Top Geothermal News!

Though we don’t talk too often about clean tech here on Green Living Ideas, we’re certainly big fans of a renewable future! Wind, solar and geothermal energy technologies are always evolving and expanding, and today it’s more common than ever to find solar panels, electric vehicles and wind turbines around the world.

Geothermal energy, energy that comes from reserves of heat trapped under the Earth’s crust, doesn’t get as much press at solar or wind, perhaps because it’s a bit less accessible for everyday home improvements. However, geothermal projects can make a big difference in the world’s energy use.

Ever wonder how to get access to geothermal energy? In this great guide from the Environmental Protection Agency, it explains that by digging wells with mini excavators, hot water and steam can be pumped to the surface, then moved through power plants to deliver energy where it’s needed. Large reserves of heat are usually found near hot springs and volcanoes. Here’s the basics of how it works:

Hot water is pumped from deep underground through a well under high pressure.
When the water reaches the surface, the pressure is dropped, which causes the water to turn into steam.
The steam spins a turbine, which is connected to a generator that produces electricity.
The steam cools off in a cooling tower and condenses back to water.
The cooled water is pumped back into the Earth to begin the process again.

The good news is that in 2013 geothermal energy continued to grow, and based on reports in just the first weeks of the year it looks like 2014 is off to a good start. Click here to read our popular post about the uses of geothermal energy to learn more.

Top Geothermal News for 2014

More geothermal power in Guatamala.
Potential geothermal power for Alaska.
Danish firm helps support international geothermal projects.
Heating homes in New Mexico with geothermal- the newest power plant will produce,”enough electricity to power 4,000 to 5,000 homes, using the heat that comes out of the desert.”
Tapping into geothermal power on the Big Island of Hawaii.
California simplifies grant and loan application process!

Featured geothermal image from Shutterstock.

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