BaileyM wrote:I've always know of geothermal energy as providing heating and cooling to a home or building. But can it be used to create electricity? Is it the pressure or the heat that would create energy? Would this be a financially feasible alternative energy source or is it still more expensive than wind, solar and water power?
Yes, both, and maybe.
YES: Geothermal electricity is generated in many areas of the world today. Iceland does it up big and Italy too. There is quite a bit in the US also.
BOTH: With steam wells, the two generally go hand in hand. In some circumstances, brine is pumped up, used to boil clean water, and then pumped back down. Other processes exist.
MAYBE: All depends on the quality of the resource and the expense of drilling.
