Geothermic
The energy found in heat inside the earth is known as Geothermal Energy. The earth´s heat produces energy transmitted from inner layers to the outer part of the crust while at the same time solar radiation reaches the Earth and absorbs it. Depending on the temperature geothermal energy can be used in different ways. If it is a high temperature, say above 100-150 ° C it can used for electricity production. If the average temperatures are between 70 and 150 º C then thermal applications tend to be industrial and for low temperature between 20 and 60 ° C there are possibilities for use in air conditioning and hot water production.
In Spain, a country with high solar radiation, it has been discovered that the temperature of the subsoil, from about 2 feet deep, stays at about 15 degrees constantly throughout the year and this temperature varies with the terrain and the solar radiation characteristics of each region.
The advantages of geothermal energy are:
It is a renewable and inexhaustible energy source. The waste produced is minimal and causes less environmental impact compared with non-renewable energy such as coal and oil, since there is no combustion and it produces no CO2.
It provides a constant flow of energy production throughout the year. Geothermal energy for cooling a home for example does not require a large investment. The basic element needed for an installation is a geothermal exchange circuit connected to the earth, a geothermal heat pump and an exchange circuit for installation in housing. Through a proper collection system and a geothermal heat pump, you can get a ground heat transfer of another 15 to 50 degrees (accumulator circuit ACS or water), for home use heating and / or hot water housing use. The same heat pump can absorb heat and transfer it into the ground with the same collection system; this implies that the system can solve domestic heating challenges and cooling at the same time. The cost of a heat pump could be between 7000 and 8000 Euros and a battery and a 400 liter ACS System costs around 2000 Euros. You must choose a system which best suits the lay of the land.
