Energy & Power, Heating, Cooling & Drying

Going Underground: A Guide to Geothermal Energy for Businesses

Phil Black - PII Editor 19/06/2023

375 4 minutes read

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With businesses making the switch to different types of renewable energy sources of energy and a heat supply to save the environment and reduce their own carbon footprint by reducing greenhouse emissions by using traditional heat sources.

Although the least accessible out of all of the newer renewable energy sources, geothermal energy has become one of these options to choose from.

This is one of the methods that can save businesses money as well by going a natural route of getting your heat supply. To find more information on Geothermal Energy, you can also visit Utility Bidder and find all there is to know about this renewable energy source and how it works.

Geothermal Energy—How Does it Work?

Geothermal energy is the use of natural heat sources under the Earth's surface such as using volcanic sites or hot springs. These heat sources can be used to generate electricity to power businesses and homes.

However, here are the common ways in which geothermal energy is used:

Geothermal Heating

This refers to the process of using the heat from the earth's core directly to heat homes and businesses. This is a common process in volcanic areas.

The heat from the earth's core does cool once it reaches the surface but heats the water as it is in the geothermal system without the need for any additional generators or turbines.

Ground Source Heating Pumps

Although there can be a big confusion between geothermal heating and ground source heating pumps, the difference is that ground source heating pumps extracts the heat much closer to the surface whereas geothermal heating reaches deep underground to extract heat from the core of the Earth.

These heat pumps use the sun's heat as a source for heating shallow ground. They are also used to both cool and heat water in homes and businesses. Using soil and the underground as a source of cooling agents, and electricity to transfer the hot water without the need for turbines.

Geothermal Power Plants

These power plants convert the heat from 1500m under the Earth's surface and make it into electricity.

This is done by pumping hot water from deep underneath the ground using high pressure through a well. The pressure is dropped once the water is brought to the surface and this turns the water into steam. The steam then turns a turbine which generates electricity through use of a generator.

As the steam runs through this process, the steam goes through a cooling tower which turns the steam into water again and the water runs back into the Earth where the process takes place again.

Geothermal Energy Benefits:

These are the advantages of using geothermal energy as both a power and heating supply.

Sustainability

This resource won't be in any damage of becoming extinct as the heat underneath the ground will always be available.

This is not a resource that business or consumers can use up entirely.

Reliability

The source is steady and is not affected by weather changes such as wind or solar energy.

Little maintenance required

The equipment needed to transfer the power and heat source requires little to none maintenance services.

Rapid evolution

Since renewable energy sources have been introduced, the source is becoming more accessible to businesses and consumers in general.

Financial grants are available

Governments are providing grants to help cover installation costs or any other costs that are involved with businesses switching over to renewable energy sources.

What are the Disadvantages of Using Geothermal Energy?

Here are some of the disadvantages which could affect the geothermal energy supply.

High start-up costs

Switching to renewable energy power and heat supply can be costly in the beginning especially if your business requires a full-time energy and heat supply to become fully operational and sustainable for the future.

Large surface area

The equipment that is needed to provide your business with geothermal energy will take up a lot of space on your premises.

Increased earthquake risks

Earthquakes can be triggered by searching and digging for these underground heat sources.

Gas stored below surface is released

Although there are no greenhouse gases released when sourcing geothermal energy, other chemicals and toxic gases can be released when digging underground for geothermal energy sources.

Restricted by location

Since there are not many hot springs or volcanic areas, only some places are viable to retrieve a geothermal energy supply.

How to Install Geothermal Ground Source Heat Pumps at Your Business

If you are looking to use geothermal energy to supply your business heating and cooling then these are the main steps to take to install them.

Ground loop installation

This involves digging a trench on your property and installing piping in the ground. For horizontal ground loops, the trench will have to be dug 6 feet deep and 3 feet wide whereas if you want a vertical ground loop, the trench will have to be dug at least several hundred feet deep into the ground.

Ductwork Installation

This is only necessary if you have no ductwork in place already, if you do and they need repairs then those repairs will be done first.

These will be used to transfer the heat and cooled air.

Heat Pump Installation

If you already have a furnace or a cooling system in place these would have to be removed so that the heating pumps can be installed.

Then after the final step is to complete the wiring and the rest of the connections.

Conclusion

Installing geothermal energy equipment to switch to a renewable source of energy supply can be costly depending on how much equipment you need and how big your business premises are.

Using the above as a guide to understanding geothermal energy can help businesses make informative decisions on whether this source of renewable energy will be the best choice for your business and its energy needs.

Once you have found a method that works for your business, you can have it installed and make the switch.