Climate & Nature...

Google recently announced it would invest $10 million into the development of geothermal energy systems. Geothermal, one of the hot new ideas in "clean technology," uses the natural heat under the Earth's surface to provide heat or create electricity.

Could geothermal be the "killer app" of the energy world, as Google predicts? More specifically, can you take advantage of it for your home or business?

Geothermal isn't a new idea (it's been around for centuries), but new technologies are making it a more viable energy alternative for today's electricity-starved world.

Geothermal power for homes or businesses comes in two "flavors": direct geothermal taps hot water under the ground to provide heat, while ground-source heat pumps moves heat from below the surface for heating during the winter and removes heat from the surface in the summer. Geothermal can also be used to drive electric generators in larger facilities and power plants.

So can you use geothermal? Depending on your location, the answer is probably yes. Western states appear to have the best resources, but you might be able to tap into geothermal energy no matter where you live. Talk to your local power company or energy contractors to find out about your options.

For more information on geothermal power, visit the U.S. Department of Energy's Geothermal Technologies Program.