Geothermal energy and climate change mitigation

Abstract

The energy sector in the world needs major changes for reduction in greenhouse gas emission and climate change mitigation. It has been believed that with the current rate in increase of greenhouse gas emissions a rise in sea levels will occur with changes in global climate patterns. These effects hinder adaptation for climate change mitigation, so it is important to incorporate and understand the models implemented in the energy sector for decarbonisation. According to this perspective, the geothermal resource is contemplated as being one of the most productive energy sources that can be adopted for control of greenhouse gas emissions. The purpose of this study is to understand the global status of geothermal energy and its important role in climate change mitigation. In this chapter it is seen how geothermal energy has been used for centuries for heat extraction and power generation in geothermal countries such as the USA, New Zealand, Iceland, Kenya, and the Philippines, with minimal greenhouse gas emission with respect to fossil fuels. In the present study, the GeoAdam method of geothermal climate change mitigation is also discussed and modified in terms of scenario setup, assessment stage, and implementation stage. This method can be used for the climate change mitigation process in India with geothermal energy. The life cycle assessment of a system, which is an important factor to understand and control greenhouse gas emission, is reviewed in detail here. The present study provides a complete guide for climate change mitigation with geothermal energy.