Direct Use of Geothermal Energy
Direct use of geothermal energy involves piping hot groundwater from near the Earth's surface directly into a place where it can be used.
Building HeatingGreenhouses and Fish FarmingCommercial and Industrial Uses
In place of traditional heating systems, some individual buildings and even blocks of buildings use direct geothermal energy to heat up the buildings. Hot water is distributed through pipes in the building. This 800,000 square foot shopping center is heated with geothermal energy.Vegetables, flowers and all kinds of plants are now being grown in greenhouses that are heated with direct geothermal energy. By using geothermal heat, greenhouse operators can save on fuel costs. Fish farmers have also found it effective to use geothermal heat to warm the waters for their fish.Spa resorts opted in for one of the earliest commercial uses of geothermal – to heat their pools. Many industries have also found effective ways to use direct geothermal energy. Today, geothermal heat is used to dehydrate food, to pasteurize milk, to do laundry, and more.DID YOU KNOW?
- Some cities pipe hot groundwater under roads and sidewalks to melt snow.
- Energy intensive industries—such as aluminum procession—are built where geothermal power is available, e.g. Alcoa in Iceland.
- Iceland heats most of its homes with geothermal power and produces much of its electricity this way.