RES Assignment#5 Solution

Saifullah(UW-17-EE-BSC-059)

What Types of Geothermal Systems Are there?

There is a number of different geothermal systems available. Which system to choose depends on a
variety of factors such as soil conditions, climate, local installation costs on site and available land. There
are two basic ground loop systems which further divide into several subgroups:
Closed Geothermal Loop System

Horizontal
Vertical
Pond

Open Geothermal Loop System

Pond
Standing well

These systems differ mainly in the installation of the pipes, depending on the structure and size of the
land available.

How and Where to Install a Geothermal System?

As the shallow ground temperatures from which geothermal energy is taken are relatively
constant, geothermal heating systems can be used almost everywhere. However, the characteristics of
the land decide which systems might be more favorable, and needs to be determined by your supplier
and installer.
Aspects that influence the type of geothermal system to install:

Geology

Composition and properties of soil and rock can affect heat transfer rates and therefore need to be taken
into consideration for designing geothermal systems.

Hydrology
Ground and surface water influence the type of ground loop, as well as groundwater can be used as a
source for open-loop system, if the water quality is sufficient.

Land Availability
The size and layout of the land, landscaping, location of sprinkler systems, etc., determine the design of
the geothermal system as well.

List of Pros & Cons of Geothermal Energy Production

Geothermal energy is currently believed to be one of the most advantageous sources of energy. Not only
is it a renewable type of energy but is also present in most areas, outperforming even some conventional
sources in many aspects.
The UK is even considering a construction of the world’s longest power connector between UK and
Iceland, which would deliver more renewable energy to 1.6 million British homes that do not
have geothermal heat pumps. Moreover, the first commercial geothermal power plant is planned to be
built in Cornwall, UK if all the necessary funds are obtained.
That should come as no surprise since some countries profit from the presence of geothermal energy on
a large scale. The most known case is Iceland whose electricity is 100% sustainable, making use of wind,
hydro- and mostly geothermal energy.
Nevertheless, you don’t need a backyard the size of a football field in order to reduce your energy bills. In
fact, more and more households all around the globe are investing in geothermal energy and heating
systems to cut their costs.

What Are the Advantages of Geothermal Energy?

Geothermal energy has many advantages, especially when compared to conventional sources of energy:

1. Geothermal Energy Sourcing Is Good for the Environment

First and foremost, geothermal energy is extracted from the earth without burning fossil fuels, and
geothermal fields produce practically no emissions. What’s more, geothermal energy can be very
beneficial, as you can achieve savings of up to 80% over conventional energy usage.

2. Geothermal Is a Reliable Source of Renewable Energy

Geothermal energy also has many advantages when compared to other renewable sources like solar,
wind or biomass. It is an exceptionally constant source of energy, meaning that it is not dependent on
neither wind nor sun, and available all year long.
When looking at the availability factor, which shows how reliable and constant specific energy sources
are, geothermal is ranking on the top (see the figure below), way above the other groups, which supports
the argument of its independence on inconstant external circumstances when delivering energy.

3. High Efficiency of Geothermal Systems

Geothermal heat pump systems use 25% to 50% less electricity than conventional systems for heating or
cooling, and with their flexible design they can be adjusted to different situations, requiring less space for
hardware as opposed to conventional systems.

4. Little to No Geothermal System Maintenance

Due to the fact that geothermal systems only have few movable parts which are sheltered inside a
building, the life span of geothermal heat pump systems is relatively high. Heat pump pipes even have
warranties of between 25 and 50 years, while the pump can usually last for at least 20 years.
What are the Disadvantages of Geothermal Energy?
However, there are always two sides of the coin so let’s have a look at the cons of geothermal energy:

1. Environmental Concerns about Greenhouse Emissions

Unfortunately, no matter its reputation of being an environmentally friendly alternative energy source,
geothermal energy also causes some minor concerns in regards to the environment.
The extraction of geothermal energy from the grounds leads to a release of greenhouse gases like
hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, methane and ammonia. However, the amount of gas released
is significantly lower than in the case of fossil fuels.

2. Possibility of Depletion of Geothermal Sources

Furthermore, despite being considered a sustainable and renewable energy, the chances are that specific
locations might cool down after time, making it impossible to harvest more geothermal energy in future.
The only non-depletable option is sourcing geothermal energy right from magma but the technology for
doing so is still in the process of development. This option is worth the investment mainly thanks to the
fact that magma will be around for billions of years.

3. High Investment Costs for Geothermal System

Another disadvantage is the high initial cost for individual households. The need for drilling and installing
quite a complex system into one’s home makes the price climb quite high. Nevertheless, the return on
such investment is very promising, being able to earn the investment back within 2 to 10 years.

4. Land Requirements for Geothermal System to Be Installed

In case of geothermal systems, having a piece of land next to the house is required in order to be able to
install one. That makes geothermal systems hard to be implemented for homeowners in big cities, unless
a vertical ground source heat pump is used.