Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
SpringerLink
Log in

Geothermal Energy , Nature , Use , and Expectations

  • Reference work entry
Encyclopedia of Sustainability Science and Technology

Definition of Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy is the terrestrial generated heat stored in, or discharged from rocks and fluids (water, brines, gasses) saturated pore space, fractures, and cavities and is widely harnessed in two ways: for power (electricity) generation and for direct use, e.g., heating, cooling, aquaculture, horticulture, spas, and a variety of industrial processes, including drying. Thermal energy is used by taking heat from geothermal reservoirs replenished by natural recharge. Reservoirs that are naturally sufficiently hot and permeable are called hydrothermal reservoirs, whereas reservoirs that are sufficiently hot but require artificial improvement of a rock permeability are called engineered (enhanced) geothermal systems (EGS) . Geothermal energy can be used to generate electricity or directly for processes that need...

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 6,999.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 549.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Abbreviations

Base-load demand:

Continuous demand for electricity. Power generation plants with high-capacity factors combine as a practical source of continuous base-load supplies.

Capacity factor:

The energy generated in a span of time divided by the maximum energy that could have been generated at full (name plate) power of the plant during that period of time, most often expressed as a percentage of 1 year of plant operation. The maximum amount of power a plant can generate is its name plate capacity.

Conduction-dominated systems:

Earth systems of heat transfer in which heat flow is principally via the contact of rocks (and pore- and fracture-filling fluids and gasses in rocks) with a capacity to transfer thermal energy from higher to lower temperature conditions. Non-volcanic (amagmatic) geothermal systems tend to become conduction-dominated systems.

Convection-dominated systems:

Earth systems of heat transfer in which heat flow is principally via flow of gasses, fluids, and molten rock (magma) from higher to lower temperature conditions. Volcanic geothermal systems tend to become convection-dominated systems.

Dispatchable electricity:

Power generation systems that can quickly shift from nil to full generation capacity and balance electricity supply and demand within safe technical limits of transmission grids.

Engineered (or enhanced) geothermal systems (EGS):

Geothermal reservoirs in which technologies enable economic utilization of low permeability conductive dry rocks or low productivity convective water-bearing systems by creating fluid connectivity through hydraulic, thermal, or chemical stimulation methods or advanced well configurations. EGS also refer to activities to increase the permeability in a targeted subsurface volume via injecting and withdrawing fluids into and from the rock formations that are intended to increase the ability to extract energy from a subsurface heat source.

Geothermal energy:

Accessible thermal energy stored in the Earth’s interior, in rock, gasses, and fluids usable for the generation of electricity and to supply heat for direct use. Continuous radiation from the natural decay of elements and residual energy from the earth’s formation are the main sources of geothermal energy.

Ground source heat pumps:

Equipment that circulates fluids or gasses from lower to higher temperature conditions, or the reverse to heat or cool buildings or industrial processes. Ground source heat pumps (GSHPs) are most commonly used to heat in winter and cool in summer.

Hot sedimentary aquifers:

Any geologic reservoir that has a capacity to flow fluids at a rate and a temperature sufficient to meet a market for power generation and the direct use of thermal energy. The most accessible and the most prospective hot sedimentary aquifers (HSA) are naturally highly permeable, are overlain by rocks that act as thermal insulators, and are underlain by an effective source of heat energy (magma or high-heat-producing rocks such as granite plutons rich in uranium).

Bibliography

Primary Literature

  1. Cataldi R (1999) The year zero of geothermics. In: Cataldi R, Hodgson S, Lund JW (eds) Stories from a heated earth. Geothermal Resources Council, Sacramento, pp 7–17. ISBN 0934412197

    Google Scholar 

  2. Burgassi PD (1999) Historical outline of geothermal technology in the Larderello region to the middle of the 20th century. In: Cataldi R, Hodgson S, Lund JW (eds) Stories from a heated earth. Geothermal Resources Council, Sacramento, pp 195–219. ISBN 0934412197

    Google Scholar 

  3. Hiriart G, Prol-Ledesma RM, Alcocer S, Espíndola G (2010) Submarine geothermics: hydrothermal vents and electricity generation. In: Proceedings world geothermal congress 2010, Bali, Indonesia, 25–29 April 2010

    Google Scholar 

  4. Tester JW, Anderson BJ, Batchelor AS, Blackwell DD, DiPippo R, Drake EM (eds) (2006) The future of geothermal energy impact of enhanced geothermal systems on the United States in the 21st century. Prepared by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, under Idaho National Laboratory subcontract no. 63 00019 for the U.S. Department of Energy, Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Office of Geothermal Technologies, p 358. ISBN-10: 0486477711, ISBN-13: 978–0486477718

    Google Scholar 

  5. Lund JW, Sanner B, Rybach L, Curtis R, Hellström G (2003) Ground-source heat pumps – A world overview. Renew Energ World 6(l4):218–227, ISSN 1462–6381

    Google Scholar 

  6. Rybach L (2005) The advance of geothermal heat pumps world-wide. IEA Heat Pump Centre Newsletter 23, pp 13–18. ISSN: 0724–7028

    Google Scholar 

  7. Bertani R, Thain I (2002) Geothermal power generating plant CO2 emission survey. IGA News 49, pp 1–3. ISSN: 0160–7782

    Google Scholar 

  8. Bloomfield KK, Moore JN, Neilson RN (2003) Geothermal energy reduces greenhouse gases. Geoth Res Counc Bull 32(2):77–79, ISSN 01607782

    Google Scholar 

  9. Fridleifsson IB, Bertani R, Huenges E, Lund JW, Ragnarsson A, Rybach L (2008) The possible role and contribution of geothermal energy to the mitigation of climate change. In: IPCC scoping meeting on renewable energy sources, Luebeck, Germany, 21–25 Jan 2008, p 36. Available at: http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/supporting-material/proc-renewables-lubeck.pdf

  10. Frick S, Schröder G, Kaltschmitt M (2010) Life cycle analysis of geothermal binary power plants using enhanced low temperature reservoirs. Energy 35(5):2281–2294, ISSN: 0360–5442

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Nill M (2004) Die zukünftige Entwicklung von Stromerzeugungstechniken, Eine ökologische Analyse vor dem Hintergrund technischer und ökonomischer Zusammenhänge, Fortschritt-Berichte VDI Nr. 518. VDI, Düsseldorf, p346, ISSN: 0178–9414

    Google Scholar 

  12. Kaltschmitt M (2000) Environmental effects of heat provision from geothermal energy in comparison to other resources of energy. In: Proceedings world geothermal congress 2000, Kyushu-Tohoku, Japan, 28 May–10 Jun 2000. ISBN: 0473068117

    Google Scholar 

  13. Bertani R (2010) World update on geothermal electric power generation 2005–2009. In: Proceedings world geothermal congress 2010, Bali, Indonesia, 25–30 Apr 2010

    Google Scholar 

  14. Lund JW, Freeston DH, Boyd TL (2010) Direct utilization of geothermal energy 2010 worldwide review. In: Proceedings world geothermal congress 2010, Bali, Indonesia, 25–30 Apr 2010

    Google Scholar 

  15. AGEG-AGEA (2009) Australian code for reporting of exploration results, geothermal resources and geothermal reserves, prepared by the Australian Geothermal Code Committee – A committee of the Australian Geothermal Energy Group (AGEG) and the Australian Geothermal Energy Association (AGEA). Download from: http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/geothermal/ageg/geothermal_reporting_code

  16. Hamza VM, Cardoso R, Ponte Neto C (2008) Spherical harmonic analysis of earth’s conductive heat flow. International Journal of Earth Sciences 97(2):205–226, (22), Springer

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Lund JW, Freeston DH, Boyd TL (2005) Direct application of geothermal energy: 2005 worldwide review. Geothermics 34:691–727, ISSN 0375–6505

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Garwell K, Greenberg G (2007) 2007 Interim report. Update on world geothermal development. Publication of the Geothermal Energy Association. Available at the GEA website: http://www.geo-energy.org/reports/GEA%20World%20Update%202007.pdf

  19. Fridleifsson IB, Ragnarsson A (2007) Geothermal energy. In: 2007 survey of energy resources, World Energy Council 2007, pp 427–437. ISBN: 0946121 26 5. Available at: http://www.worldenergy.org/documents/ser2007_final_online_version_1.pdf

  20. Dickson MH, Fanelli M (2003) Geothermal energy: utilization and technology. UNESCO, Renewable Energy Series, New York, p 206. ISBN 978-92-3-103915-7

    Google Scholar 

  21. Stefansson V (2005) World geothermal assessment. In: Proceedings world geothermal congress 2005, Antalya, Turkey, 24–29 April 2005. ISBN: 9759833204

    Google Scholar 

  22. Rybach L (2010) “The future of geothermal energy” and its challenges. In: Proceedings world geothermal congress 2010, Bali, Indonesia, 25–29 Apr 2010

    Google Scholar 

  23. Mongillo MA (2010) Proceedings of the Joint GIA-IGA workshop – Geothermal energy global development potential and contribution to mitigation of climate change, Madrid, Spain, 5–6 May 2009. Download from: http://www.iea-gia.org/documents/ProcGIA_IGAWorkshopMadridFinalprepress22Mar10_000.pdf

  24. Budd AR, Holgate FL, Gerner E, Ayling BF, Barnicoat A (2008) Pre-competitive geoscience for geothermal exploration and development in Australia: geoscience Australia’s onshore energy security program and the geothermal energy project. In: Gurgenci H, Budd AR (eds) Proceedings of the Sir Mark Oliphant international frontiers of science and technology Australian geothermal energy conference, Geoscience Australia, Record 2008/18. ISBN: 9781921498190

    Google Scholar 

  25. Pritchett R (1998) Modeling post-abandonment electrical capacity recovery for a two-phase geothermal reservoir. Trans Geoth Resour Counc 22:521–528, ISSN: 0193–5933

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. O’Sullivan M, Mannington W (2005) Renewability of the Wairakei-Tauhara geothermal resource. In: Proceedings world geothermal congress 2005, Antalya, Turkey, 24–29 April 2005. ISBN: 9759833204

    Google Scholar 

  27. Goldstein BA, Hill AJ, Long A, Budd AR, Holgate F, Malavazos M (2009) Hot rock geothermal energy plays in Australia. Proceedings of the 34th workshop on geothermal reservoir engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California, 9–11 Feb 2009, SGP-TR-187

    Google Scholar 

  28. IPCC (2007) Climate change 2007, fourth assessment report of the intergovernmental panel on climate change, working group III: mitigation of climate change, chapter 4 – Geothermal, section 4.3.3.4

    Google Scholar 

  29. International Energy Agency (IEA) (2008) World energy outlook 2008. Download from: http://www.iea.org/textbase/nppdf/free/2008/weo2008.pdf

  30. European Renewable Energy Council (EREC) and Greenpeace International (GPI) (2008) Energy [R]evolution – A sustainable global energy outlook (EREC-GPI-08). Download from: http://www.greenpeace.org/raw/content/international/press/reports/energyrevolutionreport.pdf

  31. Goldstein BA, Hiriart G, Tester JW, Bertani R, Bromley CJ, Gutiérrez-Negrín LC, Huenges E, Ragnarsson A, Mongillo MA, Muraoka H, Zui VI (2011) Great expectations for geothermal energy to 2100. In: 36th Stanford workshop of geothermal reservoir engineering

    Google Scholar 

  32. Bromley CJ, Mongillo MA, Goldstein B, Hiriart G, Bertani R, Huenges E, Muraoka H, Ragnarsson A, Tester J, Zui V (2010) IPCC renewable energy report: the potential contribution of geothermal energy to climate change mitigation. In: Proceedings world geothermal congress 2010, Bali, Indonesia, 25–30 Apr 2010

    Google Scholar 

  33. Sims REH, Schock RN, Adegbululgbe A, Fenhann J, Konstantinaviciute I, Moomaw W, Nimir HB, Schlamadinger B, Torres-Martínez J, Turner C, Uchiyama Y, Vuori SJV, Wamukonya N, Zhang X (2007) Energy supply. In: B Metz, OR Davidson, PR Bosch, R Dave, LA Meyer (eds) Climate change 2007: mitigation. Contribution of working group III to the fourth assessment report of the intergovernmental panel on climate change. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge/New York. ISBN-13: 9780521705981

    Google Scholar 

  34. Krewitt W, Nienhaus K, Klebmann C, Capone C, Stricker E, Grauss W, Hoggwijk M, Supersberger N, Von Winterfeld U, Samadi S (2009) Role and potential of renewable energy and energy efficiency for global energy supply. Climate change, 18 Dec 2009, p 344. ISSN: 1862–4359

    Google Scholar 

  35. Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) (1978) Geothermal energy prospects for the next 50 years. ER-611-SR, Special report for the world energy conference 1978

    Google Scholar 

  36. Tester JW, Drake EM, Golay MW, Driscoll MJ, Peters WA (2005) Sustainable energy – Choosing among options. MIT Press, Cambridge, MA, p 850

    Google Scholar 

  37. Rowley JC (1982) Worldwide geothermal resources. In: Edwards LM et al (eds) Handbook of geothermal energy. Gulf Publishing, Houston, pp 44–176, Chapter 2. ISBN 0-87201-322-7

    Google Scholar 

Websites, Books and Reviews

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors thank their international colleagues who have contributed so much of their professional lives and time to provide improved understanding of geothermal systems. We are especially grateful to Ken Williamson, David Newell, Trevor Demayo, Arthur Lee, Subir Sanyal, Roland Horne, David Blackwell, Greame Beardsmore, and Doone Wyborn.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pirsa Petroleum Group, Adelaide, SA, Australia

    Dr. Barry Goldstein

  2. Energías Alternas, Estudios y Proyectos, Mexico, Mexico

    Gerardo Hiriart

  3. Energy Institute, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA

    Jeff Tester

  4. Mexican Geothermal Association, Mexico, Mexico

    Luis Gutierrez-Negrin

  5. Enel, Rome, Italy

    Ruggero Bertani

  6. GNS Science, Wairakei Research Centre, Taupo, New Zealand

    Christopher Bromley & Mike Mongillo

  7. GFZ-Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany

    Ernst Huenges

  8. Iceland GeoSurvey, Reykjavík, Iceland

    Arni Ragnarsson

  9. Geo-Heat Center, Oregon Institute of Technology, Klamath Falls, OR, USA

    John W. Lund

  10. Geowatt AG, Zürich, Switzerland

    Ladislaus Rybach

  11. Belarusian Research Geological Prospecting Institute, Minsk, Belarus

    Vladimir Zui

  12. National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Institute for Geo-Resources and Environment (GREEN), Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan

    Hirofumi Muraoka

Authors
  1. Dr. Barry Goldstein
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Gerardo Hiriart
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jeff Tester
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Luis Gutierrez-Negrin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Ruggero Bertani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Christopher Bromley
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Ernst Huenges
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Arni Ragnarsson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Mike Mongillo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. John W. Lund
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  11. Ladislaus Rybach
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  12. Vladimir Zui
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  13. Hirofumi Muraoka
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Barry Goldstein .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. RAMTECH LIMITED, Larkspur, CA, USA

    Robert A. Meyers

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2012 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

About this entry

Cite this entry

Goldstein, B. et al. (2012). Geothermal Energy , Nature , Use , and Expectations . In: Meyers, R.A. (eds) Encyclopedia of Sustainability Science and Technology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-0851-3_309

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation