11 November 2024
Geothermal energy is the process of digging into the ground to harness the heat of the Earth’s core and use it to heat buildings or generate electricity with steam. The Earth’s core is made up of magma and emits a great deal of heat. In some parts of the world where soils are unstable, this magma rises closer to the Earth’s crust, making them ideal regions for high-temperature geothermal applications. However, even here where soils are stable, ground temperature can be harnessed by heat pumps.
Energy Loop
From a depth of 6 to 7 m, ground temperature is no longer impacted by the seasonal changes on the Earth’s surface. After injecting a liquid into the ground, heat can be captured and transported to our homes using a device known as heat pump. This process is based on the principle of energy loops. Geothermal energy can also be used for air conditioning in the summer. The energy transferred to the ground in summer can later be reused for heating in winter. Québec’s climate lends itself well to geothermal energy: half the year, heat is extracted from the ground, and the other half, heat is returned to the ground.
Underutilized Resource
At present, geothermal energy use in Québec is minimal, due to the large quantities of affordable electricity produced in the province. The technology is highly efficient, but costly. On the other hand, many studies have shown its relevance in reducing consumption peaks during extreme cold, unlike other technologies such as aerothermal heat pumps.
As we move away from fossil fuels toward renewable energies, other energy sources, such as geothermal energy, must be considered to meet our growing needs.
Additional Information
To find out more about the geothermal process, please read the following papers:
