The advantages of using alternative energies


Geothermal Energy History And Future

Archaeological evidence establishes thatmajor thermal spring in the USA.
the beginning of man's application ofThese geothermal energy springs can be
geothermal energy in North America cameseparated as low temperature (less than
about more than ten thousand years ago90°C or 194°F), moderate temperature
with the settlements of Paleo-Indians at(90°C - 150°C or 194 - 302°F), and
natural geothermal energy springs. Thehigh temperature (greater than 150°C or
natural geothermal energy springs302°F). The roles which these resources
functioned as a reservoir of geothermalare given are also regulated by
energy for heat and purifying, usingtemperature. The highest temperature
their minerals as a source ofsources are mostly utilized solely for
therapeutic healing.geothermal energy electricity
Although people still soak in shallowgeneration. Current U.S. geothermal
pools heated from the Earths core,energy power generation totals roughly
technologists are creating technologies2200 MW or close to the equivalent of 4
that will permit us to examine areaslarge atomic power plants. Uses for low
more than ten miles beneath the Earth'sand moderate temperature sources can be
surface hunting for geothermal energy.separated into two classes: direct use
Currently in the United Statesand ground-source heat pumps.
Geothermal Energy accounts for 0.3Direct use, as the name implies,
percent of power though experts predictrequires applying the geothermal energy
this could rise to as much as 10% byin the water directly (without a heat
2050.pump or power plant) for applications
Geothermal Energy is heat (thermal)such as heating of buildings, industrial
retrieved from the sub terrain depths ofworks, greenhouses, aquaculture (farming
the land. The thermal energy held in inof fish) and holiday resorts. Direct use
the rock of the earth and liquid (thatprojects more often than not use
occupies the cracks and pores inside thegeothermal energy temperatures between
rock) in the earth's crust.38°C (100°F) to 149°C (300°F).
Scientific calculations determine thatCurrent U.S. Established capacity of
the earth, starting from an entirelydirect use schemes totals 470 MW or
molten state, must have cooled off andsufficient enough to heat 40,000
become entirely solid several thousandaverage-sized homes.
years ago without an energy stimulant inGround-source heat pumps utilize the
addition to that of the sun. It isterra firma or groundwater as a heat
thought that the elemental source ofsource in wintertime and a heat sink in
geothermal energy is radioactive decaysummertime. Utilizing geothermal energy
occurring deep within the earthtemperatures of 4°C (40°F) to 38°C
(Burkland, 1973).(100°F), the heat pump, a mechanical
In most areas, this geothermal energydevice which moves geothermal energy
reaches the surface in a very diffusefrom one area to another, transposes
state. However, due to a variety ofgeothermal heat energy from the soil to
geological processes, some areas,the home in winter and from the house to
including substantial portions of manythe soil in summer.
western states, are underlain byThe current production of geothermal
relatively shallow geothermal energy.energy resources from all uses currently
Humans have utilized geothermal energysits third amongst renewable energies,
in North America for more than 10,000behind hydroelectricity and biomass, and
years. Paleo-American Indians usedin front of solar and wind. Despite
thermal springs for cooking, and forthese impressive statistics, the current
sanctuary and relief. Geothermal energylevel of geothermal energy use pales in
springs were neutral areas where memberscomparison to its potential. The key to
of fighting nations would bathewider geothermal energy use is greater
collectively in serenity. Nativepublic awareness and technical support.
Americans have a history with every



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