Luonnonlämpö

Luonnonlämpö, also known as geothermal energy, refers to the heat contained within the Earth. This heat originates from the Earth's formation and the radioactive decay of minerals. It is a vast and continuously replenished energy source.

The Earth's interior is extremely hot, with temperatures increasing with depth. In some regions, this heat is closer to the surface, creating geothermal resources that can be accessed for various applications. These resources can manifest as hot springs, geysers, or underground reservoirs of hot water and steam.

Geothermal energy can be harnessed in several ways. Geothermal power plants use steam or hot water from underground reservoirs to drive turbines and generate electricity. In areas with lower-temperature geothermal resources, heat pumps can be used for heating and cooling buildings by transferring heat between the ground and the building. This technology is highly efficient as it utilizes the stable temperature of the Earth.

The utilization of luonnonlämpö offers significant environmental benefits. It is a renewable energy source, meaning it is replenished naturally and will not be depleted. Geothermal power generation produces very low greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuels, contributing to climate change mitigation. The land footprint of geothermal power plants is also relatively small. However, the initial investment for geothermal infrastructure can be substantial, and the availability of suitable geothermal resources varies geographically.