NAME : DAFID FADELLA

NIM : 102219088
Program : Mechanical Engineering II
Class : ME II

Geothermal Energy
Sustainable Green Energy for the future

Geothermal energy is the earth’s natural heat available inside the earth. This thermal
energy contained in the rock and fluid that filled up fractures and pores in the earth’s crust
can profitably be used for various purposes. This geothermal energy originates from the
original formation of the planet, from radioactive decay of minerals, from volcanic activity
and from solar energy absorbed at the surface. It has been used for bathing since Paleolithic
times and for space heating since ancient Roman times, but is now better known for
generating electricity.

Geothermal power is cost-effective, reliable, sustainable, and environmentally

friendly,but has historically been limited to areas near tectonic plate boundaries (Glassley
2010). Recent technological advances have dramatically expanded the range and size of
viable resources, especially for applications such as home heating, opening a potential for
widespread exploitation. Geothermal wells release greenhouse gases trapped deep within the
earth, but these emissions are much lower per energy unit than those of fossil fuels (William
E. 2010).

The earth's geothermal resources are theoretically more than adequate to supply
humanity's energy needs, but only a very small fraction may be profitably exploited. Drilling
and exploration for deep resources is very expensive. Forecasts for the future of geothermal
power depend on assumptions about technology, energy prices, subsidies, plate boundary
movement and interest rates. Pilot programs like EWEB's customer opt in Green Power
Program show that customers would be willing to pay a little more for a renewable energy
source like geothermal. (Fridleifsson, Ingvar B 2001).

Fluids drawn from the deep earth carry a mixture of gases, notably carbon dioxide
(CO2),hydrogen sulfide (H2S), methane (CH4) and ammonia (NH3). These pollutants
contribute to global warming, acid rain, and noxious smells if released. Existing geothermal
electric plants emit an average of 122 kilograms (269 lb) of CO2 per megawatt-hour (MW·h)
of electricity, a small fraction of the emission intensity of conventional fossil fuel plants
(Bertani, Ruggero; Thain, Ian July 2002).

The presence of geothermal resources and their utilization can be important factors in
creating a sense of place. The Earth’s geothermal heat content is enormous, 99% of the
earth’s volume has temperatures greater than 1000°C, and only 0.1% of the volume is at
temperatures less than 100°C (Deloitte,February 15, 2008). There are potential negative
impacts: perhaps the most critical is the potential harm to aquatic environments if effluent is
discharged into surface water bodies. Most negative impacts can be minimized by the
reinjection of geothermal fluids back into the reservoir.
Geothermal energy is both renewable and one of the cleanest sources of energy and its use
has the potential to greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions by displacing fossil fuels.

REFERENCES

Glassley, William E. (2010). Geothermal Energy: Renewable Energy and the Environment,

CRC Press, ISBN 9781420075700. from
http://web.mit.edu/nature/archive/student_projects/2009/bjorn627/TheGeothermalCity
/Conclusion.html
 Fridleifsson, Ingvar B (2001), "Geothermal energy for the benefit of the people", Renewable
and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 5 (3): 299–
312,  CiteSeerX 10.1.1.459.1779, doi:10.1016/S1364-0321(01)00002-8
Tester, Jefferson W.; et al. (2006), The Future of Geothermal Energy (PDF), Impact of
Enhanced Geothermal Systems (Egs) on the United States in the 21st Century: An
Assessment, Idaho Falls: Idaho National Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, pp. 1–8 to 1–33 (Executive Summary), ISBN 978-0-615-13438-3,
archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-03-10, retrieved 2007-02-07
Bertani, Ruggero; Thain, Ian (July 2002), "Geothermal Power Generating Plant CO2Emission
Survey", IGA News (49): 1–3, archived from the original on 2011-07-26,
retrieved 2010-01-17
 Deloitte, Department of Energy (February 15, 2008). "Geothermal Risk Mitigation
Strategies Report". Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Geothermal
Program.
https://archive.epa.gov/climatechange/kids/solutions/technologies/geothermal.html