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| Geothermal Energy is not Renewable Energy |
While the world is concerned with carbon emissions from
fossil fuels it looks for sustainable alternatives. It must be noted that while
wind, solar, hydro and energy from biofuels is sustainable because it is
renewable, geothermal energy is not sustainable. It can never be replaced. Its use and exploitation beyond what happens naturally (say in volcanoes and hot springs or through heat transfer)
has unknown consequences that could lead to destruction of Mother Earth as we
know it from changing earths magnetic fields, movement of continental shelves
to Earth quakes.
When the core of Earth is hollowed by mining the material so
extracted is brought to the surface but Earth can be replenished. However heat
extracted from its core can never ever be replenished. It was a gift from the
Universe to the planet at the time of its creation, and it would take a new
creation for it to return.
Even use of too much fossil fuels would not destroy the Earth although that could perhaps lead to adverse climate changes for humans over limited historical periods. One uses the word perhaps because none knows the cycle of various glacial and interglacial periods precisely. The Earth has seen far higher level of carbon dioxide in the past than present 400ppm in the Cambrian age when the green side of life flourished. Even with thousand ppm, even if earth was warmed much, humans could survive in a greened Arctic and Antarctic region and the green side of life would flourish.
The Thermal and light energy of stars and suns come from nuclear reactions. It is because of this they can continue to provide heat for billions of years. The thermal energy in the core of the earth on the other hand does not come from nuclear reactions. It is energy stored from its past origin. If enough of it is extracted, it will not be replenished and the earth will go dead like a dead asteroid in space, not a living planet. Humans are incapable of extracting it all but they do appear to be capable of extracting enough to create devastating consequences for all life that dwells on the planet
Note: The contents of this note have not been accessed from any other scientific source or publication but are original from the author. The author himself has been a scientist and thermal engineer although presently he has moved into education in general. His thermal publications can be found in Google scholar citations if searched under name - Dr. Ashok Malhotra
Even use of too much fossil fuels would not destroy the Earth although that could perhaps lead to adverse climate changes for humans over limited historical periods. One uses the word perhaps because none knows the cycle of various glacial and interglacial periods precisely. The Earth has seen far higher level of carbon dioxide in the past than present 400ppm in the Cambrian age when the green side of life flourished. Even with thousand ppm, even if earth was warmed much, humans could survive in a greened Arctic and Antarctic region and the green side of life would flourish.
Over long periods of time, not too long in the life of planet, Mother Earth would even replenish fossil fuels, But Geothermal energy once extracted can never be replaced. it would change Earth forever and may even destroy it for all life. It would take for the Universe to be created all over again for Geothermal energy to return to Earth.
The Thermal and light energy of stars and suns come from nuclear reactions. It is because of this they can continue to provide heat for billions of years. The thermal energy in the core of the earth on the other hand does not come from nuclear reactions. It is energy stored from its past origin. If enough of it is extracted, it will not be replenished and the earth will go dead like a dead asteroid in space, not a living planet. Humans are incapable of extracting it all but they do appear to be capable of extracting enough to create devastating consequences for all life that dwells on the planet
There is however an exception to what has been stated here. Near potential volcanic and other sites where geothermal energy has already reached near the surface of the earth and is being emitted or is expected to be emitted in the measurable future, the utilization of geothermal energy for human use would not seem to be detrimental to the natural destiny of the planet in any significant way
Note: The contents of this note have not been accessed from any other scientific source or publication but are original from the author. The author himself has been a scientist and thermal engineer although presently he has moved into education in general. His thermal publications can be found in Google scholar citations if searched under name - Dr. Ashok Malhotra
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