If you were to break up the word geothermal, "geo" means Earth and "thermal" means heat. Geothermal energy is heat that is produced in the core of the Earth.
How does Geothermal energy work?
Most Geothermal energy reaches Earth's surface through various energy sources, such as a geothermal power plant. A geothermal power plant operates by tapping into steam or hot water reservoirs underground, and contracting that heat into an electrical generator.
How is Geothermal energy created?
Due to the very hot temperature of the core (over 11,000 degrees fahrenheit), heat is always being produced within the Earth by the slow decay of radioactive particles.
What is the cost to install geothermal energy sources?
The cost to install geothermal energy sources can vary with the square footage of the house and the type of geothermal energy source. However, prices usually range from around $20,000 to $25,000.
Benefits:
Geothermal power plants do not burn fuel to generate electricity, so their emission levels are very low. They release less than 1 percent of the carbon dioxide emissions of a fossil fuel plant.
Geothermal plants emit 97 percent less acid rain - causing sulfur compounds than are emitted by fossil fuel plants. After the steam and water from a geothermal reservoir have been used, they are injected back into the earth.
Drawbacks:
Geothermal energy using wells requires an incredible usage of water.
Discharge into the Earth could include sulfur dioxide and silica (well pumps).
Greenhouse gas below Earth’s surface can potentially migrate to the surface and into the atmosphere. Such emissions tend to be higher near geothermal power plants, which are associated with sulfur dioxide and silica emissions.
*Geothermal energy is clean and safe for the surrounding environment, but it supplies less than 10 % of the world's energy. In the United States, we only use less than 1% of geothermal power plants.