Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy is an energy obtained from the Earth's interior. The Earth's interior maintains almost constant temperature which rises with the depth - from 10 to 15 °C (50 to 60 °F) to about 5,000 °C (9,032 °F) at the Earth's core. Geothermal energy is a renewable energy which is emission free. It was utilised ancient times, today it offers great potential for our future energy needs.

Geothermal energy can be used regardless of geological composition. Geothermal power technologies utilise heat from groundwater close to the surface, while power plants use hot dry rocks from a few kilometers below the ground to generate electricity.

Households with geothermal energy systems installed use heat pumps for heating and/or air conditioning. Geothermal heat pumps are based on using constant temperatures several feet below the ground for heating in the winter and/or for cooling in the summer. Geothermal heat pumps can also be used for so called direct heat exchange which utilize groundwater. However, any kind of geothermal heat pump needs electricity to transfer the heat from underground to the surface which requires electricity.