What Are The Disadvantages Of Geothermal Energy? 

Today we will know the disadvantages of geothermal energy. Do you know what geothermal energy is? Well, geothermal energy is nothing but renewable energy taken from the core of the Earth. It comes from the heat generated during the original formation of the planet and the radioactive decay of materials. This thermal energy is stored in rocks and fluids in the core of the earth. Radioactive decay means a process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy through radiation. Without further discussion let’s know some disadvantages of geothermal energy

What Are The Disadvantages Of Geothermal Energy? 

Instead of several disadvantages of geothermal energy, currently, it is believed to be one of the most advantageous sources of energy. Because it is renewable and also present in most areas. Here is a list of some disadvantages of geothermal energy

  1. Restricted Location 
  2. Environmental Side Effects 
  3. High Costs 
  4. Earthquakes 
  5. Sustainability 
  6. Possibility Of Depletion Of Geothermal Sources 
  7. Land Requirement 
  8. High-Temperature Condition 
  9. Geothermal Reserve Are Not Irreversible 

Disadvantages Of Geothermal Energy 

Below we will explain each and every disadvantage of geothermal energy in detail. Let’s understand what are the disadvantages of using geothermal energy.

  1. Restricted Location 

You can not install geothermal energy plants where you want, they need to be installed in places where the energy is accessible. It means the site is not able to exploit this resource.

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  1. Environmental Side Effects 

It is true that geothermal energy does not release greenhouse gases, there are many of these gases stored under the surface of the earth which is released into the atmosphere during digging. Increased emissions of these gases proved to be harmful to the environment.

  1. High Costs 

Despite being renewable and sustainable, geothermal energy is an expensive resource to tap into, with price tags ranging from around $2 to $7 million for a plant with a 1 MW capacity. Also, the upfront costs are high, the outlay can be recouped as part of a long-term investment.

  1. Earthquakes 

Geothermal energy can trigger the risk of earthquakes. This is due to alterations in the earth’s structure as a result of digging. The problem becomes worse with enhanced geothermal power plants, which force water into the Earth’s crust to open up fissures for greater exploitation of the resources.

  1. Sustainability 

Is geothermal energy renewable? Yes, it is renewable but sustainability is an issue. To maintain the sustainability of geothermal energy fluid needs to be pumped back into the underground reservoirs faster than it is depleted. This means that geothermal energy needs to be properly managed to maintain its sustainability.

  1. Possibility Of Depletion Of Geothermal Sources 

Above we have mentioned that geothermal energy is renewable, but despite being renewable energy, the chances are that specific locations might cool down over time. It makes it impossible to harvest more geothermal energy in the future.

  1. Land Requirement 

One of the great needs while installing a geothermal power plant is site or land. You can not install the geothermal power plant anywhere but you need to do sit selection first. Geothermal systems are hard to implement for homeowners in big cities unless a vertical ground source heat pump is used.

  1. High-Temperature Condition 

High-temperature conditions just add fuel to the fire, this issue of the high-temperature condition brings another major disadvantage. It is a daunting task to drill into hot rocks. As geothermal power plants are far away from public areas, distribution costs increase.

  1. Geothermal Reserve Are Not Irreversible 

If the water is drained more rapidly than replenished, it will become exhausted. Residential heating and cooling can come into trouble when geothermal energy is used in heating and cooling homes differently. This is one of the common disadvantages of geothermal energy for homes.

Advantages Of Geothermal Energy 

The advantages of geothermal energy are, 

  • Renewable 
  • Environmentally friendly 
  • Stable 
  • Huge potential 
  • Heating and cooling 
  • Reliable 
  • Rapid evolution 
  • No fuel required 

Everything has its disadvantages on Disadvantagess you will get to know more.

FAQ

What Can Go Wrong With Geothermal?

The refrigerant or water can leak from the underground or underwater pipes in geothermal heat pumps. This is similar to the way refrigerant can leak from the coils of a conventional heat pump. Your home could feel less comfortable, and you may notice ice or frost on the above-ground part of your unit.

Does Geothermal Energy Cause Pollution?

Air pollution may be caused by the discharge of geothermal gases in the steam. The major offenders are carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide, although methane, mercury, radon, ammonia and boron can also cause problems.

What Are The Disadvantages Of Geothermal Power Plants Give At Least 5?

Cons of geothermal energy: generates waste, reservoirs require proper management, it’s location-specific, has high initial cost, and can cause earthquakes in extreme cases. Geothermal has the potential to become a major global energy source, but is held back by its high upfront costs.

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Is Geothermal Toxic?

Steam vented at the surface may contain hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, methane and carbon dioxide. Dissolved solids discharged from geothermal systems include sulfur, chlorides, silica compounds, vanadium, arsenic, mercury, nickel and other toxic heavy metals.

Why Is Geothermal Energy Not Good For The Environment?

The main environmental concern that comes with geothermal power plants is the potential for surface instability. Because geothermal plants remove water and steam from reservoirs within the earth, the land above those reservoirs can sometimes sink slowly over time.

What Are Some Advantages Of Geothermal Energy?

Benefits of Geothermal Energy

Baseload—Geothermal power plants produce electricity consistently and can run essentially 24 hours per day/7 days per week, regardless of weather conditions. Domestic—U.S. geothermal resources can be harnessed for power production without importing fuel.

Conclusion 

In this article, you have learned all about the advantages and disadvantages of geothermal energy. Do you know, what are the uses of geothermal energy? So, geothermal energy is used for heating, cooling, and generating electricity. The countries like the United Kingdom and Iceland are considered one of the most users of geothermal energy. The first commercial geothermal power plant is planned to be built in Cornwall, UK if all the necessary funds are obtained. This was all about the disadvantages of geothermal energy

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