Sustainable energy development: The role of geothermal power

Fulfilling growing energy needs, enabling access to the billions of individuals without access to high-quality fuels, and reducing emissions of greenhouse gasses requires a radical departure from the fossil-fuel focused business-as-usual energy scenarios. What needs to replace past emphasis is a new energy paradigm that will encourage the transformation of our current energy systems as well as the development of new sustainable low-carbon alternatives. This new paradigm has been coined sustainable energy development (SED). This chapter examines the concept of sustainable development within the context of energy, and illustrates the contributing role of geothermal power to sustainable energy development. Finally, the role of geothermal power in contributing to the Millennium Development Goals and combating climate change is examined.