Geothermal energy is an increasingly attractive source of renewable energy, as it has the potential to provide a reliable and consistent supply of power. However, despite its many advantages, geothermal energy is still not widely used in many areas. This is due to a variety of factors, ranging from technical issues to the cost of developing geothermal resources. In this article, we will explore the various factors that contribute to the limited use of geothermal energy and discuss the potential solutions to overcome these obstacles. We will also provide an overview of the current geothermal energy market and highlight its potential for growth. With this information, we hope to uncover the reasons why geothermal energy isn’t used more often and provide potential solutions that could increase its use.
Why Isn’t Geothermal Energy Used More Often?
1. High Initial Costs
The high initial costs of geothermal energy are the primary reason why it is not used more often. Creating the wells that are needed to extract the hot water for energy production is a costly process and therefore not viable for the average household or business. The initial investment required to create the wells and power plants is too high for the average household or business. This limits the use of geothermal energy to only those that can afford to make the necessary investment.
2. Limited Accessibility
The limited accessibility of geothermal energy is another reason why it is not used more often. Geothermal energy is only produced in certain regions of the world, such as areas near volcanoes. This means that areas that are not near volcanoes cannot use geothermal energy. Areas near volcanoes are the only places where the conditions are right for producing the hot water needed to generate geothermal energy.
3. Environmental Concerns
Geothermal energy production has a negative impact on the environment. When the hot water is pumped to the surface, the surrounding environment is altered. There are also emissions created during the energy production process. This makes geothermal energy a poor choice in areas with fragile environments or ecosystems. Areas that are near the equator are particularly vulnerable as the equator is an area where there is a delicate balance between the wet and dry seasons. Any disruption to this delicate balance can have a devastating effect on the local environment and ecosystems. The equatorial regions are also places where the temperatures are naturally very high. This means that the heat from the extracted water is too hot for the natural ecosystems to sustain.
4. Risk of Earthquakes
The risk of earthquakes caused by geothermal energy production is another reason why it is not used more often. The creation of wells leads to the removal of pressure on the Earth’s crust. This can cause earthquakes in areas that are usually seismically inactive. Although these risks can be managed and reduced, they pose too large of a threat to the surrounding environment. Areas that are not near volcanoes or other areas where geothermal energy can be produced are left without a viable source of energy.
5. Low Efficiency
Geothermal energy is a low-efficiency energy source as it takes a lot of energy to produce a small amount of power. The initial costs and environmental concerns related to geothermal energy are the main limitations of this energy source.
Overview Of The Current Geothermal Energy Market
- Currently, geothermal energy only represents a small portion of the energy market compared to other sources, such as coal, natural gas, and nuclear energy. In 2017, geothermal energy accounted for only about 0.7% of global energy production. This is significantly less than solar energy, which accounted for about 10% of global energy production during the same year.
- While the current market for geothermal energy is small, it is expected to grow in the coming years. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) estimates that the geothermal energy market will grow at an annual rate of around 7% over the next decade. This growth is expected to be driven by the increasing demand for renewable energy and the decreasing costs associated with geothermal energy.
- Geothermal energy is derived from the heat contained within the Earth. This heat can be used for a variety of applications, such as powering buildings and producing electricity. Geothermal energy can be extracted by using hot water or steam that is naturally present in the Earth’s crust or by using fluids that are injected into the ground.
- Geothermal energy is cleaner than other forms of energy because it does not produce any harmful emissions during operation. Additionally, it is a reliable source of power because it can be easily controlled to meet the requirements of the grid, as it is not dependent on the weather or other uncontrollable factors. Finally, geothermal energy is also a source of renewable energy, as the Earth’s heat will not run out.
Advantages Of Geothermal Energy
- There are several advantages of geothermal energy, including its clean and reliable nature. Geothermal energy does not produce any harmful emissions during operation, unlike many other forms of energy, such as fossil fuels.
- Additionally, since geothermal energy is not dependent on the weather or other uncontrollable factors, it can be easily controlled to meet the requirements of the grid. Geothermal energy is also a source of renewable energy, as the Earth’s heat will not run out.
- In addition, geothermal energy is a relatively inexpensive source of energy. Geothermal energy is a more cost-effective source of energy than solar energy, which requires expensive and advanced technology to collect.
Limitations Of Geothermal Energy
- Geothermal energy currently has a low capacity to provide energy to the world’s population. There are, however, a few reasons why this is the case. The high initial costs of geothermal energy are one of the main limitations of the resource.
- In order to extract the hot water or steam that is used to generate electricity and provide heat, an area must first be drilled to create a vertical well. Once the well has been created, a pipe is lowered into the well and hot water is pumped up to the surface where it is used to generate clean energy.
- The creation of a vertical well is a costly and complex process. Additionally, it is necessary to cap the well to prevent any contamination from entering the Earth’s crust. The cost of drilling the well and capping it is the primary reason why geothermal energy is not used more often.
- The initial investment required to create the wells and power plants is too high for the average household or business. Limitations of accessibility are another reason why geothermal energy is not used more often. Geothermal energy is only produced in certain regions of the world, such as areas near volcanoes. This is because these areas are the only places where the conditions are right for producing the hot water needed to generate geothermal energy.
- Areas near volcanoes are particularly good for generating geothermal energy as the hot water produced is clean and has low mineral content. Volcanoes create areas of high pressure where the hot water is trapped. This allows the water to stay hot without cooling down. Other areas are not suitable for producing geothermal energy, as the water is too mineral rich.
- This means that it is dirty and contains a high amount of minerals that make it too expensive to clean and use. Environmental concerns related to geothermal energy are another reason why it is not used more often. When the hot water is pumped to the surface, the surrounding environment is altered.
- The ecosystems in and around the extraction site are often disrupted by the creation of the wells and the impact of the water being pumped to the surface. This makes geothermal energy a poor choice in areas with fragile environments or ecosystems. The risk of earthquakes caused by geothermal energy production is also a very valid reason why it is not used more often.
- The creation of wells leads to the removal of pressure on the Earth’s crust. This can cause earthquakes in areas that are usually seismically inactive. Although these risks can be managed and reduced, they pose too large of a threat to the surrounding environment.
- Geothermal energy is a low-efficiency energy source as it takes a lot of energy to produce a small amount of power. The initial costs and environmental concerns associated with geothermal energy are the main limitations of this energy source.
Conclusion
Geothermal energy is a natural and renewable resource that has been known to mankind for centuries. It is a clean form of energy with the potential to heat and cool buildings, generate electricity, and provide hot water for industrial and domestic uses. Despite its potential, there are still limitations to geothermal energy that prevent it from being used more often.
