Geothermal energy represents the inner heat of the earth, produced largely by the decay of radioactive elements in the mantle and center. The three ways that the heat is found is both wet and dry steam (wet steam has drops of water in it), hot water and dry volcanic rocks. We know that the temperature of the earth at depths of 25 to 50 km range from 200`C to 1000`C. There are areas of the earth where local concentrations of heat occur, just as mineral concentrations do. Most of these are located along oceanic ridges and continental rifts, such as the "Ring of Fire". Geothermal energy is not free from environmental problems. The steam contains large amounts of hydrogen sulphide with its smell of rotten eggs, and both steam and hot water contain substantial amounts of dissolved minerals, many of which are poisonous to the aquatic life in the streams and rivers into which they are eventually discharged. Also, the removal of steam or water causes the earth to subside in that region. Geothermal energy was first used in the era of the ancient Roman bath house, in which they bathed in hot salt springs. Even though the Romans found an easy way to use geothermal energy, and we still enjoy natural hot springs, the process of removing geothermal energy from the earth to use it efficiently is rather difficult. The only three ways to use geothermal energy is for hot water, space heating and generating electricity. In order to turn geothermal energy into electricity it must be brought up from the earth within a metal cased borehole that was driven deep into the naturally hot ground and put through a geothermal power station, (see diagram). The high pressure steam for these wells is used to drive turbines to generate 300 million kilowatts of electricity each year. Which if you compare all the power that the world produces from all the geothermal power plants, in 1985, to that of one average nuclear power plant the geothermal power will not yet compare.
Geothermal Energy. ... Geothermal energy is heat energy that comes from the earth. ... Geothermal energy can be divided into low grade and high grade energy. ... Geothermal energy can only be used where there is geothermal activity is nearby. Current Applications of Geothermal energy In Iceland geothermal energy has successfully been used to heat their homes. ...
One type of alternative energy that should be used is Geothermal energy. ... As of 2012, only 0.41% of the electricity generated in the United States came from Geothermal energy. ... Another advantage that comes along with using Geothermal energy is that the power stations for Geothermal energy are very small, and because of this they tend to have a small impact on the surrounding environment. ... One of the most significant reasons why we should start using Geothermal energy to create our electricity is once a geothermal power station is built, the energy is nearly free. ... Geothermal ener...
Geothermal Energy Geothermal energy is the harvesting of the earths natural heat that is produced by the earths core. ... This is an efficient, effective, pollution free way to create enough energy for the whole planet without disrupting the monopoly that the large corporations have on energy production. ... Another main and very important disadvantage to geothermal energy has to do with one of our most precious resources; water. ... The third main disadvantage to geothermal energy production has to deal with the pockets of heat beneath the earth. ... Geothermal energy seams, at firs...
Geothermal energy is the way of the future. ... What Geothermal Energy Can Do Geothermal energy can be used for power plants. ... Geothermal energy can be applied directly as a heat source for homes, offices, and other businesses. ... Unlike solar power or wind as an energy source, geothermal energy is always available. ... Geothermal energy sounds like the answer to all energy questions. ...
Hydroelectric power, Biomass energy, geothermal energy and solar power are all being used today in the United States. ... Of this hydroelectric accounts for 4%, biomass 3% and wind, solar, and geothermal energy accounts for the remaining .6%. ... Geothermal Energy is power obtained by using heat from the Earth's interior, usually in regions of active volcanoes. ... This country, which holds host to having the most active volcanoes in the world, has the possibility of using geothermal energy. ... In the 1940's Iceland began using geothermal energy to heat their houses and buildin...
Andi Yao "Geothermal Energy" Geothermal Energy is an enormous underused heat and power resource that is clean, reliable and homegrown. ... The earliest commercial use of geothermal energy was for swimming pools and spas. ... There are several attributes that make geothermal Energy a good source of energy. ... Geothermal energy offers an environmentally benign source of electricity. ... However there are still many flaws in using geothermal energy. ...
Older technologies can also be advanced; sources such as solar power, wind, geothermal, and hydropower. ... Geothermal energy is a huge source of energy that is clean and reliable. ... The World's largest geothermal power plant is of this type and is located in California. ... Geothermal power is not only safe and efficient; it is also cheap, at around six or seven cents per kilowatt hour. Geothermal power is not just limited to steam and hot water. ...
So the oil crisis is not entirely bad news, the U.S. still has time to implement alternative energy sources such as nuclear energy, hydroelectric energy, solar power, wind power, and geothermal energy, as well as alternative fuels which may be used in existing power plants. ... Geothermal energy must also be explored. Geothermal energy uses the earths core temperature of 700 degrees Fahrenheit to create steam, then convert it into heat or electricity. Geothermal energy has much potential because as long as the sun remains burning the earth is being heated. ... Geothermal energy should be a mor...