It is no secret that populations across the world are increasingly looking for alternative ways to power their cities and economies through renewable energy sources that reduce the impact on the planet. Geothermal energy is one promising option, but there is an ongoing debate as to whether it contributes to global warming. In order to consider the implications of this energy resource, it is essential to look at the facts with an open-minded perspective and consider both the positive and negative externalities associated with its use.
Directly speaking, geothermal energy itself does not have any direct emissions as it is a clean source ofrenewable energy. The use of this energy source can save an immense amount of carbon dioxide emissions that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere from using conventional fossil fuels. For example, a 2018 study from the United States Department of Energy showed that by replacing natural gas with geothermal energy, the residents of Bozeman, Montana, had lowered their annual CO2eq emissions from 167 to 2 metric tons.
On the other hand, however, indirect emissions can be a problem for certain forms of geothermal power generation. This is because some geothermal plants rely on steam or hot water from wells, and when they are extracted, the gas released during drilling may contribute to global warming if it escapes through venting or accidental leakage. For example, in 2019, over sixteen thousand tons of methane were emitted from the Salton Sea geothermal fields in California. While the release was accidental, it undoubtedly had an impact on the global emission of greenhouse gases.
A further factor to consider is that geothermal plants require extensive infrastructure, including drilling and well-building, and this also has an environmental impact. Drill holes in the earth can produce dust particles, and geothermal plants need access to large amounts of water to run, meaning that some areas may experience water depletion, or may be subject to land use and resource conflicts. Nevertheless, it has been shown that, when managed responsibly, geothermal energying systems can be built significantly more sustainably than many other forms of energy generation.
It is, therefore, difficult to simply label geothermal energy as a ‘good’ or ‘bad’ energy source with respect to it’s environmental impact. Whether or not its use contributes to global warming comes down to the efficiency and design of the plant, as well as the surrounding environment. It is key that an energy source is considered in the context of its local ecosystem and infrastructure. For example, projects such as The Geysers, in California, have managed to reduce leakage significantly due to the strategic use of advanced drilling and well completion technologies, which have proven that mitigating potential unwanted emissions is indeed possible.
In conclusion, while installing a geothermal plant may result in some level of emissions, when managed with care and appropriate technologies, it has potential to be a clean, renewable and highly efficient energy resource with significant reduction of carbon emissions. It is essential to consider the context of the region, infrastructure and environment in order to optimize the plant’s potential and provide a sustainable source of clean energy.