Geothermal Energy Use on the Rise in U.S. By Alicia Acuna

[Geee]

Fox News:

Geothermal energy is essentially free heat that comes from under your feet, and according to the annual report by the Geothermal Energy Association, the United States is using more of it.

"Very basically, it's heat from the Earth that's caused by radioactive decay, volcanism, all that hot source from the center of the Earth," says John Lund, Principal Engineer of the Geothermal Program for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

In a recent statement on this renewable energy source, the GEA wrote, "In 2011, the geothermal industry is producing clean power in nine states and developing projects across 15 states... with the total number of geothermal projects... increasing 12%." Additionally, the generation of geothermal energy in the U.S. is enough to power over two million homes.

Dr. Lund is not only one of the nation's foremost geothermal experts, he uses it to power his home. "To heat my house, my hot water, my hot tub, everything, (for) ten dollars a month." Lund uses what's known as a geothermal exchange pump, buried several hundred feet below ground in his backyard for his home. Pumps are a localized system that uses the heat of the ground water, through an assemblage of pipes to bring up the extreme warmth of what's beneath the surface. They can be used anywhere in the world.

"Right now," says Al Wallace, president of the Energy Environmental Corporation, "ground source heat pumps is the fastest growing form of heating and cooling in the United States." The central part of the country is already pretty familiar with geothermal pumps, but because of the initial investment and lack of understanding by homeowners, it takes some educating for other folks to come on board. "I think the reason people don't buy ground source heat pumps is they're...(not) familiar with the technology and implementing systems that they're comfortable with, which is basically the same technology we've had since the 1950's or 60's."

[Saltbag]

There's something to be said for geothermal. It's basically a natural heat pump. I haven't worked out the economics, but it's likely more viable than wind or solar.

[Sanguine]

There's something to be said for geothermal. It's basically a natural heat pump. I haven't worked out the economics, but it's likely more viable than wind or solar.

 

Agreed. Probably much more economically viable.

[pollyannaish]

I agree with both of you. This and the continued use of hydropower are, in my opinion, our best bets for clean reliable energy.

 

Of course, I still believe today's internal combustion engine is an incredibly efficient use of energy...so what do I know.