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The heat from the earth's own molten core can be converted into electricity. This core consists primarily of extremely high temperature liquid rock known as magma. This "geothermal" heat circulates within the rock or is transferred to underground reservoirs of water, which also circulate under the earth's crust. Because of the near limitless ability of the earth to produce magma, and the continuous transfer of heat between subsurface rock and water, geothermal energy is considered a renewable resource.

Geothermal resources have been harnessed as an energy source since the dawn of civilization, when natural hot springs were first used for cooking and bathing. The geothermal resources tapped to generate electricity are far more intense than those used for space heating and can reside as deep as 10,000 feet below the earth's surface. Capital costs for the construction of geothermal power plants are much higher than for large coal-fired plants or new natural gas turbine technologies. But geothermal plants have reasonable operation and maintenance costs and no fuel costs. Though more expensive than wind power in most cases, new geothermal electricity generation facilities are increasingly competitive with fossil options.Geothermal plants can operate around-the-clock, which increases their value from a reliability point-of-view, unlike some intermittent renewable fuels such as solar and wind.

Geothermal electricity generation technologies consist of either "flash" technology or "binary" technology. With flash technology, water from 300 to 700 degrees Fahrenheit, but still in liquid form, is piped from its highly pressurized underground reservoir into a geothermal facility. Once this super-heated water is released, it flashes into steam that then drives a conventional turbine generator. With binary technology, underground reservoir waters of lower temperatures are used for flashing. Heat from geothermal water is transferred to a second (binary) liquid, which flashes into vapor upon heating, and that vapor is used to drive turbines. (With dry steam technologies - a much rarer fuel source but the one used in the world's largest geothermal power plant at The Geysers in northern California -- highly pressurized geothermal vapor is used directly to drive a turbine.)

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what best describes how geothermal energy is used to make electricity?

Geothermal energy is harnessed by drilling wells into the Earth's crust to access hot water or steam. This steam is then used to drive turbines connected to electric generators, producing electricity. The electricity generated from geothermal energy is a renewable and sustainable source of power.


Can geothermal energy make electricity only during the even hours?

No, geothermal energy can generate electricity continuously, 24 hours a day, regardless of whether it is day or night. Geothermal power plants tap into heat from the Earth's core to generate electricity consistently, making it a reliable source of renewable energy.


Give one disadvantage to converting from fossil fuels to geothermal energy?

Converting one form of energy to other always lost some energy in the process. The use of Geothermal energy is making electricity, fossil fuel can make electricity through generator. Adding unnecessary step from fossil fuel -> geothermal -> electricity is nothing more than additional loss in energy transformation process.


What other countries might make similar use of geothermal energy?

Some other countries that make significant use of geothermal energy include Iceland, New Zealand, the Philippines, and Kenya. These countries have favorable geological conditions that make harnessing geothermal energy feasible and cost-effective. They use geothermal energy for electricity generation, heating, and other industrial applications.


What is a state where geothermal energy is being used?

Iceland is a country where geothermal energy is widely used for heating buildings, generating electricity, and heating water. The country's abundant geothermal resources make it a leader in the use of this renewable energy source.

Related Questions

Do geothermal make electricity only during the evening hours?

Geothermal energy-can make electricity all day or all night.


Can geothermal energy be used to make electricity?

Yes! :)


How do geysers make energy?

Geysers do not make energy themselves. However, they can be used as a source of geothermal energy by harnessing the heat from the underground reservoirs of hot water and steam to generate electricity using geothermal power plants.


To produce or make electricity ___ it?

To produce or make electricity is to generate it. Some of the common ways of generating electricity include using wind power, geothermal energy and burning fossil fuels among others.


what best describes how geothermal energy is used to make electricity?

Geothermal energy is harnessed by drilling wells into the Earth's crust to access hot water or steam. This steam is then used to drive turbines connected to electric generators, producing electricity. The electricity generated from geothermal energy is a renewable and sustainable source of power.


Can geothermal energy make electricity only during the even hours?

No, geothermal energy can generate electricity continuously, 24 hours a day, regardless of whether it is day or night. Geothermal power plants tap into heat from the Earth's core to generate electricity consistently, making it a reliable source of renewable energy.


How is geothermal energy captured in Iceland?

Iceland is one of the most effective country in capturing geothermal energy and using i to make electricity. when water seeps into the cracks of the fissures, it is superheated by magma. the water turns into steam and escapes like a geyser and the steam rotates turbine blades creating electricity.


What produce or makes electricity is to it?

generate


What must be done to make geothermal energy transportable?

Geothermal energy is extracted form the Earth at a physical location on the Earth. To transport the energy it must be converted to electricity and sent dowm wires.


Give one disadvantage to converting from fossil fuels to geothermal energy?

Converting one form of energy to other always lost some energy in the process. The use of Geothermal energy is making electricity, fossil fuel can make electricity through generator. Adding unnecessary step from fossil fuel -> geothermal -> electricity is nothing more than additional loss in energy transformation process.


What other countries might make similar use of geothermal energy?

Some other countries that make significant use of geothermal energy include Iceland, New Zealand, the Philippines, and Kenya. These countries have favorable geological conditions that make harnessing geothermal energy feasible and cost-effective. They use geothermal energy for electricity generation, heating, and other industrial applications.


What is a state where geothermal energy is being used?

Iceland is a country where geothermal energy is widely used for heating buildings, generating electricity, and heating water. The country's abundant geothermal resources make it a leader in the use of this renewable energy source.