Benefits of Using Geothermal Power

When we examine the advantages of using geothermal energy, it’s easy to get carried away at first blush because geothermal seems to have so much discussion going around it.

Firstly, it obviously has significant advantages over non-renewable fossil fuel because it is safe and poses no danger to the surrounding environment.

Since the hot water used in the geothermal process can be returned into the ground from where it came, it is clearly a sustainable energy source. Plus, by reintroducing this water back into the ground, it helps to generate even more steam for further reuse.

While other renewable sources of energy like solar or wind depend on the highly variable weather conditions, fluctuating on a daily or even hourly basis, geothermal power plants extract their resource from deep within the earth, an area unaffected by the weather.

Yes, these advantages give us a pretty solid reason why this power resource is worth exploring. But we cannot make our mind only from examining the advantages. In order to make the best decision, we need to look at possible disadvantages as well.

How about the disadvantages?

Good news for all geothermal power enthusiasts (like myself). There are not many disadvantages, in fact, only one thing stands out - the very real possibility that geothermal sites can get depleted. And unfortunately, it is this factor that raises a question about the long-term sustainability of these power sources.

While this may represent a major drawback for many of us, it is necessary to take into consideration that majority of geothermal sites that have not been properly assessed until the present day. And it is very much likely, as some of the newest research shows that they can actually replenish more quickly than we think. If this was really the case, we should not have any further reasons to doubt this wonderful and freely accessible source of immense power.

Meanwhile, internet is full of theories, forums, and discussions on these energy matters. For example: If you type “benefit + low specific heat + geothermal” into a search engine you’ll find yourself in the midst of educated and impassioned discussions concerning geothermal energy advantages and disadvantages.

You might be surprised by the strength of the arguments and the ingenuity of some of the theories. The advantages of geothermal energy seem to carry the day online, but if you want some impassioned discussion, enter a forum on energy and just type “advantage or disadvantage geothermal” and then stand back as the sparks fly!