Disadvantages of Geothermal Energy

Geothermal Energy is energy trapped inside earth that is converted into electricity or power. The sun is the main external source of the planet’s energy driving specific systems like the weather and climate. Energy derived mainly from radioactive isotopes.

Geothermal energy enables installing innovative heating and cooling systems. The disadvantages of geothermal energy are mainly high initial capital costs. The cost of drilling wells to the geothermal reservoir is quite expensive. Taking into account the cost of heating and cooling system installation thereby surging extra costs. The cost of installing a geothermal heat pump typically ranges from $10,000 to $20,000 that can be reimbursed over time.

Another major geothermal energy disadvantages include

1. Emission of toxic gases : Earth’ surface contains plenty of greenhouse gases and harnessing that leads to transfer of these gases to the surface of the earth thus contaminating the air. These kinds of emissions are higher where geothermal energy power plants are situated and are linked to silica and sulfur dioxide emissions. The reservoir might also contain hazardous heavy metals like arsenic, boron and mercury.
2. Geothermal energy is encapsulated to a definite region like one-third of Iceland and Phillippine’s electricity demands.
3. Geothermal heat pumps have to be powered and entail electricity to operate. Inefficient geothermal heat pumps might hike electricity bills.
4. Geothermal sites may just run out of steam after years of activity. Improper use result in poor distribution of heat.
5. Geothermal reservoirs are not permanent and they can be depleted if the water is extracted faster than it is replenished. there can be a problem for residential heating and cooling as geothermal energy is used differently when heating and cooling homes.
6. Might pose instability as Construction of geothermal power plants has the potential to cause surface instability and trigger earthquakes. Conventional geothermal power plant construction involves drilling hot rock that contains trapped water or steam in its pores spaces and natural fractures. When these fractures are intersected by a drilled hole, the trapped water erupts as steam due to instant drop in pressure.
7. Another important geothermal energy disadvantage include high temperatures requirement. Drilling into hot rocks is a challenging task. Distribution costs are also overboard as geothermal energy sites are located further from the population, hence, requiring vast network of distribution systems. This only adds up the overall cost of setting up a geothermal system.