Energy within the Earth
By: Kendall Dickson, Xavier Edwards, & Maddi Williams
Geothermal energy is designed several ways. The first power plant involves steam going directly through a turbine, then into a condenser where the steam is condensed into water. The second design is very hot water depressurized into steam which can then be used to drive the turbine. In the last design hot water is passed through a heat exchange, where it heats a second liquid in a closed loop. The disadvantages of geothermal energy are the dangers of eruption, the possibility of harmful gas release through the holes drilled during construction. The economic disadvantages include the high installation cost and the far distance from most markets and cities. The environmental advantages are that geothermal energy is renewable, it can be used directly, and it doesn't take up much space. As far as economic advantages there are low maintenance costs and geothermal energy is not dependent on the weather.
First Article: How Geothermal Energy Works
Summary: Geothermal energy can be found almost anywhere. Many regions of the world are already tapping geothermal energy as an affordable and sustainable solution to reducing the dependence on fossil fuels. This also helps the global warming and public health risks that are caused by the use of fossil fuels. The U.S. has more geothermal capacity than any other country. Geothermal heat pumps also use the steady temperatures just underground to cool buildings and houses.
Second Article: Geothermal Energy
Summary: Geothermal energy is the clean and sustainable heat from the Earth. The main resources of geothermal energy range from shallow ground to hot water. Geothermal heat pumps can tap into this resource to heat and cool buildings. In the U.S. most geothermal reservoirs of hot water are located in the western states. Wells can be drilled into underground reservoirs for the generation of electricity. Many technologies have been developed to take advantage of geothermal energy.
Opinion Piece
Our opinion on geothermal energy is that it should be used throughout the world. The global community consumes a large amount of energy. Fossil fuels remain the primary way electricity is generated but the greenhouse gas it gives off is unnecessary when we could be using geothermal energy.Since the heat is directly below the Earth's surface, this makes it a universal resource. The most active geothermal spots are near fault lines and volcanoes but also found where there are hot springs, geysers and geothermal reservoirs. Geothermal energy can be collected cleanly and efficiently.
FUN FACTS
1. The word “geothermal” was coined from 2 Greek words, “geo” and “thermos” which means “Earth” and “heat”.
2. A very common result of geothermal energy which we enjoy today is natural hot springs.
3. The USA does is not that known to use geothermal energy, with its mere 1% usage.
4. Two of the countries that use geothermal energy the most are Iceland and the Philippines, where geothermal energy is harnessed for about 30 % of their total electricity production.
5. A geothermal heat pump system can be used to regulate the hot and cold temperature of a home.
Works Cited
"Curiosity." Discovery Channel. Joanna Burgess, n.d. Web. 02 Jan. 2014.
"Fun Facts About Geothermal Energy." Geothermalenergyinfocom Atom. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Jan. 2014.