Erdwärme

Erdwärme, also known as geothermal energy, is thermal energy generated and stored in the Earth. This heat originates from the original formation of the planet and from the radioactive decay of minerals. The temperature in the Earth increases with depth, a phenomenon known as the geothermal gradient.

This internal heat can be accessed for various purposes. In regions with high geothermal activity, such as volcanic areas, this heat can be directly used for heating buildings or to generate electricity. Geothermal power plants utilize steam or hot water from underground reservoirs to drive turbines, producing electricity.

A more common application globally is direct use of geothermal heat. This involves circulating water or another fluid through underground pipes to absorb heat and then using that heated fluid for space heating, swimming pools, aquaculture, and industrial processes.

Geothermal heat pumps are another widespread technology. These systems use the relatively constant temperature of the earth near the surface to heat and cool buildings. In winter, they extract heat from the ground and transfer it into the building, while in summer, they reverse the process, moving heat from the building into the ground.

Geothermal energy is considered a renewable energy source because the heat from the Earth's core is continuously replenished. Its environmental impact is generally low compared to fossil fuels, with minimal greenhouse gas emissions. However, the economic viability and accessibility of geothermal energy depend on local geological conditions and the cost of drilling and infrastructure.