Geothermal energy – The global opportunity

Abstract

Exploitation of geothermal energy offers a consistent and secure low carbon energy supply. Geothermal energy resources are associated with a variety of geological settings, are available at temperatures ranging from a few tens of degrees to several hundred degrees and may be used for the provision of heat, power or both. Their exploration, assessment and exploitation draw from a wide range of techniques. Improvements in deep drilling and energy conversion technologies mean that many countries could develop geothermal energy systems. There are both economic and technical risks and challenges associated with geothermal energy exploitation; however, the potential for geothermal resources to provide low carbon and continuous power, heat or both means that they have the potential to be an increasingly important part of the energy mix for many areas of the globe.