GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
Energy from the Earths Core
How Geothermal Energy Is Formed
Geothermal Energy Fun Facts
- The word geothermal comes from the Greek words geo (earth) and thermal (heat)
- The Earths core is hotter than the sun’s surface!
- The United States is the leader in geothermal power generation, with geothermal power plants in seven states.
- Geothermal energy is the main energy source in Iceland.
- Geothermal produces about 0.4% of the energy used in the United States
Geothermal Energy Facts
The technology behind geothermal electricity generation has improved substantially but it still only provides a fraction of world electricity generation.
Geothermal power is clean, reliable and cost effective but its availability is often limited to areas near tectonic plate boundaries.
Geothermal power plants in the Philippines and Iceland contribute around 30% of their electricity production. In the USA it is less than 1%.
As of 2010, 24 countries around the world use geothermal power to generate electricity while around 70 use it for various forms of heating.
Geothermal heating applications include industrial uses, heat pumps, space heating and bathing
Humans have enjoyed geothermal energy in the form of hot springs for thousands of years.
The oldest known spa fed from a hot spring is believed to be a stone pool found on Lisan Mountain in China, built in the 3rd century BC.
In some parts of Iceland, hot water runs from geothermal power plants under pavements and roads to help melt ice.