Geothermal energy arises from the Earth's interior heat. It belongs among renewable energy sources, although some sources of geothermal energy can be identified as exhaustible. Geothermal energy is usually used for heating or electricity in geothermal power plants.
The word geothermal has origin from two Greek words: geo (earth) an
d Therme (heat), which means the earth's temperature.
The temperature in the interior is the result of the formation of planets from dust and gases before more than four billion years. Decomposition of radioactive elements in rocks continually regenerate this heat. Basic medium, which transfers heat from the interior to the surface is water or steam. Water from rain penetrates deep through rifts. In this rifts, water is heated and circulates back to the surface, where it appears in the form of geysers and boiling springs. Generally we can use from land rigs low and high potential hot water.
The total installed capacity of geothermal power plants in the world is estimated at 8000 MW. Unlike from other types of power stations such as nuclear power or fossil fuel fired power plant, geothermal power plants do not need any fuel. Their disadvantage is that they are available only in some places in the Earth's surface. Construction of geothermal power is about five times more expensive than building of nuclear power plant. The share of plants across Europe is minimal, but in some locations its importance is considerable. The countries such Island, where is most energy from geothermal sources and where those sources are used for home heating, water heating, etc. Further, this source is significantly used in Italy in areas with active volcanic activity (Vesuvius, Aeolian Islands, Sicily) Geothermal energy is also used in France, New Zealand, California, Japan, Mexico and the Philippines, but in lesser rate.
Map of heat flow in the CZ by the variable thermal conductivity of rocks Borehole for geothermal power
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