Archive for the ‘Earth’ tag

Geothermal Energy: Energy from the Earth

The simplest way to get energy is to use what is already there. The heat in the earth is already there and we just need to dig into it to tap it as a source of energy.
On the surface, we can stand the heat of the earth, but deep below, immense power is stored as tremendous heat.
The core of the earth is over 60 times hotter than boiling water. This heat creates pressure that is just below the surface of the earth. In other words, we don’t have to go to the center of the earth to reach this geothermal energy. If we only dig down three miles, the temperature is over 100, enough to produce steam to produce power.
It is a simple concept: we normally use coal or oil to produce energy which is converted to electricity for our everyday use. The superheated fluids in the earth can produce the same energy to convert to electricity.
This heat is extracted in the form of molten rock (magma).
Water seeps into the earth’s core and pools in little lakes.
The hot rock in the earth heat this water and wells are drilled to bring this heated water to the surface to power generators.
As the superheated fluid passes through pipes, any solids are removed and the water is forced through pressure to produce steam. This steam will power turbines which will power generators. Generators store energy and then send it to transformers that in turn send electricity to power lines.
Geothermal energy has been used for a while, but it is not fully exploited as the source of energy it could be. In the United States, geothermal energy remains a lessor source of energy for many reasons:
a. A lot of study and research must be done to find areas that are most conducive to geothermal energy.
b. Some geothermal sites may not produce steam for a long enough time to run generators.
c. It is very expensive to build a geothermal power plant, and the return is not guaranteed.
d. The process of bringing up the heat may also bring up materials that may be hazardous.
These factors make us wonder whether it it worthwhile to develop this source of alternative energy in a location.
Hopefully, these problems can be outweighed by the benefits:
a. Geothermal energy uses natural heat, and therefore does not cause any pollution.
b. You do not have to use energy to get the energy of geothermal heat, which is sometimes the case of other alternative energy sources.
c. We conserve fuel.
d. It does not require as much room as a traditional power station.
We will have to weigh the pros and cons of geothermal energy before it can be decided how feasible it is to use. But constant developments may eventually make it a perfect alternative fuel.

Geothermal Energy: Tapping Into The Earth

When considering the many sources of renewable energy that could help reduce the United States’ dependence on fossil fuels, much consideration must be give to geothermal energy. ? Geothermal energy is entirely clean and does not pose the health risks associated with the harvesting, use, and burning of fossil fuels. ? It is an affordable and sustainable option, something that should be given great consideration as a viable alternative. Geothermal energy is simply the heat given off by the earth itself. ? The core of the earth contains a layer of magma that continually produces heat. ? This heat is produced by the decay of radioactive materials such as uranium, and over fifty thousand times more energy than contained by all of our oil and natural gas resources can be found in only a 33,000 foot radius of the earth’s surface. Currently, the most common method of harvesting geothermal energy is by tapping into geothermal springs. ? In these springs, cooler water seeps into the ground, only to be heated through convection and rise to the surface as steam. ? This steam is collected and used to power electricity generators. ? Many power plants drill into the earth in order to capture steam more effectively and in greater quantities. Many geothermal reservoirs have been discovered across the globe, each with the capacity to produce as much energy as a thousand wind power plants. ? There is currently much research taking part on a global scale to find effective and safe ways to tap into and utilize this energy. ? The biggest hindrance to mass geothermal energy use has been the buildup of silica inside wells at geothermal power plants. ? Because researchers have recently found ways to help control this costly problem that has long been the biggest barrier to widespread use of geothermal energy, there is much hope that this form of energy will finally receive the attention and consideration it deserves. With the discovery of a way to control silica buildup comes the hope that the energy committees will invest more research and money into geothermal energy, which promises to be both inexpensive and one of the cleanest energy sources available. ? Over sixty million people worldwide receive their electricity from geothermal power plants, with over four million of those people residing in the United States. ? Supporters of geothermal industry hope to see that number rise significantly in the coming years, as the process becomes more efficient in regards to both finances and energy production. In short, tapping into the earth to harvest geothermal energy is by far one of the most sustainable methods of acquiring energy available. ? The earth’s core is a constant supply of energy, with no risk of depletion and no harmful emissions. ? Much research should be put into geothermal energy to find the best possible methods of bringing the technology to the greatest number of people, creating energy independence and eliminating the need for fossil fuels in the production of electricity.

An Investment in Alternate Energy Mutual Funds is an Investment in the Future of the Earth

If you are concerned about how modernization affects the environment and if you are looking for new investments, investments in alternative energy mutual funds may be the perfect solution.
Alternate energy mutual funds invest in companies that are developing ways to produce energy without harming the environment. You can join the huge movement of people who are interested in making money from alternative energy.
The world comes closer and closer to an energy crisis as the non-renewable sources of energy such as coal and oil, which are are major sources of power, become more depleted. This is the reason so many companies are scrambling to develop alternative sources of energy. They need money to do this, and alternative energy mutual funds can supply the money.
A mutual fund is an investment company that looks for small companies that have growth potential and then it invests in them. Remember the Microsoft story: a small company that was started in a garage.
Alternative energy mutual funds specialize in investing in companies that develop alternative energy. Some do this solely because they believe it is better for the earth. But others see alternative energy as the only option for power for the future.
Alternative energy is culled from the natural resources of the earth, such as wind, sun and air. Unlike the non-renewable sources of energy, these sources will continue into the future. People who invest in alternative energy mutual funds may not have to worry about their future! But there are risks to be considered with alternative energy mutual funds.
But all businesses have risk.
There are some viable alternative energy technologies that are not yet cost effective. The alternative energy mutual funds need to be selective about which firms they invest in. They have to make sure the company meets the environmental standards they may have, as well as the ability to use new technogies.
Change is inevitable, and everything in the world changes constantly, including people, their governments and their policies. These changes affect the companies that alternate energy mutual funds invest in.
How a company develops and grows will be determined by factors such as opportunities available and risks encountered. It is possible to make or lose a lot of money. But this, like everything in life is a gamble.
Alternative energy mutual funds have been primarily investing in other countries so that they can keep their investments diversified and take advantage of growth opportunities. But there are foreign exchange risks in this.
Alternative energy mutual funds are run by human beings, who are always prone to mistakes. One of those mistakes is to think they are investing in a company that has an alternate source of energy when all they are doing is adding additives to change the chemical makeup of the energy source. This is not a joke. Since the regulation of these companies is not strong, scams like this can happen.
There are many more riks that may have to be faced when considering investing in alternative energy mutual funds. But sometimes the end, helping the earth, is worth the risk.

Geothermal Renewable Energy – The Earth

The heat of the Earth makes up what is known as geothermal energy. When dust and gasses from Earth mixed together 4 billion years ago, geothermal energy resulted.
Inside the Earth at its core, some 4, 000 miles deep, the temperature is estimated at about 9,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Geothermal energy has been used throughout history for bathing, relaxing, cooking and heating. It was thought by some to have healing effects and was used to treat eye and skin diseases. The first geothermal generator that produced energy was built in Lardarello, Italy in 1904. The United States followed with their first attempt at geothermal power in 1912 at The Geysers in California. Today it is produced in twenty-one countries around the world.
Geothermal energy is located deep in the ground. The heat at the core of the Earth has an outward flow. As it moves, it is transferred to surrounding rock layers called the mantle. As temperatures and pressure increase, the rock melts and becomes magma. The magma moves toward the surface of the earth carrying the heat with it. If the magma reaches the Earth’s surface, it becomes lava. However, most of it stays below the Earth’s crust and heats rocks and water that surround it. These temperatures can reach up to 700 degrees Fahrenheit. When the water travels to the Earth’s surface, it becomes hot springs or geysers. Mostly it stays trapped in fractured, porous rocks called geothermal reservoirs. This heat near the Earth’s surface becomes a form of energy.
Hot water or steam from the reservoir exerts a force that can spin a turbine connected to a generator and produces electricity. The cooled water is then returned to the reservoir in order for it to reheat. Much exploration and testing needs to be done to determine where the geothermal underground waters are. When ideal spots are located, drilling is done to create production wells that bring the water to the Earth’s surface for power generation in geothermal power plants.
Although the costs to construct geothermal plants and geothermal wells are high, the cost of producing electricity is lower over time. The fuel is reliable, stable and does not need to be transported. The white smoke you will see over geothermal power plants is not smoke but rather steam. During the process of operations it may, however, bring some hazardous gases from underground.
The United States stands as the biggest producer of geothermal energy. Unfortunately, interest in it is low and it only accounts for about 1% of this country’s energy supply. Through research and experience new methods and technologies for accessing geothermal energy will improve. Tapping into the heat under the Earth’s surface can produce much more of the nations energy. We are at a point where renewable energy sources must make their way to the forefront of the energy picture. Not only are fossil fuels being depleted, but also they are ruining our air quality. In time, geothermal energy may become an appealing alternative. Competitive pricing and minimal environmental impact could produce a hot future for this renewable energy source.

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