Geothermal energy advantages

The main advantage of geothermal energy is that it can be exploited easily and inexpensively in regions where it is abundantly available in hydrothermal resen/oirs, whether it is used for electricity production or for dircct-usc heat. Gcothcrmally produced electricity from dry-steam sources is vei y cheap, second only to... 

An ideal renewable resource will be one that can be replenished over a relatively short timescale or is essentially limitless in supply. The latter will include solar radiation, geothermal energy, oxygen, carbon dioxide and water. Nor should production or consumption of these resources contribute to the net atmospheric burden of carbon dioxide. Advantage can be taken of the fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide into plant material by the process of photosynthesis. 

Geothermal energy resources are continuous and reliable, sustainable, clean, and can be cost-competitive in meeting baseload capacity needs. Specific advantages of geothermal systems include ... 

In principle the normal geothermal gradient produces a useful temperature difference anywhere on the globe. If a hole is drilled to a depth of 6 kilometers (which is feasible), a temperature difference of about I80°C (324°F) is available, but no technology has been developed to take advantage of this resource. At this depth, water is unlikely, and the problems of extracting the energy are similar to the difficulties encountered with hot, dry rocks near the surface. 

Iceland escapes this dilemma because most of their energy is from clean sources, hydropower and geothermal, rather than from hydrocarbon combustion. Since there are few emissions in the production of their electricity, providing hydrogen by electrolysis does not spoil the zero-emission advantage for Iceland s fuel cells. 

In order to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, new technologies that take advantage of renewable sources of energy are needed. Several clean sources of electricity, such as solar, wind, and geothermal, may be appropriate depending on the application. Hydropower represents a traditional renewable energy source. These renewable sources are described in this section. 

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