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Geothermal
Includes questions related to generating electricity through the use of naturally occuring heat sources.
981 Questions
What is the worst and best way to generate electricity?
The worst way to generate electricity are fossil fuels and nuclear energy because they produce air pollution, are finite and nuclear energy produce radioactive waste when damaged which is very difficult to recover. Most countries stop using nuclear energy since March 2011 except China.
What state uses the most geothermal energy?
The United States leads the world in production of Geothermal Energy. 2010 figures show 3086 megawatts produced from 77 power plants.
What are the environmental issues or problems with geothermal energy?
Many environmental impacts take place during the building of a geothermal plant. At the beginning of each project, roads and working platforms have to be built so that production equipment can be brought in. These changes to the environment can damage local plants and wildlife. Further, the drilling process can also damage the environment because the deep well will pass through some underground water bodies, which the drilling fluid can contaminate. The increased temperature of the area can kill life forms in the water. Also, the disposal of mud bored out with the drill is a potential environmental problem. Problems can continue to occur when the plant is in operation. The geothermal fluid usually contains gases and dissolved substances that can pollute the environment. Some of them are carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, methane, sodium chloride, boron, arsenic and mercury. Likewise, if the plant is not maintained properly, hot wastewater can leak into surrounding areas and damage the ecosystem.
What are some Pros and cons of geothermal energy?
The advantages are that:
- geothermal energy is a clean energy that not polluting the environment,
- it is a renewable energy,and
- you get steam directly to be directed to turbines
Is geothermal a non-renewable resource?
Geothermal energy, where we use the heat from deep under the earth to generate electricity, is renewable, that is, there is so much of it that we can keep using it practically forever.
Some geothermal plants may over time use up all the heat in that particular location. The power plant may have to be shut down for a few years till the heat renews from deep in the earth.
Strictly speaking geothermal energy is not renewable as we can't grow or make new energy sources to replace it. It is however essentially inexhaustible as it is renewed by processes like radioactive decay and tidal friction in the magma.
It is not 'renewable' if you mean "can humanity restore it?", as it must with trees, for example. It is not so much a renewable energy source as it is a persistent energy source.
It is self-renewing - the Earth is constantly giving off its heat to water which is close enough to the heat to be warmed by it. It is not diminished to any noticeable extent by our using it.
It's capacity is effectively unlimited.
It is renewable.
Yes.
What do geothermal and nuclear power plants have in common?
They are actually very similar. Both systems create steam from their energy sources to drive turbines that are connected to generators. The only real difference is that fossil fuel plants emit pollution, even with the best scrubbers installed.
Nuclear aircraft carriers use fuel about the size of a dime for running every aspect of the ship. If laws were allowed to be realistic and applicable to the real world, nuclear power systems in this country could run on about the same levels of material. It should also be noted that nuclear power plants do not create any radioactive material, but only use it for fuel. X amount of material in and x amount out.
Nuclear plants are the only fully green power source we have.
Why geothermal energy considered a renewable resource apex?
using the energy does not deplete the energy source
Why condenser is used in boiler or steam power plant?
A power plant of the conventional steam turbine/generator type, whether using fossil fuel or a nuclear reactor, operates by pumping feedwater at high pressure into the steam raising units, the steam is admitted to the turbine which has various stages. At the high pressure end the rotor blades are short but they get progressively longer as you go down the machine, because the steam is expanding to a lower pressure so has a greater volume. At the back end where the steam comes out of the turbine, you will get maximum power and hence maximum efficiency of the plant by having a vacuum, so that steam below 100 degC is still doing useful work. Hence the condenser cooled by ambient temperature water from an outside source, where the below atmospheric pressure steam is condensed to water and returned to the feed pump inlets. So you may see the condenser as wasting heat, but in fact it considerably increases the overall efficiency. This steam/water cycle is called the Rankine Cycle and you will find an article on this in Wikipedia.
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Are hot springs and geysers examples of geothermal activity?
Yes, this is true. Geothermal power is the only form of renewable energy that does not originally come from the sun. Geothermal power uses the heat from deep inside the earth.
What is a geothermal technician?
see this link http://www.itabc.ca/Page610.aspx and this description Domestic/Residential Certified Geothermal Heating Technician" means a person who performs construction related tasks in the residential market dealing with the design, installation and servicing of ground source or geothermal heating and air conditioning systems
It has a good source of geothermal energy because iceland is on the edge between two tectonic plates and it had a volcano erupted. The volcanic ash made really good fertile soil for the farmers and because Magma heats the rocks that surround it, these rocks often hold water that also becomes heated. This heated water can be used to drive turbines that generate electricity, to heat homes, to grow crops, and to keep the roads free of ice.
Why is the geothermal gradient lower than average in subduction zonegeology?
because the oceanic crust lithospher descend into the mantle at the subduction zone .it will be taken to increasing higher temperature as it get deeper
Is Greenland or Iceland heated by geothermal vents?
It is Iceland that has geothermal vents. Iceland's population use it to heat their houses and to make electricity.
B.C. The Hairless Guy
What are the advantages and disadvantages of ocean thermal energy?
Ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) uses warm surface water to produce steam (using either ammonia or a vacuum) to generate electricity. Cooler deep water then cools the system and the cycle continues. Enough electricity is produced to drive the pumps and the excess is exported to the grid.
Advantages:
- Generates electricity with no greenhouse emissions.
- Totally renewable energy.
- Works day and night with only routine pump maintenance and little ongoing costs.
- Open system version produces desalinated water as well.
- Unlimited source of free energy especially in tropical waters.
Disadvantages:
(are few)
- Needs a large difference in temperatures (surface and deep) for best results.
- Needs to be close to the national grid.
- Needs a constant supply of warm and cold water, so only suitable for tropical locations.
- Plant needs safe location from storms and surf.
Why is it easier to produce geothermal energy in Iceland than in the US?
Because Iceland is located on a hot-spot.
