Geothermal... sounds scientific!

The word geothermal (origination from the greek words earth and heat) sounds like a scientific word that is not known to the common person..... but it is quite Amazing! Geothermal energy is a simply fusion of the words earth and heat, meaning to heat from the earth!

This form of energy is just emerging as a practical, reliable, affordable, sustainable and a 100% NON-POLLUTING form of heating and cooling. Its principles are actually quite simple, and the process of acquiring geothermal energy as an energy source have become much more common throughout the past few years (even in Saskatoon there are several companies that specialize in providing this type of energy, for your home, business etc.)!!!!

Here are the specifics in terms we understand:

• The intensity of the thermal energy in the earth increases with depth- ie. the temperature of the Earth increases as we travel closer to its centre. A global average for Earth’s geothermal temperature increase with depth is approximately 30°C/km. Earth contains an incredibly vast and abundant amount of thermal energy.
• Sources like nuclear, coal and natural gas use different processes (i.e. radioactive decay, combustion) to heat water into steam, which is run through a turbine to generate electricity. Geothermal energy uses the escaping heat from Earth’s core as a means to heat water and produce electricity. By drilling deep into the Earth’s interior, we find temperatures suitably high to produce electricity.
  
• Sometimes when we drill deep, there is hot water where the rock is porous (has space for fluids). In this case, we can extract the water from that place in the earth and, using specialized equipment, use it to produce electricity. If there is no water, but the rocks are very hot where drilling is happening, it is possible to inject water to create an enhanced geothermal system (EGS) and heat water where it did not exist before. By using Earth’s thermal energy to heat water instead of processes with harmful by-products like coal and nuclear, geothermal energy can produce clean, reliable electricity as long as heat continues to seep from Earth’s interior (as it has for 4.5 billion years). Further, it is sustainable power because once we have extracted the thermal energy from the water or steam, it can be continuously re-injected deep underground to obtain more geothermal heat.

Great video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ajqiPe_9Ko&feature=related

This is a simple introduction to yet another form of SUSTAINABLE, RELIABLE & 100% NON-POLLUTING energy that is a great alternative to other more harmful energy sources in our environment. Think about it!

Green beans, Chanel and Heather