Why do people use geothermal energy

Traditionally, geothermal resources are most accessible in the western states, from Colorado and New Mexico up to Utah, Nevada, Idaho and Oregon. However, with the development of enhanced geothermal systems EGS technologies and additional research in deep direct-use DDU capabilities, geothermal energy will potentially be accessible across the country. There is potentially over GW of geothermal energy accessible with the development of EGS technologies.

Additionally, at a large scale, DDU applications can potentially be used to replace old, or develop new, district heating and cooling systems in hotels, office buildings, hospital complexes, military installations, and other large energy end-uses and expand geothermal as a renewable thermal energy in large portions of the U. Visit the Geothermal Technologies Office website for Energy videos, news updates, and program information. Some level of geothermal energy is available in most places.

There is potential for geothermal development throughout the United States, and the process is highly scalable. Geothermal lends itself to large and commercial-scale plant operations as well as local and residential applications in the form of ground pump heating and cooling systems.

Smaller operations are cheaper and can be dug at shallower levels, while large geothermal power plants can efficiently convert huge amounts of heat into electricity to feed the grid.

Unlike renewables such as solar and wind power , geothermal energy maintains an ideal stability night and day, regardless of lighting and wind conditions.

That makes it eligible to supply base load electricity to the grid. A reliable and constant supply of power is required to meet this demand. While geothermal energy is not entirely carbon-free, it releases a fraction as much carbon dioxide into the atmosphere as fossil fuels.

Additionally, power is generated on-site at geothermal plants, saving the costly energy associated with transporting and processing pricey fuels. Geothermal energy can replace both heating and cooling systems in buildings—and do both jobs more efficiently than conventional air-cooled systems. Subsurface temperatures remain constant year-round. Moreover, the elegant operational simplicity of a typical system and the absence of carbon fouling due to combustion mean geothermal systems are easy to maintain.

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Geological Survey Circular National Academies Press. Cite as:. Center for Sustainable Systems, University of Michigan.