1 - Historical overview of geothermal energy

Abstract

Geothermal energy is contained in the Earth’s inner surface, accessing it is a great opportunity for the production of power and important geothermal fluids. The humans got aware of geothermal heat uses about 10,000years ago; civilizations of that time settled beside the volcanoes and hot springs, they used to process deposits to invent various products. Ancient Mediterranean civilizations used to make tools out of lava, and they also discovered the lands full of hot springs, hydrothermal mineral deposits, active manifestations, and by-products of geothermal heat around third millennium BCE. After ancient Mediterranean civilizations, the Etruscans further developed technologies in geothermal energy. Their contribution is very remarkable in field, they were involved in the mining of metal and nonmetal ores, hydrothermal deposits, evaporite minerals, and various advanced scientific activities related to geothermal energy. The Etruscans developed the industry for selling the by-products of geothermal energy and are known as ancient fathers of geothermal energy. The Romans realized the strategic importance of the Etruscan areas and settled there. The Romans were pioneers of balneological uses of thermal energy, they adapted the culture of balneology, thermal bathing, and public spas. After 1000CE, site known as Lumaie was exploited for hydrothermal deposits, many wars broke out for this land. People had realized the importance of geothermal energy in that era. Chemical production of boric acid by evaporating geothermal fluids started in the 18th century. Boric acid was considered very important at that time because of its various pharmaceutical uses in Europe. First commercial company for the production of boric acid was established around 1812 and new equipment was invented for its production. In the 19th century, digging of wells was started to get maximum amount of the product, and there were various technological inventions in drilling and wells could be dug up to 300m. With the start of the 20th century, power production from geothermal wells started.