Could not scientists find a way to exploit the energy contained in volcanos?

Question

The underground energy resources of the earth are being exploited to provide electricity. Could not scientists find a way how to exploit the energy contained in volcanos. The heat within them is able to provide more than that required to operate all the electrical power stations of the world.
To the lay man,this seems to be an impossible task, but to scientists who are versed in the matter, they could surely find a way how to exploit such potential.
The main hurdle they will have to meet is the one raised by
oil companies. But in the long ran when forcebly oil becomes something of the past, the exploitation of volcanos will be there, ready to take over to activate the power stations.

Answer 1

That is the same energy source, it's called geothermal.

Geek-girl just must have woke up from a 30 year coma!

Dead-man is talking about geothermal.

Answer 2

Ok, I'm a scientist so I will take a stab at this question.

The main issue with renewable (i.e. non fossil) fuel questions is efficiency. It is never free, in terms of energy, to manufacture solar cells or wind turbines or whatever equipment you would need to convert volcano power into electricity. In order for it to be a viable alternative to fossil fuels the device you make would have to give back more energy during its lifetime than it cost to make it. This is the main thing that the lay person is never really told.

So, for example, solar cells are remarkably inefficient at converting light into electricity. This inefficiency is to do with the chemical makeup of the stuff they use to make the cells. There are people working on it continually to try and improve it, and one day we will have efficient renewable energy sources, but it is not now.

Now obviously, one day, there will be no other option. But unless we can make these renewable energy devices more effiecient then we are stuffed anyway. We won't physically have the power to create more solar cells or turbines or volcano power cells. Its a really tricky problem, but it is one that is being researched very heavily. I am certain that by the time fossil fuels die out we will have a viable alternative, but unfortunately that time is not now.

Answer 3

This would work in principal nd it seems a very Good Idea but the main problem, at least here in the UK is the extremists who think that exploiting the volcaones is unethical and attack th scientists whenever they go anywhere near a volcano even if they are looking the other way and whistling.

Answer 4

I think you mean the potential and physical energy of a volcano. i think the utilisation of energy from active and erupting volcanos would be to dangerous due to their unpredictability. there are also difficulties of storing so much energy in a short period of time. geothermal energy currently used comes from relatively stable systems or groundwater circulation not related to volcanism. it should be noted that even these systems may not be sustainable for our energy needs because more energy may be used than can be replaced by heat sources in sufficient time. I think the energy from the sun is a better bet for the future of renewable energy

Answer 5

Volcanoes are too volatile, the heat could possibly be used, but you can have kits installed now for about £15,000. They go deep undergorund and direct heat into your house.