Why don't people use more geothermal energy?
People don't use geothermal heat in their homes because in most cased it doesn't make economic sense. The additional installation costs are not paid back quick enough with operating cost savings. A lot of them don't make sense even with the 30% tax credit.
What are the environmental effects of geothermal energy?
Geothermal energy has minimal environmental impact compared to fossil fuels. However, drilling for geothermal energy can release greenhouse gases and toxins. It can also lead to land subsidence and earthquakes in certain cases.
Can geothermal energy be reused or recycled?
Geothermal energy is a renewable resource that comes from heat within the Earth's crust, so it can be continuously reused. Once the heat is extracted to generate electricity or for heating purposes, the water or steam that carries the heat can be reinjected back into the ground, making geothermal energy a sustainable and reusable source of energy.
What type of energy is geothermal energy?
Geothermal energy is green, clean, renewable or non-depletable energy. It emits no greenhouse gases, and if it's in the right spot it should keep going for as long as the world lasts.
Technically geothermal energy is thermal (heat) energy provided by the hot interior of the Earth. Most often it is in the form of steam which is directed into te turbines of a standard power plant.
The only pollution resulting from it is the thermal pollution of the disposal of heated water to the environment. This can be eliminated by proper cooling facilities.
What happens to water particles when they cool off?
When water particles cool off, they lose energy and slow down, causing them to move closer together. This reduction in energy disrupts the hydrogen bonds between the water molecules, leading to the formation of a solid structure known as ice.
Information that could help me on my proposal on geothermal?
These websites are good. A lot of information and diagrams and stuff:
http://www.agea.org.au/information/about-geothermal/
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/06/geothermal-energy-doe-90-million-investment.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geothermal_power
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/geothermal/faqs.html
http://www.science.org.au/nova/116/116box03.html
How efficient is geothermal energy compared to other fossil fuels?
Geothermal energy is more efficient than fossil fuels because it taps into the Earth's heat to generate electricity, rather than relying on burning finite resources. Geothermal power plants can operate at high capacity factors close to 90%, meaning they can produce electricity consistently without fluctuations like those seen in fossil fuel plants. This results in a more stable and reliable source of energy.
How geothermal energy may be used as a substitute for fossil fuels?
Not a lot of places on the earth have access to geothermal energy, however where it is geothermal energy can be used to generate electricity. Electricity can do anything that fossil fuels can do, from powering a train, to heating a building, to driving a motor bicycle. It is also renewable, emitting no pollution, so it is good for reducing the threat of global warming and climate change.
What is the state in which geothermal energy is used?
Geothermal energy is used in various states around the world, with notable examples being Iceland, the United States (particularly in California, Nevada, and Hawaii), New Zealand, and the Philippines. These regions have abundant geothermal resources and have developed infrastructure to harness this renewable energy source for electricity generation and heating.
How long does a geothermal power plant last?
That answer is really..how do geothermal power plants fail.
They can last as long as there is heat from the planet or until there is a mechanical failure. Theoretically as long as the planet stays hot and the mechanics are totaly perfect the power plant could run for centuries. In real life they run until the mechanics become to costly to repair or until there is a general failure.
How do you gather geothermal energy?
Geothermal energy is gathered by tapping into heat stored beneath the Earth's surface. This can be done by drilling wells to access hot water or steam, which is then used to drive turbines and produce electricity. Geothermal energy is a renewable resource that provides a consistent and reliable source of power.
Explain how geothermal energy may be used as a substitute for fossil fuels?
After it's been pumped down into hot rock, the resulting steam and hot water can be used as a source of heat. The steam and hot water also serve as a source of power to drive turbines, which generate electricity. These are all substitutes for fossil fuels.
energy from earth are not pollutant and provides sufficient substitute energy. some examples are energy from waves, volcanoes, solar, and wind.
What country uses geothermal energy to heat their homes?
Iceland is the largest consumer green energy and of geothermal energy. Geothermal energy provides about 65 percent of their primary energy. This form of energy is mainly used in space hearting. District heating systems aid in distributing the heat evenly through buildings. 85% of all the home in this country use geothermal energy.
How efficient is geothermal energy in terms of energy output per?
Geothermal energy is highly efficient in terms of energy output per unit of input. It can have efficiency rates above 90%, making it one of the most efficient and reliable renewable energy sources available.
What is the water for geothermal power plants heated by?
The water for geothermal power plants is heated by the Earth's natural heat, which comes from the Earth's core. This heat is transferred to underground reservoirs of hot water or steam, which is then pumped to the surface to generate electricity.
What is Geothermal activity mean?
Geothermal activity refers to the natural heat energy trapped beneath the Earth's surface. This can manifest in the form of geysers, hot springs, or volcanoes. Utilizing geothermal energy involves harnessing heat from beneath the Earth's surface to generate electricity or provide heating.
What do we use geothermal energy for?
Geothermal energy is used to generate electricity, for heating and cooling buildings, and for various industrial processes such as desalination and agriculture. It is a renewable and sustainable energy source that relies on the heat stored beneath the Earth's surface.
What is the only country in Europe use geothermal power?
Iceland is the only country in Europe that heavily relies on geothermal power for its energy needs. This is due to its location on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which provides abundant geothermal energy sources.
The earth's stable interior temperature is important in the use and production of geothermal energy?
Yes, the stable interior temperature of the Earth is important for geothermal energy because it provides a consistent and reliable heat source for generating power. This heat can be harnessed through geothermal power plants to produce electricity and heat buildings. The Earth's stable interior temperature also ensures that geothermal energy is a sustainable and renewable resource.
Why cannot all countries rely on geothermal energy?
countries cannot rely on geothermal energy because there are not many suitable places for building a geothermal energy station. This is because you need hot rocks of a certain type and depth. Also a geothermal power station must be built in volcanically active places such as Ireland and New Zealand.
When did geothermal energy start?
The use of geothermal energy dates back thousands of years to ancient civilizations like the Romans who used hot springs for heating. Modern utilization of geothermal energy began in the early 20th century with the development of the first geothermal power plant in Italy in 1904.
Is geothermal energy affected by solar energy?
Since geothermal energy comes from underneath the earth you would say no. But since there is water flowing to from the the wells that produce the geothermal energy and solar energy (heat from the sun) can change water temperature, it can.
Where in New Zealand is geothermal energy produced?
Geothermal energy is mainly produced in the North Island of New Zealand, particularly in regions like Rotorua, Taupo, and the central North Island volcanic plateau. These areas are rich in geothermal activity, making them ideal for geothermal energy production.
What is the only country in Europe that uses geothermal power?
Iceland is the only country in Europe where geothermal power is used extensively for electricity and heat production. This is due to the country's location on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which provides abundant sources of geothermal energy.