The umbrella of alternative energy sources is huge and includes many resources: solar power, water, wind, biofuels etc. One of the most powerful yet underdeveloped and underutilized source is that of Geothermal Energy. It is a natural occurring energy source which is readily available just beneath our feet and is produced by the Earth waiting to be taken use of by our brilliant minds. We should be focusing a lot of our energies and aptitudes in harnessing its full potential.
The geothermal energy makes use of the tremendous temperatures at the Earth’s core which creates extreme pressures to be exerted on boiling water thus creating huge amounts of energy via high pressure volcanic hot steam. Moreover, we can use the superheated fluids in the form of magma which seep up to the surface as steam through vents in case of a volcanic eruption. If we are able to create our own super powerful containment chambers for this kind of magma or steam to vent out and then create special turbines to convert this energy into electricity and thus to light and heat, we would strike gold. Usually, the process of harnessing geothermal energy includes digging a well where there is a good source of magma or heated fluid and fitting a piping down the source so that the fluids can be forced out to produce the needed energy in the form of steam. The turbine will then be turned by this steam and generate the electricity.
There are some challenges to be overcome-the costly study and implementation of identifying the areas in which to set it up, the expense needed to build a vast and efficient geothermal power plant, and then all the research and development for developing highly efficient turbines and double checking the entire process to make sure it remains efficient and turns in appropriate amount of profit. There is after all no guarantee that a geothermal site will produce a large amount of steam enough for the power plant to be viable and give good return on investment. Finally, there are many environmentalists who caution about the harmful effects of magma and related materials once it is brought up on the surface of the earth.
In the ultimate analysis, however, the benefits of geothermal energy offset these challenges especially in the long run, especially if we are savvy enough to invest a lot of time and intelligence in carrying out copious amount of research and studies for exploration, viability analysis and final installation. It is one of the cleanest, most naturally available and powerful form of alternative energy source. Once careful study is done and the plant is set up, it will need minimal upgrade and would be profitable and useful in the long run. It would also lessen our dependence on fossil fuels and traditional power as well as on giant dams or probable unsafe atomic energy facilities. And most importantly, it is renewable and will be a giant leap forward for making in its quest for a green clean future.
Originally posted 2010-05-31 21:00:30. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
