Steam rising from the Nesjavellir Geothermal Power Station in Iceland
Geothermal Energy – a viable alternative?
Geothermal energy is thermal energy that can be harvested from the earth. There is continuous conduction of energy between the earth’s core and the earth’s surface, allowing for this energy to be converted into heating and electricity. The extreme temperatures at the core/mantle boundary can reach temperatures of 4 000 degrees Celcius, resulting in an upward convection and a heating of the crust. Worldwide, approximately 12 000 megawatts (MW) of geothermal power was being produced in 24 countries in 2012. Close to 30 gigawatts of direct geothermal heating was installed for space heating, warming spas, industrial uses, desalination and agricultural applications in 2010. Geothermal power is very reliable, sustainable, cost effective and environmentally friendly. In the past geothermal power has been most prevalent near tectonic plate locations, but recent technological advancements have greatly increased the scope of energy resources that were not accessible in the past. These new advancements put geothermal energy within greater reach for home heating and a variety of additional applications. What’s more is that the cost of geothermal power has decreased by close to 30% in the last twenty years. This is good news, allowing for greater exploitation of this naturally occurring resource.
Iceland makes use of large amounts of geothermal power which currently supplies approximately 30% of the country's total electricity production. Iceland is further testament to a poor country that relied on coal to produce its energy and then, after moving to geothermal energy production, it has become one of Europe’s countries with the highest standard of living. Close to 90% of Iceland’s primary energy usage came from renewable resources in 2011, of which nearly 70% was geothermal. Geothermal energy is a reliable and environmentally friendly energy source that offers a cost-effective alternative to our current reliance on coal-based and nuclear energy.