases energy in the form of heat. This heat is essential in the moving of plate tectonics, volcano activity, mountain formations, as well as geothermal energy.

Figure1: Geothermal Power Plants. http://www.archive.epa.gov

Geothermal energy is transported through geothermal power plants. First, water is heated and rises up since it has a lower density. As the steam rises from the boiling water, it turns turbines in the nearby geothermal power plants. As the turbines spin, they generate energy to power buildings.

Power plants are usually found within regions with constant geothermal activity. Such places include tectonic plate boundaries, volcanic activity, geysers, and underground reservoirs. These places provide enough heat to generate energy.

Geothermal energy is a great energy source for many reasons. First of all, it is renewable and endless, as the Earth’s heat will never run out. Secondly, it is very reliable, unlike solar or wind power. Also, geothermal energy requires much less space compared to solar or wind farms.

Although geothermal energy is very reliable and clean, it also has some downsides. First of all, installing geothermal power plants is not an easy task. It requires drilling and setup, which can be quite expensive. Another reason it isn’t the best choice is that its locations can be very limited. After all, the power plants can only be installed in places where there is constant geothermal activity. In addition, having power plants in those places can clash with wildlife and tourism in the area.

Despite these complications, geothermal energy is a great renewable energy source for several reasons: its reliability, endlessness, and small land footprint. Although not a common renewable energy source, it has fewer complications than other sources such as solar or wind power. 

References

 “Geothermal Basics.” US Department of Energy, http://www.energy.gov/eere/geothermal/geothermal-basics.

Press, Paul. “What Keeps the Earth Cooking?” Berkeley Lab News Center, 17 July 2011, newscenter.lbl.gov/2011/07/17/kamland-geoneutrinos/.

“U.S. Energy Information Administration.” Geothermal Explained, 27 Dec. 2022, http://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/geothermal/.

“Understanding Geothermal Energy.” Amigo Energy, 7 Dec. 2020, amigoenergy.com/blog/understanding-geothermal-energy/.