Geothermal
energy is a form of renewable energy derived from
heat deep in the earth’s crust. This heat is brought
to the near-surface by thermal conduction and
by intrusion into the earth's crust of molten
magma originating from great depth. As groundwater
is heated, geothermal energy is produced in the
form of hot water and steam. The heated groundwater
can be used for direct heating of homes and greenhouses,
for vegetable drying, and for a number of other
uses. These are known as direct uses of geothermal
energy.
Geothermal
energy is also used for electricity production.
Geothermal power generation is used today throughout
the world where good geothermal resources exist,
including many locations in the western United
States. The REPP Geothermal Issue Brief on this
page provides a general background on the fundamentals
of geothermal power, including discussions of
the technical, economic, and policy dimensions
of geothermal power worldwide. Economic data and
current U.S. geothermal policy help illustrate
the concepts of the issue brief. Extensive references
to reports and Internet links to the latest developments
in geothermal power’s role in clean energy generation
are included.
| 
