Geothermal energy: How it makes sustainability more inclusive

Geothermal energy and why it is important

There are many different sources of renewable energy. Solar is probably the one most of us are familiar with, although other sources like hydroelectricity through dams and wind energy through turbines also exist.

But geothermal is one that many of us are not familiar with, partly because of how rare it is. It only works in select countries and specific geographic conditions. Or rather, it did.

Now, however, some things are on the verge of change. 

Recently, Jamie Beard released a Ted Talk where she discussed the new possibilities that have arisen as a result of innovations in the geothermal energy industry. These innovations could potentially be the difference-maker that drives the world towards meeting its goals for environmental sustainability. 

But before we get into these exciting new developments in geothermal energy, let us discuss how well we have managed to use geothermal energy until now.

The energy sector and environmental sustainability

There are many different ways to produce energy. And the world today needs the energy to keep itself running. So we have found these different ways to produce energy and made use of all that was feasible without a care or worry in the world for what we might do to the environment.

The energy industry is one of the biggest culprits when it comes to emissions of greenhouse gases. The whole energy sector is responsible for 73.2% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the world. The energy generation industry is responsible for a massive 40% of all CO2 emissions worldwide. 

And any movement in the energy sector towards renewable, environmentally sustainable alternatives would make a significant difference in our efforts to reduce emissions. 

This is why advancements being made in renewable energy is being looked at with keen eyes by investors.

This is also why the possibilities discussed by Jamie Beard are some of the most exciting developments you will hear in a while. 

Geothermal energy and environmental sustainability

Geothermal energy, an almost inexhaustible source of energy that also results in little to no emissions may sound too good to be true.

But it isn’t. It mostly involves tapping into the immense heat being produced by the inner sectors of our planet. And there is enough heat deep in our planet to power our entire civilization without causing any serious environmental damage.

So if these things are, in fact, the case, why aren’t we embracing geothermal energy as the solution to the climate problem? 

That’s the thing about geothermal energy. It doesn’t work everywhere on the planet. 

Countries like Iceland (with 26.8% of all electricity made from geothermal) rely on geothermal energy to reduce and even eliminate any reliance on carbon-emitting sources for power. Other countries rely on geothermal as well, such as Indonesia, the Philippines, Italy, Turkey, and the USA.

Why isn’t everyone else following their lead? It’s not because they don’t want to.

Geothermal requires specific conditions for it to work. All of these countries that have geothermal power plants have one thing in common – they all have regions with high volcanic activity.

And without it, accessing the heat required for geothermal energy production was impossible. 

Until now.

This is the exciting new development in geothermal energy that, if it works out, promises to take the world to a more inclusive, sustainable future in no time at all.

Innovations in geothermal energy and how it promises inclusive environmental sustainability

Some of the startups and businesses engaged in geothermal energy have managed to devise new methods of producing geothermal energy that will work anywhere in the world.

And that’s not even the most exciting part. 

Some of the firms that she lists here have come up with a solution that can help us have a much more inclusive transition to an environmentally sustainable world.

They found ways to repurpose oil wells to produce geothermal energy from them.

That’s right. Oil wells in countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Venezuela and anywhere else in the world could be reengineered to make them sources of clean, environmentally friendly energy.

While environmentalists may not particularly fond of the oil industry and sometimes even the people that are involved in it, that should not stand in the way of a more inclusive future.

An environmentally sustainable future in which the unquestionable skill and engineering might of these oil companies and their employees can help the world save itself, from itself. 

Much of the engineering and technology that is involved in the production of geothermal energy using these new methods are shared with the oil industry. And if the present testing and efforts prove fruitful, these large oil companies and countries can use the expertise and technology that they have built over decades of oil exploration to producing clean geothermal energy.

This is an incredibly exciting proposition. 

Why? It means we do very little damage to people when we make the switch to renewable energy. The engineers and scientists who have spent their lives studying and working with the tricky terrain of oil wells need not be out of a job. We now have a way to use their vast knowledge and expertise to good use instead.

And to the large oil companies and oil-reliant nations, having these readymade sources of renewable energy means they do not have to invest large sums into completely different technology like solar. Oil firms can use their oil wells and become energy companies that produce environmentally friendly energy.

That is a very inclusive future, one that does not leave anyone behind.