Geothermal Power as an
Alternative Energy Source
It's always been obvious to a portion of the the population, but more
and more people are coming to the belief, that someone should be doing
everything possible to develop geothermal energy technologies.
So far, this is a largely untapped area of tremendous alternative
energy potential. What is great about it is that it simply
taps into the energy being naturally produced by the Earth herself.
Vast amounts of power are present below the surface crust on which we
move about as we worry about where our energy will come from in the
future. All we need do is tap into it and harness it.
Earth at High Temperature
Provides Steam Energy
Within the Earths' core, the average temperature is 60 times greater
than that of boiling water. This tremendous amount of heat creates
pressures that express themselves as nearby as only a couple of miles
below us. These areas of pressure include huge amounts of
energy.
Superheated fluids in the form of magma, in which we can see the power
and energy of whenever there is a volcanic eruption, are ready for us
to use them. These fluids also trickle to the surface as steam and
emerge from open vents in the earth's surface. We can even create our
own vents, and we can create our own containment chambers for the magma
and convert all of this energy into electricity to light and heat our
homes.
The Geothermal Power Plant
In the creation of a geothermal power plant, a well would be dug where
there is a good source of magma or heated fluid. Piping would then be
fitted down into the source, and the fluids then forced to the surface
to produce the needed steam. The steam would turn a turbine engine,
which would generate the electricity.
The Critic's Side
There are criticisms of geothermal energy tapping which could prevent
its being implemented on the large scale which it should be. There are
critics who say that study and research to find a naturally productive
area is too costly and takes up too much time. Then there is the great
expense needed to build a geothermal power plant, with no promise of
the plant turning a profit. Some geothermal sites, once tapped, might
possibly be found to not produce a large enough amount of steam for the
power plant to be viable or reliable. And we hear from the
environmentalists who are concerned that bringing up magma can bring up
potentially harmful materials along with it or have other negative
aspects on the environment.
Do the Benefits Outweigh
the Criticisms?
However, the great benefits of geothermal energy may possibly trump
these criticisms if only we would explore it more.
While critics are right that we don't know all we need to know, we will
not ever know the answers unless we follow the natural course of
exploration and experimentation.
A few years ago, critics scoffed at the idea of a hybrid car, while
others scoffed at the idea of gas prices being as high as they are now!
The fact that geothermal energy is merely the energy of the Earth
herself means that it does not produce any pollutants...at least as we
know now. The effects on the environment can already be
studied to some extent at natural vent sites.
The Benefits of
Geothermal Energy
Geothermal energy is extremely efficient. The efforts needed
to channel it are relatively minimal after a site is found and a plant
is set up. Geothermal plants, furthermore, will not need to be as large
as electrical plants, giant hydroelectric dams, or atomic energy
facilities. As a result, the environment would be less
disrupted. Needless to say, it is an alternative form of
energy. Using it would mean we become that much less
dependent on foreign oil and/or domestic coal. Perhaps most importantly
of all, we are never, ever going to run out of geothermal energy while
the earth is inhabitable for humans, and it is not a commodity that
should continuously become more expensive in terms of real dollars as
time passes, since it is so available and easy to obtain.
Geothermal energy would be, in the end, very cheap, after exploration,
experimentation, investigation and power plant construction costs are
recouped.
Severe Gear Synthetic lubricants from Amsoil
provide the proper viscosity for maximum fuel efficiency, cold weather
performance for applications as diverse as tractor pulling, off-road
truck racing, dragster racing, and just plain heavy duty truck
operation.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
---------------------------------------------
Donovan Baldwin is a Dallas area writer. A graduate of the University Of West Florida (1973) with a BA in accounting, he is a member of Mensa and has held several managerial positions. After retiring from the U. S. Army in 1995, he became interested in internet marketing and developed various online businesses. He has been writing poetry, articles, and essays for over 40 years, and now frequently publishes articles on his own websites and for use by other webmasters. He has blogs on the subjects of weight loss and health, hybrid cars and alternative fuels, and internet marketing and related business topics.
---------------------------------------------
NOTE: You have full permission to reprint this
article within your website or newsletter as long
as you leave the article fully intact and include
the "About The Author" resource box. Thanks! :-)
---
