Geothermal Power as Alternative Energy
We should be doing everything possible to develop
geothermal energy technologies. This is a largely untapped area of
tremendous alternative energy potential, as it simply taps the energy
being naturally produced by the Earth herself. Vast amounts of power are
present below the surface crust on which we move and have our being. All
we need do is tap into it and harness it.
At the Earths' core, the temperature is 60 times greater than that of
water being boiled. The tremendous heat creates pressures that exert
themselves only a couple of miles below us, and these pressures contain
huge amounts of energy. Superheated fluids in the form of magma, which
we see the power and energy of whenever there is a volcanic eruption,
await our tapping. These fluids also trickle to the surface as steam and
emerge from vents. We can create our own vents, and we can create out
own containment chambers for the magma and convert all of this energy
into electricity to light and heat our homes. 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 be fitted down into the source,
and the fluids forced to the surface to produce the needed steam. The
steam would turn a turbine engine, which would generate the electricity.
There are criticisms of geothermal energy tapping which prevent its
being implemented on the large scale which it should be. Critics say
that study and research to find a resourceful area is too costly and
takes up too much time. Then there is more great expense needed to build
a geothermal power plant, and there is no promise of the plant turning a
profit. Some geothermal sites, once tapped, might 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 worry that
bringing up magma can bring up potentially harmful materials along with
it.
However, the great benefits of geothermal energy would subsume these
criticisms if only we would explore it more. The fact that geothermal
energy is merely the energy of the Earth herself means it does not
produce any pollutants. Geothermal energy is extremely efficient—the
efforts needed to channel it are minimal after a site is found and a
plant is set up. Geothermal plants, furthermore, do not need to be as
large as electrical plants, giant dams, or atomic energy facilities—the
environment would thus be less disrupted. And, needless to say, it is an
alternative form of energy—using it would mean we become that much less
dependent on oil and coal. Perhaps most importantly of all—we are never,
ever going to run out of geothermal energy, and it is not a commodity
that would continuously become more expensive in terms of real dollars
as time passes, since it is ubiquitous. Geothermal energy would be, in
the end, very cheap, after investigation and power plant building costs
are recouped.
About the Author: D. Benjamin is the owner of
iapsales.com LLC - a family business specializing in HVAC products. We
are distributors of
Qmark Heaters,
electric tankless water heaters,
bathroom heaters,
patio heaters, electric heaters, portable air
conditioners & electric towel warmers. Shop online at
www.heateroutlet.com for these great home improvement products.
Iapsales.com LLC was established in 2003 and is the sister company to
Innovative Air Products located in historical Exeter, NH. We are a 2nd
generation manufacturers’ rep firm dedicated to providing residential &
commercial heating, ventilation and air-conditioning equipment. We offer
a great selection online at the lowest prices anywhere. We can also be
found on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube