Geothermal energy is defined as heat from the Earth. Specifically it is energy harnessed from the planet's very hot, inner, magma core - being essentially a clean, renewable, limitless source. It can be used for electricity production, for direct usage or for heat system generation.
This energy technology has been around for more than a century (Larderello, Italy 1904, where it continues today). However the recent wave of alternative energy ambitions is propelling greater innovation and wider publicity of geothermal energy. Why? Because it is free to produce (once plant is constructed); it is reliable (not subject to weather patterns); it is available pretty much in any geography; it is relatively invisible (no large wind turbines); and any side-effects seem non-existent (no food-vs-fuels debate) ...
Geothermal energy is relatively easy to understand. Well holes are drilled very deep (a few thousand feet) into a geothermal reservoir. The reservoir collects many meters below the groundwater table. Wells bring the geothermal liquid to the surface, where it is converted at a power plant into electricity.
Geothermal is a significant current alternative energy source, and it has the potential to be a major role as a clean, renewable energy. The Energy and Geosciences Institute at the University of Utah estimate that the heat continuously flowing from the Earth’s interior is estimated to be equivalent to 42 million megawatts of power. That's a lot. Or put another way, it is estimated that global geothermal resources are approximately 200 times the volume of global crude oil reserves.
An excellent video overview of 'how geothermal plant works' by Calenergy, a geothermal utility company. Water Furnace, a residential geothermal provider, provide a video 'A Convenient Truth' on geothermal application in residential houses.
The Union of Concerned Scientists explain how geothermal works and highlight its potential use as a future alternative energy source. The Environmental and Energy Study 'Geothermal Energy: Tapping the Energy in the Earth’s Core' is an older but further source of information.
There are many geothermal industry bodies Geothermal Energy Association, Geothermal Resources Council, International Geothermal Association, and a whole lot more.
Geothermal energy is not new but, with powerful externalities and advancing innovations such as drilling, then its particular cocktail of clean and renewable energy cannot be overlooked.
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