Understanding Geothermal Energy: Geothermal Energy: Eco20/20

Understanding Geothermal Energy

Understanding geothermal energy is more difficult than any other renewable energy resource. The heat that is generated from the earth's core is converted into electricity. There are 3 distinct types of geothermal energy power plants:

Dry steam plants retract steam from the ground and use it to rotate turbines to such an extent that electricity is created from it. It is the first geothermal design to be used. The steam averages between 140 degrees Celsius and 150 degrees Celsius.

Flash plants use the boiling underground water steam by separating it from the water. When it reaches the surface it can be distributed into various turbines to create effective power. It is seen as a very popular operating plant in today's society.

Binary plants intercepts the underground hot water by letting it flow into turbines that can exchange heat and will activate the turbine to spin; therefore, ensuring the consistent supply of electricity.

Depending on the geological structure of the area will determine if geothermal energy can be used. Countries that have a volcanic feature like for example New Zealand, USA, Chile, Iceland can all benefit from geothermal energy. Over 80% of the houses in Iceland are provided by geothermal power.

A recent discovery regarding warm steamy rocks is being explored to create more geothermal electricity. These rocks consist of radiogenic granite and are able to create steam when there is sufficient sediment between the earths surface. Drilling holes into the rocks releases steam and forms an electrical generator.

To set up a geothermal plant is expensive; however, when up and running it is self-sufficient. It is a sustainable energy. After doing the process successfully the fluids are injected back into the ground to reduce the side effective that normal energy plants have. The biggest power plant is situated in California.

Companies and countries are the ones that benefit from it the most. Countries are starting to commercialize geothermal energy. The Philippines is the second largest producer of geothermal energy and it provides the country with almost 20% natural electricity. The USA is the largest.

A geothermal plant can supply a large amount of cities with electricity but it can also be used in a smaller capacity to provide a third world countries power. More than 20 countries worldwide use geothermal plants to obtain safe environmental friendly power. To understand geothermal energy takes time and research. Individual people will find this type renewable energy to use difficult.

Awareness needs to be created by society that there are alternative solutions to provide safe energy to the world. Almost 70 countries use geothermal energy in some or other form. It is amazing to think that there are resources available from earth that can feed sustainable power.

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