1. Geothermal Energy
What is it and how does it produce energy?.
Geothermal energy is heat energy that comes from the earth. The source of its energy is molten rock beneath the earth's surface. It reaches temperatures up to 6000 degrees. This is a result of radioactive core materials decaying. The molten rock and steam reach high pressure and temperatures and is constantly seeking a way out to the surface. In some parts of the world the earth's crust is very thin and geothermal activity is high. These places are known as "Belts-. Cracks and faults in these areas allow the steam to escape from within the earth. Water finds it's way down the cracks and the water is then heated. It comes to the earth's surface as hot springs. The Romans took advantage of this and built bathing places. These were mainly used as healing or pleasure baths because they were thought to have healing powers due to the high mineral content in the water.
It wasn't until the 19th century that geothermal energy was used for other types of power like electricity. The people of that time did this by creating turbine generators, which harnessed the energy in the steam. The turbine generator was only created because unlike wood, gas and coal geothermal energy could not be used away from its source.
Geothermal energy can be divided into low grade and high grade energy. .
Low grade geothermal energy is water, which surfaces between 20 to 80 degrees. Low grade geothermal energy is useful for heating buildings and pools which only need a temperature of 25 degrees to be comfortable in winter.
High grade geothermal energy is not as common and comes to the surface as high pressure steam or hot water over 100 degrees. Fumaroles (Hot Springs that vent steam not water), Geysers (water and steam is shot out at high pressure), Mud Pots (Hot Springs that have so much minerals they look like mud) and Hot Dry Rocks (Underground areas of rock that is really hot but is dry).
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 represents the inner heat of the earth, produced largely by the decay of radioactive elements in the mantle and center. ... Geothermal energy is not free from environmental problems. ... 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...
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...