Our planet is a huge source of energy. In fact 99.9% of the planet is at a temperature greater than 100 degrees Centigrade. Geothermal engineering intends to tap into this heat and, in so doing, aims to produce significant quantities of renewable electricity and heat. Contrary to current methods of generating power (oil, coal, nuclear), electricity from geothermal sources has low or no carbon emissions, no waste products, a minimal physical foot print on the earth and is renewable! At a time when fossil fuel reserves are rapidly being exhausted and concerns increase about global warming, Geothermal Engineering aims to act today to safeguard the planet for tomorrow by producing clean Heat and Power from the Earth.
Geothermal energy and the environment
Geothermal energy is good for the environment because it is a renewable source with a minimal footprint and produces low or zero emissions. Once a geothermal energy power plant has started, there is no need for fuel transportation to the site or waste removal from the site and there are no unsightly turbines, windmills or mirrors. In additional, geothermal power plants produce significant quantities of renewable heat. The use of renewable heat will be central to the UK government?s policy on reducing CO2 emissions.
Geothermal energy
Geothermal energy (from the Greek roots geo, meaning earth, and thermos, meaning heat) is power extracted from heat that is stored in the earth. Literally, it is heat and power from the earth, as opposed to energy that comes from the sun, wind, water, or the burning of carbon based fuels.
In some places the natural groundwater, heated by this energy, finds its way to surface and emerges in hot springs or steam geysers, which have been used by humans for bathing and agriculture since pre-history. Geothermal energy has been used to provide heat for as long as people have been around to take advantage of it. It has always been, and will continue to be, a significant, clean, renewable energy resource. Many communities were established around geothermal sources (such as Bath in England).
Geothermal energy and Cornwall
Geothermal Engineering is bringing the most experienced geothermal engineers together with leading industry partners to develop the UK?s first large-scale geothermal energy plant in Cornwall. Cornwall is well suited to the installation of the UK?s first geothermal plant. The geothermal gradient (temperature increase with depth) is higher than other areas of the UK and the extensive Government sponsored research project undertaken from the mid-70s generated valuable data on the behaviour of the rocks at significant depths. The research project director was Tony Batchelor who is now Chief Technical Advisor to Geothermal Engineering Ltd.