With home heating and air conditioning contributing up to 40
per cent (on average) of global greenhouse gas emissions, finding
alternative ways to stay cozy in the winter and cool in the
summer is one way consumers can individually contribute to meeting
international GHG reduction targets.
Environmental Benefits
While there are definite environmental costs associated with
the production and transportation of the materials required
to construct a geothermal system, once installed, it presents
very few (if any) environmental concerns. They produce few emissions,
pose little threat to wildlife, have a long-term sustainability
(as seen in Lardarello, Italy), and their use results in an
actual decrease of greenhouse gas emissions.
| "geothermal energy use displaces the emission of
22 million tons of carbon dioxide a year!" |
According to DOE, current American geothermal energy use displaces
the emission of 22 million tons of carbon dioxide a year! In
the United Kingdom, statistics show geothermal systems reduce
annual CO emissions by 57kg/m2 per installation.
However, comparisons of emissions between energy systems depend
on how a region generates electricity. NRCan, for example, states
that a geothermal system can reduce emissions by a greater amount
in Alberta, where power is generated from coal, than in Quebec
where electricity is generated by water turbines.
But, in a study produced for NRCan, "the greatest difference
in emissions occurred in Montreal where a residential oil furnace
can emit more than 155,000 kg of carbon over 20 year period.
In the same period, an earth system will produce less than 5,000
kg of carbon."
Michael Fader of MJD Mechanical, a supplier of geothermal systems
in British Columbia, Canada further adds, "Conventional
energy efficient furnaces can reach efficiencies of up-to 94
per cent, a geothermal system reaches efficiencies as high as
450%, and it does so without the use of any fossil fuels, emissions
or by-products harmful to the environment whatsoever."
Statistics
Current statistics show there are about 500,000 geothermal
heat pumps being used today for heating and cooling throughout
the US in residential, commercial, and government buildings.
In Canada this figure is close to 30,000, in the UK and Australia
the number is significantly lower but it is growing.
This new way of cooling homes in Australia is gaining in
popularity according to the International Geothermal Association's
Website. In the year 2000, there were at least 2000 installations
in place with an estimated market expansion of 50% per annum.
The Australian government also has incentives and award systems
in place t to promote the use of geothermal and other alternative
energy source developments.
|
One of Australia's largest banks, Westpac
Banking Corporation, decided to develop a geothermal
system for their new call centre in Tasmania. The call
centre supports 240 workstations, operating 14 hours
a day, up to 7 days per week. In spite of Westpac's
initial reservations, their decision has resulted in
greater energy savings, significantly lower maintenance
costs and less capital costs due to the smaller space
requirement of the geothermal system.
Source: The Australian Greenhouse
Office
|
The modern face
With the development and use of modern materials over the past
decade, this technology has established
itself as a reliable, long lasting and renewable energy source.
Modern design features make geothermal heating and cooling a
cost-effective compliment to standard HVAC systems and a viable
alternative to natural gas and fossil fuel consumption.
Other uses for this technology include alligator farming, heating
swimming pools and hot tubs and heating greenhouses.
The economics
Geothermal heat pumps generally cost more to install than conventional
systems. But all research indicates this initial expense is
recovered within 3-5 years as savings on regular energy costs.
Fader, states that "for every $100.00 you spend on natural
gas, you get $80.00 of heating value. With geothermal you get
$450.00." He also claims one of his installations saved
one user over $1600.00 in one month, when compared to the same
month the previous year - attributing this saving to the fact
"that you are only paying for the energy to move the fluid
in the pipes from the earth to the house. The energy requirement
for this is approximately the equivalent of running three light
bulbs."
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