Geothermal energy has a long tradition in human history, from thermal baths to heating and power generation. It represents an important resource of renewable energy.
The use of geothermal energy normally requires high temperatures to be viable. This often means deeper and more expensive drilling work. Some technologies can produce power at lower temperatures but they are more expensive and usually less efficient resulting in a higher production cost.
The drilling works represent the majority of the costs of these systems so the depth at which energy sources are available will have a significant impact on the viability of the exploitation of geothermal energy.
Geothermal energy has a strong potential to be used in a cascading way from power generation at high temperatures to heating, healthcare, pools and greenhouses as the temperatures are reduced. Due to the higher temperatures needed for power generation, cascading use of energy is especially relevant in these cases.
Geothermal energy uses. Source: Britannica, Geothermal energy (https://www.britannica.com/science/geothermal-energy)
Recommendations for implementation of geothermal energy:
- Raising awareness about geothermal energy - resources, potential, possibilities of use, and economic aspects of geothermal projects
- Informing the public about geothermal energy exploitation with the aim of reaching a specific audience (engineers, architects, installers) of individual buildings and heating systems
- Initiation of works on the identification of new resources through assessment and characterization using geological and geophysical methods taken from the oil industry
- Search for technical and technological solutions for environmental protection during the process of production and consumption of geothermal and other waters
- Construction of the geothermal energy facility
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