La geothermal energy It is one of the most unknown renewable energy sources. It is a type of clean energy that takes advantage of the heat found inside the Earth to generate electricity, heating and many other uses. Due to its origin, it is available all year round and does not depend on climatic factors, which makes it very attractive, although less visible than other renewable sources such as solar or wind energy. In this article, we will learn in detail How geothermal energy works, its applications, advantages and important aspects that you should know to understand its relevance in the current energy landscape.
Geothermal Energy
Geothermal energy is produced thanks to the internal heat of the earth. This heat comes from the decay of radioactive minerals and residual heat from the formation of the planet. Because heat increases as we go deeper into the Earth (known as geothermal gradient), geothermal energy can be accessed by drilling into the ground at specific locations. There are different types of geothermal deposits, and each offers different levels of utilization depending on the amount and the way in which the heat is stored. The most common sources of geothermal energy involve underground aquifers. with high temperatures or other geothermal deposits such as dry minerals or geysers.
How Geothermal Energy Works: Extraction
The process of extracting geothermal energy varies depending on the type of deposit. Below we describe the main sources of extraction:
Geothermal reservoirs
The geothermal deposits They are located in places where the thermal gradient is greater, which means that the heat is closer to the surface due to the thinness of the Earth's crust. These deposits are more viable in places with volcanic or seismic activity. In order to harness this energy, holes must be drilled into the earth. The process can often be expensive, but the energy potential is enormous.
Hot water reservoirs
deposits of Hot water They can be found both on the surface and below it. Energy is extracted using the heat of the water, which is then recycled through reinjection systems to maintain thermal balance. These aquifers can be used for electricity production or direct heating in the home or industry.
Dry deposits and geysers
In the deposits of dry minerals, the problem is that there is no water present naturally. A fluid must be introduced, which makes the operation considerably more expensive. On the other hand, the geysers They are natural sources where water and steam emerge spontaneously to the surface, facilitating the extraction of heat. However, their management must be careful to avoid damaging the surrounding ecosystems.
How Geothermal Energy Works: Geothermal Power Plant
The geothermal power plants are facilities where heat from the deposits is converted into useful energy, such as electricity or heat for heating. This process is carried out through the connection of a network of pipes that extract steam or hot water to the power generation plant. superheated steam It is used to drive turbines that produce electricity. The steam is then cooled, condensed and reinjected into the earth to maintain the sustainability of the system. This type of energy is particularly useful for regions with high geothermal activity, such as Iceland, which obtains a significant portion of its electricity from geothermal energy.
Types of geothermal plants
There are three main types of geothermal plants:
- Dry steam plants: They use superheated steam at more than 150°C to directly move the turbines.
- Flash steam plants: They separate steam from hot water and use the steam to generate electricity.
- Binary cycle plants: They use an intermediary fluid to transfer heat from hot water or steam to lower temperature locations.
Geothermal energy applications
La geothermal energy It has multiple applications that go beyond the production of electricity.
- Heating and coolingIn many countries, geothermal energy is used to heat districts, entire buildings or even underfloor heating systems in homes.
- IndustryHeat is used in processes such as pasteurization, water desalination and to dry agricultural products or textiles. It is also a great ally of aquaculture for heating ponds.
- agricultural use: Allows greenhouses in cold climates to operate year-round.
The ability of this energy to provide constant heat throughout the year, without depending on climatic fluctuations, makes it an increasingly important option in the global energy chain. As we move towards a decarbonized economy, geothermal energy is presented as a viable and crucial alternative in the fight against climate change, as well as providing a constant energy flow without being limited by atmospheric conditions, as is the case with other renewable energies.