Luonnonlämpö

Luonnonlämpö, also known as geothermal energy, is thermal energy generated and stored in the Earth. The Earth's core is extremely hot, and this heat flows outwards towards the surface. This heat can be harnessed and used for various purposes, primarily for heating and electricity generation.

There are different types of geothermal energy sources. High-temperature geothermal resources, typically found in tectonically active regions, can be used to produce electricity. In these areas, hot water or steam from deep underground is brought to the surface to drive turbines connected to generators. Lower-temperature resources, which are more widespread, are commonly used for direct heating applications. This includes heating buildings, greenhouses, and aquaculture.

Geothermal systems can be classified based on their operating principles. Hydrothermal systems utilize the heat of underground water and steam. Enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) involve creating artificial reservoirs by fracturing hot dry rock and injecting water to produce steam. Another approach is to use the stable temperature of the ground just a few feet below the surface, which remains relatively constant year-round. Ground source heat pumps utilize this stable temperature to provide heating in winter and cooling in summer for buildings.

The utilization of luonnonlämpö offers several advantages, including its renewable nature, low greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuels, and reliability. However, the initial cost of drilling and infrastructure can be significant, and the availability of high-temperature resources is geographically limited.