Geothermal energy is power that is obtained by exploiting dry steam or hot water found underneath the surface of the earth. There are 3 types of plants. There are dry steam plants in which pipes are used to bring the steam directly to the plant. There are also flash steam plants and with this type pipes are used to bring hot water to the plants and then steam is created inside the plant.
The third kind is known as the binary cycle plant in which steam is produced when chemicals and hot water are mixed together. This alternative source of power has various benefits as well as shortcomings. In terms of the benefits, the major one is that it does not aid to the greenhouse effect. In other words it is a clean source of energy which does not need fossil fuels.
It is not only the power source that is clean, the plants are also clean. Because there is a continuous production of heat under the surface geothermal power cannot be exhausted. In terms of cost you will benefit and this is usually after you have taken care of the initial costs. Although it is a clean source it is difficult to find a place where you can harness this type of energy and that is one of the major cons of this alternative source.
Although you will benefit in terms of costs in the long run, initially you will have to use up a lot of money. To add on to that there are methane deposits below the surface which can be disturbed in the process of tapping steam. This methane can be released and therefore pollute the environment. The other source is fossil fuel power. The fuels are made from decomposed animal and plant matter and this decomposition process takes millions of years.
These fuels are our main source of power and they are relied on for a lot of things to function. A good example is the vehicle you drive which runs on power generated from these fuels. A major shortcoming is that unlike alternative sources, it is not renewable.
The fuels are responsible for polluting the environment because a lot of carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere. Coal, oil as well as natural gases are the main types of fuels. Both these sources have their advantages and disadvantages and they are different in so many ways. The major difference is with regards to the impact they both have on our environment. Geothermal power is a clean source whilst fossil fuel power is harmful to the environment.
