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GEOTHERMAL HEATING An environmentally friendly solution to heating and cooling homes

By Emiko Fitzgibbons

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BACKGROUND

01

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CURRENT/FUTURE PROSPECTS

02

MY ORGANIZATION

03

NEW HABITS

04

REFLECTION

05

What is geothermal heating/cooling?

2.1 Where are we now

2.2 Where are we headed?

The organization I chose and what it’s doing

What small habitual changes can we make?

What have I learned?

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Background Information

01

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Geothermal Heating

  • Earth = constant temperature
  • Geothermal energy (electricity)
  • Renewable
  • Efficient
  • Heating + cooling

PRO TIP!

We can see reciprocity here as entire geothermal communities collaborate for everyone’s benefit

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The Mechanics

  • Piping system (buried on property)
  • Water in pipes absorbs heat/coldness in ground
  • Water pumped to heat pump
  • Heat exchanger uses the energy to warm air
  • House is warm!

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Geothermal Energy Myths

Myths

Reality

Geothermal power plants take up too much space

Renewables cannot supply energy 24/7

“Geothermal energy has the smallest land footprint of any comparable energy source in the world.” (energy.gov)

Geothermal power plants can - regardless of weather conditions

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Geothermal Heating in 2023

02.1

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How Americans heat their homes…

47%

Natural Gas

40%

Electricity (including geothermal)

5%

Propane

4%

Oil

Other

4%

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Geothermal Heating in the future

02.2

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—2019 US Department of Energy

“Generating electricity through geothermal methods could increase 26-fold by 2050, providing 8.5 percent of the United States’ electricity, as well as direct heat.

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However, that cannot happen without…

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03

…Organizations like

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Home Energy Efficient Team (HEET)

  • Believe in energy transition (gas to geo) that meets the needs of all
  • Equality in energy systems

Values

Purpose

  • Develop sustainable/renewable geothermal energy systems
  • Install those systems across the country
  • Research around gas leaks

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04

Ways I/we can help the environment

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Environmentally-friendly Habits (Generally)

Current Habits

New Habits

Use less water

Using less plastic bags

Recycling

Composting

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05

Reflection

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In the Paleolithic times, Romans used geothermal energy to heat rooms and public baths

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THANKS!

CREDITS: This presentation template was created by Slidesgo, including icons by Flaticon and infographics & images by Freepik