Geothermal energy

Heat from the earth can be used in three different ways: to create electricity, Heat buildings or to produce hot water. This great resource can also be found almost anywhere in the world.

How geothermal electricity is produced.

Under the earth’s crust there is molten rock called magma, which continually produces heat. Geothermal power plants drill holes into the magma they then put cool water down these holes this causes the water to turn to steam and then rise back up to the surface this is channeled past electric generators which the steam powers. The steam then condensates and goes back into a tank and the cycle starts again.

Geothermal heat pumps.

Geothermal heat pumps provide both heat and cooling to buildings, this method uses the heat that is only 2-5 metres underground. A pipe runs from outside air to 2-5 metres underground then into a buildings heating system. Either air or antifreeze is pumped through the pipes, in the warm weather the antifreeze moves heat from the building into the ground, then in the winter the warm air in the ground is brought into the building to warm it .

Geothermal hot water.

Hot water near the surface of the earth can be pumped up and then can be stored or used to make geothermal hot pools. Geothermal hot pools and springs can also happen naturally.

 Advantages

The main advantage of the geothermal resource is that it does have any harmful effects on the planet, it does not pollute the earth in any way and it doesn’t cause global warming. Also the amount of energy within 10,000 meters of the earth’s surface contains 50,000 times more energy than all oil and gas resources in the world. Using geothermal energy is also very affordable, sustainable and reduces the amount of fossil fuels we use.