Geothermal Energy : Renewable Energy and the Environment, Second Edition

Fully updated and featuring a new chapter on enhanced geothermal systems, this second edition of a Choice Award winner contains the latest scientific information used to discern applications and regions best suited for geothermal energy. Stressing environmental effects related to acquisition and consumption, the text explores where geothermal energy comes from and how to find it, as well as how it can be accessed, applied, and improved for future use. It provides background, theory, and practical techniques for implementing different types of geothermal energy projects.

An In-Depth Introduction to Geothermal Energy

Addressing significant changes in the energy markets since the first edition, Geothermal Energy: Renewable Energy and the Environment, Second Edition expounds on the geothermal industry, exploring the expansion, growth, and development of geothermal systems. This text covers every area of geothermal energy, including environmental and economic issues, and technological advancements.

Factoring in new concepts for distributed generation, hybrid technologies, and the development of Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS), the book incorporates real-world examples designed to illustrate the key aspects of chapter topics. It provides case studies in nearly every chapter, and includes examples from the U.S., Iceland, France, and Japan.

• Contains comprehensive, quantitative, and rigorous treatment of the geology, geochemistry, and geophysics of geothermal resources, and how they impact exploration, resource assessment, and operations
• Provides a state-of-the-art description of current Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS)
• Presents an objective description of the most recent economic comparisons including all energy resources
• Covers environmental issues of energy use and quantitative descriptions of the relative impacts of all renewable and non-renewable energy resources
• Describes geothermal resources from a global perspective, including direct use and geothermal heat pump applications, as well as power production

can be used for undergraduate coursework; as a reference for designers, planners, engineers, and architects; and as a source of background material for policymakers, investors, and regulators.