Above: Palinpinon Geothermal power plant in Sitio Nasulo, Brgy. Puhagan, Valencia, Negros Oriental, Philippines
Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9c/Puhagan_geothermal_plant.jpg
What is Geothermal Energy?
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Geothermal energy is heat stored within the Earth. This heat moves from the core, heating underground rocks as it passes through them. When it gets close to the surface, the heat is carried into space. Sometimes it heats underground water until it becomes steam. The steam that bursts through a crack or hole in the Earth's crust as a geyser or hot springs if there is water on the surface.
In earlier times, people mostly use geothermal energy through hot springs. The Ancient Romans used water from underground hot springs to fill baths or to heat the tiled floor around the bath using pipes. In 1903, the world's first geothermal power station was made in Cardello, Itlay and in 1904, it began to produce electricity. It is still used today and it provides enough electricity for a small village. Native Americans used thermal areas as sacred healing places.
Advantages of Geothermal Energy
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Disadvantages of Geothermal Energy
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How does Geothermal energy work?
Source: http://s1.hubimg.com/u/484084_f496.jpg
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Geothermal energy itself cannot be used. You might be wondering ‘Why?’ .The reason is because it contains many minerals that clog up water pipes. The Icelanders came up with a great idea. First they pumped up the water heated by geothermal energy up the mountains to a height of about 1300 feet. Then it flows downhill to the city thanks to the power of gravity. After circulating the city and being distributed among the homes and heating water it flows through rainwater sewers to melt ice on roads and pavements.
Geothermal energy can be used to produce electricity. There are a lot of different types of geothermal stations but the most common type of geothermal station is the ‘flash steam’ power plant. This plant pumps cold water into the ground where heated rocks are present. This water is then turned into steam which goes back up to the station. This steam powers a turbine which produces electricity. This is clean and renewable way of producing electricity because the steam could be cooled and turned into water and this eater could be reused again.
Geothermal energy can be used to produce electricity. There are a lot of different types of geothermal stations but the most common type of geothermal station is the ‘flash steam’ power plant. This plant pumps cold water into the ground where heated rocks are present. This water is then turned into steam which goes back up to the station. This steam powers a turbine which produces electricity. This is clean and renewable way of producing electricity because the steam could be cooled and turned into water and this eater could be reused again.
What will Geothermal energy look like in the future?
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Nobody knows what the future of the world. Will the world be peaceful and live with other lifeforms from space? Or will we start a nuclear warfare and destroy the world? Nobody can tell. Anyway, it is easy, however to predict the future of geothermal energy. First of all, there may be more geothermal plants. Already, other countries are starting to use geothermal energy just like Iceland. Already, the Parliament building in Germany is powered by geothermal energy. In the future, the HDR (Hot Dry Rock) method will be used. Cold water will be pumped into the earth through layers of hot rock. After that, the hot water will be pumped back to the station where it will power a turbine which will be generate electricity. Geothermal energy can end the world's reliance on fossil fuels. If it is used responsibly and effectively...