1% of global electricity is generated from Geothermal

Geothermal energy is a form of energy that is extracted directly from the heat stored within the earth's crust. This heat is generated from the colossal amount of molten rock or magma that lies beneath the surface. The constant flow of heat from the earth's interior, which travels to the surface, is a virtually unlimited resource of thermal energy.

To generate electricity, geothermal power plants use steam produced from reservoirs of hot water found a few miles or more below the Earth's surface. The steam rotates a turbine that activates a generator, which produces electricity. The used steam is condensed back into water and returned into the Earth so it can be used again, creating a sustainable loop.

One of the major advantages of geothermal energy is its low carbon intensity. While burning coal produces an average of 820 gCO2eq/kWh and gas-fired plants produce about 490 gCO2eq/kWh, geothermal energy only has a carbon intensity of 38 gCO2eq/kWh. This makes it a far greener and cleaner source of energy and a strong contributor to global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, comparable to other low-carbon energy sources such as wind, nuclear, and solar.

Geothermal energy also contributes significantly to the global electricity supply, albeit at a small scale, generating about 0.5% of all power used worldwide. This percentage, small as it may seem, marks a very essential step towards bigger reliance on low-carbon sources like geothermal, wind, nuclear, and solar energy.

In certain regions with high geothermal activity, the share of geothermal energy in the total electricity produced is even higher. In Iceland, for example, a remarkable 29% of electricity is generated from geothermal energy, minimizing reliance on fossil fuels and reducing the country's carbon footprint.

Similarly, New Zealand and Costa Rica also make significant use of this low-carbon energy source, generating 17% and 12% of their total electricity respectively from geothermal energy. This substantial use of geothermal power provides a strong example of greener power supply, demonstrating how nations can successfully tap into clean energy resources like geothermal, wind, solar, and nuclear.

In El Salvador and Guadeloupe, geothermal energy supplies 19% and 6% of the total electricity produced. This high utilization rate is testament to their commitment to renewable energy and mirrors a global trend where countries are placing a greater emphasis on low-carbon energy sources.

In essence, geothermal energy serves to provide a clean, sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. Alongside other low-carbon sources like wind, solar, and nuclear, it is an integral part of global efforts aimed at curbing climate change and creating a sustainable future for the coming generations.