Geothermal Energy: A Clean and Renewable Energy

1697 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Geothermal energy america

What is Geothermal Energy?

The term geothermal comes from the Greek geo meaning earth and therine meaning heat thus geothermal energy is energy derived from the natural heat of the earth. The heat that flows from the Earth's hot interior due to crustal plate movements, zones of high heat flow, may be located close to the surface where convective circulation plays a signifcant role in bringing the heat close to the surface (World Bank Group, 2012).

The Earth's crust, on which we live and depend, is in large part the product of millions of once-active volcanoes and tremendous volumes of magma that did not erupt but instead cooled below the surface. Such persistent and widespread volcanism has resulted in many valuable natural resources throughout the world. ... Groundwater heated by large, still-hot magma bodies can be tapped for geothermal energy. -- Excerpt from: Brantley, 2014, Volcanoes of the United States, USGS General Interest Publication

Deep circulation of groundwater along fracture zones will bring heat to shallower levels, collecting the heat flow from a broad area and concentrating it into shallow reservoirs or discharging as hot springs. These reservoirs may contain hot water and/or stream. By drilling into these reservoirs, the hot water and/or steam is piped to the surface where it is used for direct use applications, or the high pressure steam is separated to drive turbines for power generation. The low energy waste water form such power generaiton is then usually re-injected back into the reservoir, or further utilised for direct heat applications. This technology enables it to be utilised to generate electricity and provide domestic and industrial heat. Geothermal energy has proven to be reliable, economic, environmentally friendly and renewable (World Bank Group, 2012).

In general there are two main categories, (1) the high temperature resources and (2) the moderate/low temperature resources. The high temperature geothermal resources - 220 degrees Celsius and up - are predominantly found in volcanic regions and island chains. The moderate to low temperature resources are found on all continents. The high temperature are almost always used for power production while most of the low temperature resources are used for direct heating purposes or agriculture and aquaculture.

How does Harnessing Geothermal Energy Work?

Deep wells, a mile or more deep, can tap reservoirs of steam or very hot water that can be used to drive turbines which power electricity generators. There are 3 types of geothermal power plants in use today, and they are:

Show More
Related

  • Leonardo Da Vinci: A Man of Many Things

    1099 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...for an undying thirst for knowledge and a man of many subjects, in all of which he was very knowledgeable. His achievements will be remembered thru his large measure of notebooks that he drew in and wrote notes on. This man is a man of the future in the past. He helped our word to be the way it is today, with its vast collection of technology and knowledge. Leonardo is truly a renascence man to admire.

    Read More

  • Leonardo Da Vinci And The Renissance Man

    951 Words  | 2 Pages

    Leonardo Da Vinci bridged a gap between unscientific methods and our own trusty modern approach (Renissance Man). Da Vinci’s experiments in science has encouraged individuals science his time to further research (Renissance Man). In 1505, he became more involved with his scientific investigations (Renissance Man). Topics ranged from varieties: anatomy zoology, botany, geology, optics, aerodynamics and hydrodynamics with many others (Renissance Man). He was greatly influenced by the ancient Greek and Roman writings, but recognized the limitations of seeking the truth in those writings or the bible (Renissance Man). Leonardo Da Vinci took an approach like no other he began actually observing nature (Renissance Man). In a study of cervical vertebra shown from perspectives, Leonardo notes:

    Read More

  • Short Essay On Stargirl

    549 Words  | 2 Pages

    Stargirl did strange things. She would sing happy birthday at lunch to students. She also would bring her homeroom class different treats for holidays. The whole school was convinced by Hillarie Kimble that she was not real. Stargirl’s actions seemed to confirm this with every act she did. One of the strange things she did is during one of the football games at half time. Stargirl danced on the field with the marching band, and then when the game was to start again she stole the football and danced with it.

    Read More

  • Super Volcanoes Essay

    747 Words  | 2 Pages

    Super volcanoes are formed when magma rises from the mantle to create a scorching reservoir in the Earth's

    Read More

  • The Rock Cycle

    314 Words  | 1 Pages

    Inside Earth there is heat from pressure (push your hands together very hard). and feel the heat). There is heat from friction (rub your hands). together and feel the heat). There is also heat from radioactive decay.

    Read More

  • Volcanoes and Volcanology

    2115 Words  | 5 Pages

    Volcanoes can be one of the most destructive forces on Earth. It is estimated that some

    Read More

  • The Warsaw Uprising

    2127 Words  | 5 Pages

    It is beyond uncertainty that the Warsaw Uprising which took place 70 years ago in 1944 is one of the most significant, heroic and tragic events in the 20th century of Polish history. During 63 days of patriotic uprising many thousands of predominantly young Poles were killed in an imbalanced battle with the German occupiers. This investigation will focus on the areal support for the Home Army (AK) during the Warsaw Uprising in 1944. The essay will discuss the causes and consequences of the action taken by the authority of Great Britain, United States of America and Soviet Union as well as the Polish government in exile regarding the Warsaw Uprising.

    Read More

  • geothermal energy

    702 Words  | 2 Pages

    Geothermal energy is one of the oldest sources of energy. It is simply using and reusing (reusable energy) heat from the inside of the earth. Most of the geothermal energy comes from magma, molten or partially molten rock. Which is why most geothermal resources come from regions where there are active volcanoes. Hot springs, geysers, pools of boiling mud, and fumaroles are the most easily exploited sources. The ancient Romans used hot springs to heat baths and homes, and similar uses are still found in Iceland, Turkey, and Japan. The true source of geothermal energy is believed to come from radioactive decay occurring deep within the earth.

    Read More

  • The Contribution Of Leonardo Da Vinci

    1375 Words  | 3 Pages

    Like many people of apart of the Renaissance humanism, Da Vinci viewed science and art as intertwined disciplines rather than separate ones. This made him believe that studying science would make him a better artist. He used science to enhance his paintings and was immediately intrigued. By the time Leonardo turned 50, he would dissect human cadavers to understand the human anatomy better to accurately depict gestures and movement in his paintings. He would record data and draw details of his findings in his notebooks. His anatomical studies were incredibly accurate. In addition to his anatomical investigations, Leonardo studied botany, geology, zoology, hydraulics, aeronautics, and physics. Despite being famously known as an artist, Leonardo probably spent more of his time studying science than doing art or

    Read More

  • Solar Thermal Energy

    1314 Words  | 3 Pages

    Solar thermal energy is dead! A solar thermal heating system can cost upwards of $7,000 to install and it most likely won't even save you too much money. This is why many people debate over whether they should use a solar thermal water heating system, because they think they are saving money, or an inexpensive traditional water heating system. A traditional heating system is a system that is powered off of electricity, gas, oil or some other fuel. A solar thermal heating system uses the energy from the sun, hence “solar”, and it turns that energy into hot water to either heat a home or to provide domestic hot water. The energy from the sun is captured by energy collectors, also known as solar panels. The water is heated inside the panels and then distributed throughout the home for use or stored in a tank for later use. The ideas behind this sound great, but in reality that is not the case.Solar thermal energy is not the best choice for home heating a home or hot water heating.

    Read More

  • Hydropower

    1514 Words  | 4 Pages

    How exactly does hydropower work, though? As it turns out, dams are the main source of harvesting energy via hydropower. There are about 80,000 dams in the United States, although not all are active producers of power. There are four main types of hydropower facilities, which all require turbines: impoundment, diversion, run-of-river, and pumped storage. Also, there are two main types of hydro turbines: impulse turbines and reaction turbines ("Hydropower…”).

    Read More

  • Volcanoes

    373 Words  | 1 Pages

    Volcanoes are holes or vents in the Earth’s crust, created when molten hot magma under the crust

    Read More

  • The Effects and Causes of Volcanic Activity

    1869 Words  | 4 Pages

    Volcanoes are formed when magma is expelled from the Earth’s surface, resulting in volcanic eruptions consisting of ash and lava. Over time, the lava cools and forms into rock on the Earth’s surface. Whenever an eruption occurs, the newly-formed rock from the lava layers continuously until the volcano takes its shape. Volcanic eruptions have taken place for thousands of years, and even today, according to the U.S Geological Survey (2010), there are approximately 1500 active volcanoes located throughout the world.

    Read More

  • Alternative Renewable Energy

    699 Words  | 2 Pages

    With the depletion of fossil fuel resources comes speculations and debates about alternative energy sources. The world, including the Philippines, is practically dependent on a dwindling non-renewable source of energy. Today, experts are debating about and considering three options: Nuclear, Solar, or Wind Energy. Everyone has been accustomed to the bad image of nuclear energy as a result of the Chernobyl and Fukushima incidents above all others. The popular belief is that radiation from a nuclear meltdown is very harmful to humans and other living things—which is true—and that nuclear power plants are very dangerous and not ideal—which is not. According to Smith, et. al (n.d), all the nuclear disasters that ever occurred were caused by human error and natural disasters like tsunamis, not one because of system failure. Putting the false beliefs aside, with proper engineering and adequate maintenance by experts, a nuclear power plant is a very ideal and viable source of energy for the following reasons:

    Read More

  • Energy and Environment

    1014 Words  | 3 Pages

    There are two types of resources using to produce electricity, non-renewable energy resources and renewable energy resources. Non-renewable energy resources or known by fossil fuel such as wood, oil, gas and coal can be defined as solid, liquid or gaseous fuels formed in the ground after millions of years by chemical and physical changes in plants and animal residues under high temperature and pressure.

    Read More

More about Geothermal Energy: A Clean and Renewable Energy

Open Document