Geo Thermal

Energy is quickly becoming an attractive and viable investment venture for many people. The challenge lies in finding an energy source with great potential that has not yet hit its earning stride. Geothermal energy presents a technology that has the potential to provide as much as 10% of the United States energy alone and has yet to be fully explored. This is an energy source that is truly “green” and provided by the earth itself.

While Geothermal energy is not available everywhere, the areas that can make use of it are currently exploring better ways to harness the power of this natural energy source. Because of the way it is captured, there are no gas emissions or environmental repercussions in harvesting this energy source. Interestingly enough, once electricity has been created, the source is returned to the earth to create yet more energy.

Geothermal Energy is quickly gaining momentum in the United States because is it abundant in areas such as California that now experience high levels of pollution. California is famous for its smog and finding energy sources to prevent this problem from getting worse is at the top of both the local and federal governments’ priority lists. When Uncle Sam gets involved, you just know that massive progress will be shown in a very short period of time.

One of the more interesting aspects of Geothermal energy is that it has several different variations that can be used. It can serve as a natural heating source and can also be developed into electricity. When properly tapped, the natural hot water is distributed through pipes to heat buildings. It can be turned into electricity by running pipes from the source into a Geothermal power plant where it will power turbines and store energy in battery cells to be distributed at a later time.

Creating a diversified portfolio is one of the smartest decisions any investor can make. Diversification within each investment area is a smart decision to make as well. After all, you would not sink all of your money into one tech stock, so why would you do the same with energy sources? With that being said, Geothermal energy would be a great addition to any portfolio as it represents a truly unique energy source that replenishes itself and that has yet to meet its true potential. It is exactly what ground floor investors seek when looking for that next hot money-making opportunity.

Geothermal technology is very interesting in that it has a variety of different outlets where it can be put to use. This energy source can be used directly for heating and can also be turned into electricity. It one of the more flexible “green” energy sources that has a very large upside in regards to an investment opportunity.

While Geothermal energy is limited to certain areas, it is hardly something that should be of a concern to investors. It is currently estimated that this energy source could supply at least 10% of the electricity in the United States alone and that number is more than likely to grow as the technology becomes more advances and current locations are able to supply a wider area with the power that is generated.

As we go deeper into the earth’s core, the temperature becomes increasingly hotter. For simplicity’s sake, imagine biting into a fried cheese ball. The outside is warm but bearable. The center portion of that is burning hot and will end up scorching the inside of your mouth if you are not careful. This is the same principle that Geothermal energy looks to exploit. By tapping into water sources that are discovered deep inside the earth, that same water can be used to both heat buildings and provide electricity.

Iceland is an example of a country that is putting Geothermal energy to use as much as possible. The capital city of Reykjavik has over 25 active volcanoes and countless hot springs. All of these are created because it is an ideal location that can tap into the power of Geothermal energy. They have naturally heated buildings, mineral spas and swimming pools that use the water that comes directly from the earth as its heat source.

Heat is only one type of Geothermal energy as it can also be used to create electricity. The process is much the same as windmill technology. The water is heated naturally by the center of the earth and is then pumped through pipes into a Geothermal plant. The water is routed to a turbine that connects to a generator and the spinning of the turbine creates electricity that is then stored for distribution. The interesting part is what happens next.

Once the water (steam) has been run through this process, it is then routed to a cooling tower. People who drive past a Geothermal plant will see what appears to be white smoke coming out of the towers, but it is only steam that is created because of the cooling process. Once the water is cooled, it is then sent back through other pipes to be returned to the source to be reheated and used again. This is a power source that is literally self-replenishing.

As one can imagine, the cost benefits of using this type of energy are enormous and there are no harmful emissions being generated as this source of energy is refined. It comes into the plant as hot water and leaves as steam and cold water that is returned to the original source. Technology is constantly being improved and this will continue to be a “green” source of energy that is sure to grow and expand for decades to come.

Geothermal energy is stealing headlines in the investment sector and with very good reason. This is a source of energy that has hardly met its peak and big money investors are realizing the untapped potential. This is great news to energy investors as they look to add something else to their portfolio that can pay off huge against the initial investment.

One of the more attractive things about Geothermal energy is the fact that it is self-replenishing. After the initial water is used for heating or to create electricity, it is then returned to the earth and the whole process begins all over again. While some evaporation may occur, the bulk of the water is reused time and time again. It is unlike any other energy source that we have.

Geothermal energy is such an attractive investment that the online monster company known as Google invested over $10 million in 2008 in Geothermal energy. They placed their money into several startup companies that have continued to grow as well as SMU to support their continued Geothermal research. This is typical of the success that investors are experiencing. The upside to all of this is that, because of investments like this from the private sector, advancements in Geothermal technology are improving much more rapidly than anyone had ever hoped.

In the United States, California continues to implement ways to make this a primary source of their energy. Their geographic location makes the state an ideal area for the advancement of this energy source as a primary supply. Worldwide, countries like Iceland are beginning to make the most of natural hot springs and active volcanoes that result from Geothermal activity.

Global governments are probably the biggest driving force behind the development of renewable energy sources such as Geothermal energy. Everyone recognizes that things need to change and they need to change quickly. This is one source of energy that replenishes itself, is reusable and most of all does no damage to the environment. It has the backing of many major governments and private sector investors already and is only going to dramatically grow over the next few decades.

When it comes to energy and the environment, Geothermal energy is heads and shoulders above traditional fossil fuels such as coal. It is unfortunate that sources like Geothermal energy have not previously been explored because many of the challenges and difficulties that are currently being faced would not be happening. For this reason, this particular source of energy is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after forms of heat and electricity where it is available.

The Geothermal Energy Association has put together some numbers that are very sobering to see. Some of the more harmful elements that can be released into the atmosphere from coal emissions are Carbon Dioxide, Nitrogen Oxide, Particulate Matter and Sulfur Dioxide. The highest level of emissions that are realized from Geothermal emissions is Carbon Dioxide at 0-88.8 (lb/MWh). That compares to 2191 (lb/MWh) for coal. This specific emission is responsible for increasing the sea level and glacial melting. This is a direct threat of global warming that can be all but eliminated by using Geothermal energy instead of coal.

All in all, the GEA estimates that about 16,127,000 tons of harmful emissions are offset each and every year by the use of Geothermal energy. Over 16 million tons of emissions that harm both the earth and everything on it can simply vanish. It is more than an impressive number; it is a vital one and is the primary reason that our governments are placing such an importance on developing renewable energy sources such as this.

Because Geothermal energy goes back into the earth in the same way that it is extracted from the earth, it is a safe and viable “green” energy source that must be further explored. While it is much more abundant now than it has ever been, it has hardly reached its full potential. This makes it an ideal investment as you can truly get in on the ground floor. This is sure to be a sound investment for many years to come.