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Geothermal power plants work in one of two ways.

One way is that they drill wells into a geothermal reservoir and extract steam to be used in a turbine. If the reservoir is not quite hot enough, they might have to extract hot water, and flash it into steam by lowering the pressure. In either case, this steam is run through a turbine, which turns a generator to generate electricity. The steam is usually condensed and either used in the plant or reinjected into the ground.

The other way some plants work is by using the geothermal steam to heat water contained in a closed loop. This water is turned into steam, and runs the turbine. The steam from the ground would be condensed and reinjected. This has the advantage of keeping the geothermal steam separate from the power plant.

Note that other than the source of the steam, a geothermal power plant operates in much the same way most other power plants work. Using steam to turn a turbine, which turns a generator is a very common method. Notable exceptions would be wind farms, solar cells, and hydropower dams, among others.

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Q: How do geothermal power plants generate electricity?
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Is geothermal energy dangerous?

No. Geothermal power plants use extremely hot liquids to generate electricity. Electricity too is dangerous when not managed properly. However, if the power plant is build and run properly then it is not dangerous.


Can you use geothermal for vehicles?

Not directly. But geothermal energy can generate electricity and power (recharge the batteries) of electric cars.


How is magma used to generate electricity?

Magma is molten rock under the earth's crust. In geothermal power plants, water is pumped underground. It turns into steam which is then used to drive electricity generators.


What are uses for geothermal power plants?

Geothermal power plants are used for anything. Since they generate electricity by using the heat of the earth, they can be used to power communities. Anything that needs electricity could use a geothermal power plant and it is one of the cleanest forms of power generation yet. Furthermore, some large factories use geothermal heat to heat their factories. This is achieved in a similar fashion as geothermal power plants but instead of heating the water to steam underground, it is only heated enough that it does not biol. This heated water is then sent thoughout tubes around the factor and the heat dissipates into the air heating it.


What do coal power plants and hydroelectric power plants have in common?

They both generate electricity.


What is the use of coal to geothermal power plant?

A geothermal power plant does not use coal to generate energy. Coal would be superfluous.


Is geothermal energy carbon neutral?

Yes. There are no carbon dioxide emissions from a geothermal power plant. Only the heat from underground providing steam to generate electricity.


How can Geothermal Energy be used as a substitute for Fossil fuel energy in homes today?

If the location is suitable for geothermal energy use, that is, if there are hot rocks not too far below the surface of the earth, then a power plant can be built. This will generate clean electricity which can be fed into the grid and so to homes. Geothermal power plants mean that polluting fossil fuel (coal, oil and natural gas) power plants can be phased out.


What are two energy resources which are not fuels and which are used to generate electricity?

Wind power, hydroelectric power, solar power, tidal power, nuclear power, geothermal power.


What is the element used to generate electricity in nuclear power plants?

Urainium


Why was nuclear power plants invented in the first place?

to generate electricity.


What produce or makes electricity is to it?

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