Geothermal

Geothermal literally means “earth heat.”  There are two principal uses of geothermal:  two produce electricity and hot water for district heating and, heating and cooling at the individual home or building level.

These, obviously, are two totally different industries.  Without going into a long dissertation, geothermal energy is produced by tapping high-temperature steam and/or heat thousands of feet below the surface. Geothermal heating and cooling (ground source heat pumps) for homes and buildings taps into relatively constant temperatures almost literally right below our feet.  

Both industries are growing.  Geothermal energy development is happening all over the world.  Examples of leading countries in total output of MWs of electricity are the US, Iceland, Turkey, New Zealand, Georgia and Russia.  But, of course, the list goes on.  Geothermal heating and cooling has been experiencing exponential growth for years because, it simply makes good, long-term economic sense.