Impacto ambiental de la energía geotérmica en aplicaciones residenciales mediante análisis de ciclo de vida

Abstract

Nowadays, energy is the main backbone of human development. Traditionally, the energy sources that have been used on a large scale have been fossil fuels (oil, coal, and natural gas). However, these fossil fuels are gradually being replaced by renewable energy. The use of fossil fuels has an important limitation since its use is finite. This fact can create political conflicts and trouble between countries, with less developed countries always being the most affected ones. In addition, fossil fuels present other disadvantages, since the emissions they produce are the main cause of the greenhouse effect, and its influence on the climatic change. In the last years, most developed countries have been putting faith in a ‘green’ transition, trying to increase the consumption of ‘clean’ and renewable energy sources instead of fossil fuels. This change in the energy system is a medium-term commitment that aims to have energy systems basing most of the consumption on renewable energy. To this end, society is gradually progressing in the use and efficiency of these energy sources, as well as in the creation of new renewable energy parks and the replacement of those energy plants whose fuel was based on fossil fuels or nuclear energy. Society is also becoming individually aware of this large-scale change, as self-consumption is gradually integrated into the current energy supply system. This self-consumption has some advantages, since, for instance, the energy is produced by the consumers themselves, having available more energy and reducing losses in energy transportation. There is an important number of factors in any change process. Although the main one considered is the economic factor, society is also becoming aware of the importance of the social and the environmental factors.