Alternative Energy

Heavy pressure is being put on scientists across the globe to find alternative energy sources from a variety of resources. We talk about wind and solar power, and we study biofuels, but there is also another alternative that should be probed. Geothermal energy, though as yet is not plentiful enough to take the place of other energy sources, can be used to generate electricity. Geothermal energy is sustainable, and is naturally occurring too.

Geothermal energy comes from deep within the earth. It uses the heat that the planet already has, and can produce enough steam to run a turbine in order to generate electricity. The core temperature of the earth is said to be around 4000 degrees Celsius. The mantle that surrounds this core is only around 45 miles below the surface depending upon the location. The temperature there is said to be about 375 Celsius.  Currently, we can’t reach these depths, so how can we harness this energy?

Geothermal hotspots are places where features of a volcano can be found. The mantle that sends its internal heat from the depths of the earth in this area is less thick so that the heat can reach the outer crusts. There are well known geothermal hotspots such as the geysers that can be found at Yellowstone, Iceland’s hot springs and Hawaii’s volcanic islands. Spots such as these can be used to create electricity easily.

Any energy source that can take the burden of fossil fuels should definitely be explored. As the temperature rises around the globe and the icecaps begin to melt, more research and funding has to be put into finding viable alternative energy resources. Geothermal energy can be one way we can ease the carbon footprint that our present society is leaving upon our very vulnerable planet.