Geothermal Energy
By: Adriana Brown
What is it?
Geothermal Energy is the thermal energy that is in rock and fluids in the Earth's crust. It's clean and sustainable. The resources range from the shallow ground a couple of feet under the surface where there is hot rock and hot liquids to miles deeper where there is molten rock known as magma.
How Does it Work?
There are three types of power plants which include dry steam, flash steam, and binary cycle. Flash Steam power plants are the most common. They use reservoirs with water that reach temperatures of 360 degrees Fahrenheit. The boiling water flows up through wells underground under it's own pressure. As it flows upward, the pressure begins to slow down and some of the water transfers into steam. The steam is then separated from the water and is used to power a turbine/generator. Any leftover water is put back into the reservoir which is what makes it a sustainable resource.
What's Good?!?
- Reduces the Reliance on Fossil Fuels
- No Pollution
- Job creations and Economic Benefits
- Affordable Direct Use
What's the Beef?!?
- Not Widespread Source of Energy
- High Installation Cost
- Can Run Out of Steam
- Suitable for Particular Regions
Where is it Used and How?
Icelanders use the Earth's heat for washing, cooking, and heating their homes. Naturally pressurized geothermal fields containing fields of potable at temperatures of 300 degrees Fahrenheit are common throughout the country. Geothermal energy is commonly used on the island because the government eliminated the country's dependence on fossil fuels for heating and electricity. 99% of Iceland's energy is produced from renewable sources and 30% of that energy is geothermal.