In this article, we will review some of the benefits of geothermal drilling, some of the negatives, and how a geothermal well could benefit you!
Environmental Impact
There are many different ways to get energy.
Burning resources like coal. Frowned upon by many sources, and not particularly renewable.
We could use wind. Which is, unfortunately, is unreliable in many ways.
Water is another natural resource, but not all cities have rivers or lakes to pull energy from.
Finally, we could consider one of the cleanest, most reliable sources of energy, the earth itself.
Geothermal power plants are renewable, clean, and compact compared to other sources of energy.
“Geothermal power plants use less land per gigawatt-hour (404 m2) than comparable-capacity coal (3,642 m2), wind (1,335 m2), and solar photovoltaic (PV) power stations (3,237 m2).” (source)
A well-known example of the successful use of geothermal energy is Iceland. A country with huge amounts of geothermal activity, due to this they have many geysers, hot springs, and volcanoes.
And they have been using these natural resources for centuries.
At the beginning of the 20th century, Icelandic people rerouted hot springs to heat buildings. After the power shortage in Reykavik in 1920, they began to use the natural resources they had around their cities. The first attempts were failures, but Bjarnarflag was the first geothermal power station accomplished in 1967.
Now several geothermal power stations power Iceland, about 65 percent of the country's energy! (source)
Because it usually takes so much geothermal activity to create a geothermal power plant, it was once thought that geothermal energy could only be used in places like Iceland.
However, that is no longer the case. Geothermal technology can now be used by homeowners. Many are taking advantage of these new Geothermal opportunities.
Year-Round Temperatures
So, how are people now using geothermal for their everyday lives?
The answer is geothermal gradients.
Using knowledge of the earth’s gradients we can now collect the earth’s heat, right from under our feet, anywhere in the world.
The geothermal gradient is how the temperature of the earth increases with depth.
Depending on where you live, the temperature of the earth should even out at around 12 to 40 feet in depth. (source) And it will stay that temperature year-round.
This is what makes Geothermal wells one of the most reliable energy sources.
Using the earth’s natural heat, we can save homeowners time and money, with reliable amounts of energy.
Any Negatives?
It doesn’t seem like there could be any negative sides to Geothermal Wells. And I have to admit, while the benefits far outweigh the negatives there are a few downsides.
- Possible Negative Geological Impacts
With all wells, there is the possibility of water contamination and environmental damage. (source) There are ways to prevent such contamination and damage, but it is always a risk.
- It’s a niche field.
Finding the right personnel for the job can be difficult because Geothermal is such a niche application. Lucky for you, if you are reading this on our website higleyoasiswaterworks.com then we can help! Please contact us if you are interested in getting a Geothermal well.
- Can be Expensive
Finally, the upfront cost of a geothermal well can be significant. However, Geothermal can produce electricity 90% of the time or more. This means that costs can be reduced more quickly. (Source) Another bonus is that the United States government provides incentives for having one. “Homeowners are eligible for a 30% tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit (Section 25D) for ENERGY STAR-rated GHPs that are in service by Jan. 1, 2033.” (Source)
Conclusion
Geothermal wells offer an efficient way to harness the earth’s natural heat, providing many environmental and economic benefits. While there are some challenges, such as upfront costs, and possible environmental risks.
However, but is possible the cleanest energy someone could use, and the most reliable. As the technology becomes more accessible, homeowners can take advantage of these year-round temperatures and reduced energy bills.
If you’re interested in exploring how geothermal well could work for you, don’t hesitate to reach out to us!