Harnessing Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy refers to energy rooted in the Earth's core. The center of the planet is extremely hot which means a constant potential source of steam. Steam is the mainstay of many electrical plants as the steam is used to move a turbine or generator that creates power. Most often, fossil fuels or nuclear fission are used to heat water to the point it transforms into steam. This is where issues arise as fossil fuels damage the atmosphere when burned and uranium is radioactive. The Earth, however, has all the heat we need to produce more steam than we can handle.

How to Access the Center of the Earth

Tectonic plates are located all over the world. The edges of these plates are where the heat from the planet is most accessible from land. Currently, California, South America, Africa and parts of Asia have access to tectonic edges were geothermal energy can be produced.

In order to access the heat, drills are used to reach the edge of the plate. Then, water is heated in the plants and the resulting steam is used to move generators and create power. In some instances, experimental plants have been set up off the plate edge, but drilling in the wrong place can lead to earthquakes or the loss of tens of millions of dollars if the geothermal energy cannot be harnessed.

Deeming the planet's heat as renewable is not completely true. We have no idea how long the heat from compression and chemical reactions will last.

Learn more about what is geothermal energy.

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