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The Disadvantages of Geothermal Power Stations

With global concerns over fossil fuel use, interest in alternative energy sources for power stations is growing rapidly. Geothermal energy has been used for centuries for food preparation, bathing and heating homes. Although clean and renewable, geothermal energy still poses several disadvantages that limit its widespread adoption for power stations, including limited availability and high start-up costs.

  1. What is Geothermal and Why Use It?

    • Geothermal energy is essentially heat located within the Earth. Liquid magma below the Earth's crust reaches the surface in certain locations and heats underground water. This water and steam is retrieved via drilled wells and pumped directly to power stations where it is converted to electricity. As rain replaces underground water and the Earth's center is always hot, geothermal energy is renewable. Also, as no fuel is burnt, it does not contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.

    Limited to Location

    • Although present everywhere, geothermal energy is difficult to harvest and the thickness of the Earth's crust varies according to location. Liquid magma is also only close to the surface in certain places, making some underground water sources less usable than others. Power stations must be built at drilling sites as geothermal energy cannot be transported. This limits its availability for widespread application. In the United States, geothermal power stations are found in Hawaii and California as of 2011.

    High Cost

    • Although geothermal power stations can generate electricity at the same cost as coal plants, the cost of initial investment is relatively high. Costs include research into land surveying, power plant installation, drilling equipment, electricity towers and specialized staff. Also, some geothermal sites run out of steam due to decreases in temperature and an excess of injected water. This creates considerable risk for companies and investors seeking a return.

    Other Disadvantages

    • In addition to steam, geothermal sites also release harmful gases such as hydrogen sulfide. In some cases, these gases are converted to liquid fertilizer, yet it is possible for some to escape into the environment and contribute to air pollution. Also, geothermal power stations are at risk of damage as the best drilling sites are found in areas of high volcanic and earthquake activity such as California and Japan.

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