How much geothermal energy costs?

[ploddypop]

Does anyone know how much geothermal energy costs.
Please help me out or if you know of any good websites please let me know.
Thanks

[buildersmate]

Try this website - it's the best I know of.
http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/? CategoryID=5
Register and ask your own question.
The short answer to your question is that the installation cost is quite high, but the running cost os lower (but not free).
Google 'heat pumps' to find out more - there are 2 or more sorts - 'ground-based heat pumps' and 'air heat pumps'. Geothermal energy uses GBHP. The principle is that the electricity used in the heat pump allows concentration of heat drawn from the ground, so for 100W of electricity put in you might get 500W of energy out.

[topogigo]

I got a few companies to give info for a bunch of flats we are having built. I went to Friends of the Earth's website. The guy that answered me was so knowledgeable and helpful it blew me away, if only the rest of humanity were so pleasant. Try them they have hearts of gold.
You can get grants of 1500 quid per unit from the government for ground source energy.

[gen2]

Pardon me for saying so, but I think both the previos answerers have misunderstood the question. Those answers are simply using heat pumps to move solar derived energy into the home. The ground-based ones simply use the soil as a solar collector.

Geothermal Energy is energy derived from the natural heat deep within the earth. The cost of extracting it depends where you are in the world since some areas have magma chambers close to the surface and others are much deeper.

The costs will depend on how deep you have to drill to reach suitably hot rocks. The rock then has to be shattered to give a large surface area for efficient heat exchange and water is pumped down to return as steam to drive turbines. Some areas where the magma is close to the surface, such as Iceland, have sufficient groundwater percolating to adequate depths that the natural steam can be harnessed for power.

Even extruded magma in the form of thick lava flows can be used as an energy source as they take many years to cool down. e.g. Heimaey. That however is not renewable since once it is cooled, you will have to wait for another eruption before starting over.

[gen2]

Try this website for more info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geothermal_power

[ploddypop]

Thanks for your replies. I really appreciate it.

Thanks :)