Understanding Geothermal Power: Pros, Cons, and Global Capacity Insights
Geothermal power offers a renewable and environmentally friendly energy solution, currently providing over 11,000 MW of global capacity as of 2010. With Iceland leading at 575 MW accounting for 30% of its production, the U.S. has over 3,000 MW contributing merely 0.3% of its energy needs. This energy source is stable and comes with significant potential estimated between 0.35 to 2.0 TW. However, it faces challenges including high costs, location dependency, and sustainability concerns. Discover the balance of its advantages and disadvantages in this insightful overview.
Understanding Geothermal Power: Pros, Cons, and Global Capacity Insights
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Presentation Transcript
Geothermal Power – Extra Notes • Basics: How much Geothermal Power is in use? • World: 11,000 MW of capacity in 2010 • US: > 3000 MW of capacity 0.3% of national production • Iceland: 575 MW of capacity 30% of national production • 28 GW of direct heating (0.7% primary energy consumption) http://geothermal.marin.org/geopresentation/sld001.htm
Geothermal Power – Extra Notes • Geothermal Pros and Cons • Pros: • Environmentally Friendly • Renewable • Massive Potential • Stable • Great for Heating and Cooling • Cons: • Environmental Issues • Surface Instability (Land Subsidence) • Expensive • Location Specific • Sustainability Issues http://energyinformative.org/geothermal-energy-pros-and-cons/
Geothermal Power – Extra Notes Nitrogen • Pros: • Environmentally Friendly: • Minimal pollutants compared to other technologies • Uses less water than fossil fuel plants • Land footprint is very small Particulate Matter Sulfur Dioxide http://www.geo-energy.org/pdf/reports/AGuidetoGeothermalEnergyandtheEnvironment10.6.10.pdf
Geothermal Power – Extra Notes • Pros: • Environmentally Friendly: • Minimal Pollutants http://geo-energy.org/geo_basics_environment.aspx
Geothermal Power – Extra Notes • Pros: • Environmentally Friendly: • Less fresh water usage • Smaller Land footprint http://www.geo-energy.org/pdf/reports/AGuidetoGeothermalEnergyandtheEnvironment10.6.10.pdf
Geothermal Power – Extra Notes • Pros: • Renewable: • Come from natural resources • Water is replenished • If done correctly, energy can last billions of years • Massive Potential: • Experts estimate 0.35 – 2.0 TW of potential • World Energy Consumption = 15 TW • New technologies (like EGS) + rising energy costs more geothermal reservoirs can be explored profitably http://energyinformative.org/geothermal-energy-pros-and-cons/
Geothermal Power – Extra Notes • Pros: • Stable: • Capacity factors have been demonstrated to be as high as 96% • In reality, global average for geothermal plants is about 73% • http://thinkgeoenergy.com/archives/9644 • Compares favorably to other renewables http://www.geo-energy.org/pdf/reports/AGuidetoGeothermalEnergyandtheEnvironment10.6.10.pdf http://hawaiienergyoptions.blogspot.com/2011/04/ny-times-nearly-ignores-big-wind.html
Geothermal Power – Extra Notes • Cons: • Environmental Issues • Greenhouse gas emissions (minimal) • Noise pollution (minimal) http://www.geo-energy.org/pdf/reports/AGuidetoGeothermalEnergyandtheEnvironment10.6.10.pdf
Geothermal Power – Extra Notes • Cons: • Surface Instability • Hydraulic fracturing in EGS has been associated with increased seismic activity • http://www.treehugger.com/corporate-responsibility/geothermal-power-plant-triggers-earthquake-in-switzerland.html • http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/11/science/earth/11basel.html • Expensive • Capital costs prevent us from reaching geothermal potential • Exploration + Drilling = $2-7 million /MW • Home systems = $3,000 - $10,000 • Payback period = 10-20 years
Geothermal Power – Extra Notes • Cons: • Location Specific • Geothermal resources concentrated along tectonic plate boundaries http://greenertomorrow.blogly.net/2010/06/30/geothermal-power-as-alternative-energy/geothermal_hotspots/
Geothermal Power – Extra Notes • Cons: • Sustainability Issues • If done incorrectly, can deplete resources • Must replace fluid at same rate as you extract • Not an issue for geothermal heating
Geothermal Power – Extra Notes • EGS Simulation • http://www1.eere.energy.gov/geothermal/egs_animation.html
Geothermal Power – Extra Notes • Direct Use • http://geothermal.marin.org/geopresentation/sld071.htm