Geothermal energy
June 8th, 2005
An energy expert from Siemens Switzerland, Willy Gehrer, said, “I’m convinced that in 20 years geothermal power plants will be delivering ten percent of the total electricity produced worldwide.†Using the “hot dry rock” process, he proposes, this unlimited powersource can be utilized from anywhere in the world, unlike other geothermal techniques which require hot springs. Heating is especially easy; while geothermally generated electricity costs 0.12 euros per kilowatt-hour, heat can be generated for 0.02 euros per kilowatt-hour.
Popularity: 2% [?]
June 8th, 2005 at 7:25 pm
According to Wikipedia, Iceland generates 17% of its electricity from geothermal sources.
Side effects of steam generation exist -
June 10th, 2005 at 11:44 pm
the nice part about using the earth below us to control heat is that it’s mainly the same temperature all year round. thus, it’s colder than the building in the summer and hotter in the winter! pretty cool, huh?
June 10th, 2005 at 11:45 pm
yah, Iceland is pretty progressive when it comes to alternative energies (and it also has some of the coolest geology in the world!)
what kind of steam generated side effects are we talking about?
June 11th, 2005 at 9:35 am
oh, i guess teh link didn’t post or something – the side effects are well documented in certain areas; as geothermally-produced steam is used, the underground water is depleted, and so power companies pump more water down to refresh the supply. Unfortunately this has been directly linked to seismic activity in the area, and even some minor earthquakes.
Side effects of geothermal in general, however, include lots of excess heat – a problem shared by most non-renewable powerplants, and which results in ecological problems because water is used to cool the process. I suppose that in cold climates, most of the excess heat would be used to warm buildings, but it could cause major trauma to flora and fauna in warmer areas.
June 14th, 2005 at 11:23 pm
yah, even small changes in temperature and water table level has a drastic impact on the environment.
did you know that apparently Venice gets all its water by sucking it out from underneath it (rather than expensive shipping from further on-shore) and that’s what’s causing it to sink?