Geothermal Energy
Consumers, the environment, human health, and peace first.
What is Geothermal Energy?
Hot groundwater is pumped from the ground directly into household radiators for heating a home. Geothermal energy can also be used to generate electricity. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Geothermal ground source heat pump systems are one of the most energy efficient, environmentally clean, and cost-effective space conditioning systems available.
The cons?
- Heavy upfront cost
- Minor Environmental impacts
What are the Pros?
-Environmental benefits
- Tax Breaks
- Plants are inexpensive
- Geothermal is a "baseload source"
- Pays off within 3-7 years
- cuts energy bills by 30-40%
"Iceland heats 50% of their homes using Geothermal Energy"
How much does it cost?
-At The Geysers, power is sold at $0.03 to $0.035 per kWh. A power plant built today would probably require about $0.05 per kWh.
-Some plants can charge more during peak demand periods.
-It will cost about 20,000 to 25,000 dollars to install.
Environmental Impacts
- Hot water pumped from underground reservoirs often contains high levels of sulfur, salt, and other minerals. Most geothermal facilities have closed-loop water systems, in which extracted water is pumped directly back into the geothermal reservoir after it has been used for heat or electricity production.
- There's no pollution, no greenhouse emissions, and the cooled water is returned back from where it came from.
Where can it be used?
Anywhere from 10 to a few hundred feet below the surface (virtually in any location).