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Article #265: Geothermal Energy History And Future

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Archaeological evidence establishes that in the USA.
the beginning of man's application of These geothermal energy springs can be
geothermal energy in North America came separated as low temperature (less than
about more than ten thousand years ago 90°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. The high temperature (greater than 150°C or
natural geothermal energy springs 302°F). The roles which these resources
functioned as a reservoir of geothermal are given are also regulated by
energy for heat and purifying, using temperature. The highest temperature
their minerals as a source of therapeutic sources are mostly utilized solely for
healing. geothermal energy electricity generation.
Although people still soak in shallow Current U.S. geothermal energy power
pools heated from the Earths core, generation totals roughly 2200 MW or
technologists are creating technologies close to the equivalent of 4 large atomic
that will permit us to examine areas more power plants. Uses for low and moderate
than ten miles beneath the Earth's temperature sources can be separated into
surface hunting for geothermal energy. two classes: direct use and ground-source
Currently in the United States Geothermal heat pumps.
Energy accounts for 0.3 percent of power Direct use, as the name implies, requires
though experts predict this could rise to applying the geothermal energy in the
as much as 10% by 2050. water directly (without a heat pump or
Geothermal Energy is heat (thermal) power plant) for applications such as
retrieved from the sub terrain depths of heating of buildings, industrial works,
the land. The thermal energy held in in greenhouses, aquaculture (farming of
the rock of the earth and liquid (that fish) and holiday resorts. Direct use
occupies the cracks and pores inside the projects more often than not use
rock) in the earth's crust. geothermal energy temperatures between
Scientific calculations determine that 38°C (100°F) to 149°C (300°F).
the earth, starting from an entirely Current U.S. Established capacity of
molten state, must have cooled off and direct use schemes totals 470 MW or
become entirely solid several thousand sufficient enough to heat 40,000
years ago without an energy stimulant in average-sized homes.
addition to that of the sun. It is Ground-source heat pumps utilize the
thought that the elemental source of terra firma or groundwater as a heat
geothermal energy is radioactive decay source in wintertime and a heat sink in
occurring deep within the earth summertime. Utilizing geothermal energy
(Burkland, 1973). temperatures of 4°C (40°F) to 38°C
In most areas, this geothermal energy (100°F), the heat pump, a mechanical
reaches the surface in a very diffuse device which moves geothermal energy from
state. However, due to a variety of one area to another, transposes
geological processes, some areas, geothermal heat energy from the soil to
including substantial portions of many the home in winter and from the house to
western states, are underlain by the soil in summer.
relatively shallow geothermal energy. The current production of geothermal
Humans have utilized geothermal energy in energy resources from all uses currently
North America for more than 10,000 years. sits third amongst renewable energies,
Paleo-American Indians used thermal behind hydroelectricity and biomass, and
springs for cooking, and for sanctuary in front of solar and wind. Despite these
and relief. Geothermal energy springs impressive statistics, the current level
were neutral areas where members of of geothermal energy use pales in
fighting nations would bathe collectively comparison to its potential. The key to
in serenity. Native Americans have a wider geothermal energy use is greater
history with every major thermal spring public awareness and technical support.






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