Geothermal comes from the greek word Geo which means earth and thermal which means heat. So,Geothermal energy means energy or power extracted from beneath the earth. The energy inside the earth was formed by the decay of minerals and forests several years ago. Traditionally, it was used for bathing and heating purposes but today it is also used for generating electricity. Geothermal energy is called renewable source of energy because heat is continuously produced inside the earth.
The ancient Romans used hot springs to heat their baths and homes. This “magic water” was also used for medicinal and cooking purposes.
Archaeological evidence shows that the first human use of geothermal resources occurred more than 10,000 years ago in North America, with the settlement of Paleo-Indians around hot springs.
In fact hot springs seem to have been one of our earliest luxuries. Wherever in the world hot water came to the surface, we have used it for remedial bathing.
The first known commercial use of geothermal energy in the United States occurred in Hot Springs, Arkansas in 1830. Asa Thompson charged one dollar each for the use of three spring-fed baths.
A hotel in Oregon USA used geothermal energy from underground hot springs to heat rooms in 1864.
The first industrial use of geothermal energy began near Pisa, Italy in the late 19th century. Steam coming from natural vents (and from drilled holes) was used to extract boric acid from the hot pools that are now known as the Larderello fields.
It was not until the start of the 20th century that geothermal power was used to make electricity.
In 1904 Prince Piero Conti, owner of the Larderello fields, ended a long-standing dispute with the local electricity company and attached a generator to a natural-steam-driven engine. It was a small generator which only lit four light bulbs - but the first of its kind none the less!
This experiment led to the installation of the worlds first geothermal power plant, in 1911, with a capacity of 250 kilowatts. By 1975 the Larderello fields were capable of producing 405 megawatts of power.
It was the world's only industrial producer of geothermal electricity until 1958, when New Zealand built a plant in Wairakei.
The Geysers Resort Hotel, California, was the site of the first geothermal power plant in the United States. It was built in 1922 by John D. Grant, and was capable of generating enough electricity to light the entire resort. It ceased operation when cheaper power sources became available. The first geothermal plant in USA started in 1922 with a capacity of 250 kilowatts. It produced little output and due to technical glitch had to be shut down. However, in 1946 first ground-source geothermal heat pump installed at Commonwealth Building in Portland, Oregon
Archaeological evidence shows that the first human use of geothermal resources occurred more than 10,000 years ago in North America, with the settlement of Paleo-Indians around hot springs.
In fact hot springs seem to have been one of our earliest luxuries. Wherever in the world hot water came to the surface, we have used it for remedial bathing.
The first known commercial use of geothermal energy in the United States occurred in Hot Springs, Arkansas in 1830. Asa Thompson charged one dollar each for the use of three spring-fed baths.
A hotel in Oregon USA used geothermal energy from underground hot springs to heat rooms in 1864.
The first industrial use of geothermal energy began near Pisa, Italy in the late 19th century. Steam coming from natural vents (and from drilled holes) was used to extract boric acid from the hot pools that are now known as the Larderello fields.
It was not until the start of the 20th century that geothermal power was used to make electricity.
In 1904 Prince Piero Conti, owner of the Larderello fields, ended a long-standing dispute with the local electricity company and attached a generator to a natural-steam-driven engine. It was a small generator which only lit four light bulbs - but the first of its kind none the less!
This experiment led to the installation of the worlds first geothermal power plant, in 1911, with a capacity of 250 kilowatts. By 1975 the Larderello fields were capable of producing 405 megawatts of power.
It was the world's only industrial producer of geothermal electricity until 1958, when New Zealand built a plant in Wairakei.
The Geysers Resort Hotel, California, was the site of the first geothermal power plant in the United States. It was built in 1922 by John D. Grant, and was capable of generating enough electricity to light the entire resort. It ceased operation when cheaper power sources became available. The first geothermal plant in USA started in 1922 with a capacity of 250 kilowatts. It produced little output and due to technical glitch had to be shut down. However, in 1946 first ground-source geothermal heat pump installed at Commonwealth Building in Portland, Oregon
During the 1960′s, pacific gas and electric began operation of first large scale geothermal power plant in San Francisco, producing 11 megawatts. Today there are more than 60 geothermal power plants operating in USA at 18 sites across the country.
The largest group of geothermal power plants in the world - 21 in total - are now located at The Geysers in California.
The original turbine installed at The Geysers, lasted for more than 30 years, and produced 11 Megawatts of power. The Geysers are currently owned by the Calpine corporation and the Northern California Power agency. It currently produces over 750 Megawatts of power.
The 1950's saw the production of the first "water source" heat pumps designed for residential applications. In the early 1960's the water source heat pump was introduced into commercial and institutional applications.
By the 1980's, early versions of the geothermal heat pumps (GHP) we use today evolved from the water source heat pump industry. GHP's are rapidly growing in popularity, and GHP technology continues to evolve to this day.
Today, 69 geothermal power facilities are in operation at 18 sites around the United States, and geothermal power is generated in over 20 countries around the world.
Geothermal power supplies less than 1% of the world's energy in 2008 - however by 2050 it is anticipated that geothermal power will meet between 10-20% of the worlds energy requirements.
This heat is brought to the near-surface by thermal conduction and by intrusion into the earth's crust of molten magma originating from great depth. As groundwater is heated, geothermal energy is produced in the form of hot water and steam.
Geothermal energy is produced inside the earth’s surface. The earth’s layer consists of innermost layer called Iron Core which itself has two layers: solid iron core and an outer core made of hard rock, called magma, mantle which surrounds the core and the outermost layer called crust which forms oceans and continents.
When magma comes close to the earth’s surface i.e. crust it heats up the ground water which gets trapped in porous rocks. They may also flow along faults and fractured rock surfaces. Now these hydrothermal resources have 2 ingredients: water (Hydro) and heat (thermal). When these hydrothermal resources occur naturally these are called Geothermal reservoirs. Various tools and techniques are used nowadays to detect geothermal reservoirs.
As effect of climate change started showing results, governments of various countries joined hands to fight against it, for which Kyoto Protocol was signed in Japan in 1997, laid out emission targets for rich countries and required that they transfer funds and technology to developing countries, 184 countries have ratified it.
Geothermal power today supplies less than 1% of the world's energy in 2009 needs but it is expected to supply 10-20% of world's energy requirement by 2050. Geothermal power plants today are operating in about 20 countries which are actively visited by earthquakes and volcanoes.
Geothermal Energy Existence
Geothermal energy exists in the form of: 1) Volcanoes 2) Hot Springs 3) Geysers
Geothermal energy is clean and sustainable and environment friendly. It may be noted that the so called ‘ring of fire’ of the Earth envelopes the Pacific rim. Though there are over 300 hot springs sites in India, this form of energy is yet to be tapped. In USA, California generates highest amount of electricity through Geothermal energy.
Future Of Geothermal Energy
The future of geothermal energy depends on three factors: it’s demand, supply and it’s competitiveness among other renewable resources in terms of cost, availability, reliability etc.. Demand for geothermal energy is going to increase and increase with the increase in the population and extinction of other non-renewable sources. Moreover, today government also support the resources which are cleaner and do not spoil the environment.
Supply of geothermal energy is limited and confined to certain areas only. The entire resource of geothermal energy is fairly bigger than that of coal, oil and gas. Geothermal energy can be made more widely available if the methods and technologies used to extract it are improved. Geothermal energy is still not explored fully. Several miles below the earth surface is hot, dry rock being heated by the molten magma directly below it.
Geothermal energy exists in the form of: 1) Volcanoes 2) Hot Springs 3) Geysers
Geothermal energy is clean and sustainable and environment friendly. It may be noted that the so called ‘ring of fire’ of the Earth envelopes the Pacific rim. Though there are over 300 hot springs sites in India, this form of energy is yet to be tapped. In USA, California generates highest amount of electricity through Geothermal energy.
Future Of Geothermal Energy
The future of geothermal energy depends on three factors: it’s demand, supply and it’s competitiveness among other renewable resources in terms of cost, availability, reliability etc.. Demand for geothermal energy is going to increase and increase with the increase in the population and extinction of other non-renewable sources. Moreover, today government also support the resources which are cleaner and do not spoil the environment.
Supply of geothermal energy is limited and confined to certain areas only. The entire resource of geothermal energy is fairly bigger than that of coal, oil and gas. Geothermal energy can be made more widely available if the methods and technologies used to extract it are improved. Geothermal energy is still not explored fully. Several miles below the earth surface is hot, dry rock being heated by the molten magma directly below it.
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