The word geothermal energy is made up of the word geo, which means earth, and the word thermos, which stands for heat or warmth. It is therefore a method of extracting heat from the earth - also known as geothermal energy. As this is infinitely available, it is a form of renewable energy generation.
How does geothermal energy work?
The fact that the earth itself generates heat in its interior forms the basis for heat recovery through geothermal energy.
There are different systems for this. In areas where there are hot springs, the heat is used directly from the hot water. If you drill into the ground, you can use more or less heat (for a detached house or an entire residential complex) depending on the depth (the deeper, the hotter). The deeper the borehole, the more complex and cost-intensive it is, of course. In the case of large systems, this involves several kilometers.
Advantages of geothermal energy
Sustainable and renewable
The heat from the earth's interior is inexhaustible, can be used around the clock and has no significant environmental impact.
Low emissions
Geothermal energy emits very little CO2. This is a great advantage for our climate.
Stable energy source
In contrast to renewable energies such as wind and sun, the heat in the earth is not dependent on the weather and is always there. This provides a reliable energy supply.
Low space requirement
Compared to solar power plants or wind farms, a geothermal plant requires little space.
Challenges and limits
Location dependency
The earth's layers are not equally warm everywhere, which is why geothermal energy is not available everywhere.
Costs and drilling depth
Drilling is very expensive. They require special equipment, specialists and, depending on the depth, are particularly time-consuming.
Environmental impact
If geothermal energy is used improperly, earthquakes or other changes to the geothermal reservoir can occur.
This form of energy generation can be very useful, especially in suitable regions. However, it still needs a lot of research and development to reduce costs and increase efficiency.
Welcome to Saving energy at school. Here you will find detailed information on the topics from our Metaverse room.
The Metaverse room consists of 7 rooms:
- Entrance
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- Energy saving
- Future
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