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Geothermal Energy

Concept

About

Geothermal energy is a renewable source of power derived from the heat within the Earth. This heat, generated by the radioactive decay of minerals and residual heat from the Earth's formation, is used for various applications. Geothermal energy can be harnessed directly for heating and cooling or converted into electricity. It is particularly effective in regions with tectonic activity, where hot water and steam are closer to the surface. Geothermal power plants generate electricity by using steam or hot water from underground reservoirs to drive turbines. Technologies include dry steam, flash steam, and binary cycle plants, each suited to different temperature ranges. Geothermal energy offers reliability, low greenhouse gas emissions, and a small land footprint, making it a promising alternative to fossil fuels. However, high initial costs and location-specific limitations can hinder its widespread adoption. Despite these challenges, geothermal energy is a clean and stable source of power, ideal for base-load electricity supply.