Geothermal Energy
Geothermal energy is a sustainable and renewable energy source that is obtained from the internal heat of the Earth which reduces dependence on fossil fuels. This energy can be extracted through underground reservoirs of hot water, steam, or hot rocks. In specific areas of the Earth's crust where the subsurface temperatures are notably high (such as points near tectonic plates boundarie or volcanoes), the potential for extracting this energy is significantly greater.
This energy has many applications today, including:
- Electricity Generation: Geothermal power plants use steam from reservoirs to drive turbines connected to electricity generators.
- Heating and Cooling: Exchange heat between buildings and the ground, offering efficient climate control.
- Agriculture and Greenhouses: Geothermal hot water is employed for maintaining optimal temperatures in greenhouses, fostering plant growth and increasing agricultural yield.
- Industrial Uses: Provides heat for processes like drying products, saltwater desalination, and mineral extraction.
- Tourism and Health: Natural hot springs serve as recreational and therapeutic sites.
The development of geothermal systems integrates geological sciences and engineering expertise. Key considerations include:
- Reservoir Exploration and Modeling:
- Understanding geothermal reservoirs’ temperature, permeability, and rock properties through geological and geophysical studies.
- Drilling Challenges:
- High-temperature environments and fractured rocks present significant operational challenges in geothermal energy extraction.
- Environmental Impacts:
- Risks of induced seismicity from fluid injection and ground subsidence from water withdrawal must be mitigated through careful monitoring and management.
- Economic Viability:
- Initial exploration and drilling costs are high, though long-term operational costs are low.
Therefore, one of the main topics of the first international conference on geoenergy and the fifth national petroleum geomechanics conference is geothermal energy.
Researchers are invited to send their articles in these fields to the first international geoenergy conference and the fifth petroleum geomechanics conference.
