Alternative Energy Source:
Geothermal Energy
How is Geothermal Energy created?
In 1904 Piero Ginori Conti, an Italian scientist, invented a geothermal electricity power plant. Geothermal power plants use steam produced from reservoirs of hot water found a few miles or more below the Earth's surface to produce electricity. The steam rotates a turbine that activates a generator, which produces electricity.
How does Geothermal Energy work?
The geothermal heat pump system is made up of three main parts; the heating unit, the ground heat exchanger and the air delivery system (or duct-work)
-The process of generating geothermal power starts by extracting hot water several feet into the earth for electricity production.
-The heat is then used to warm up homes and offices during winter. In the summer, the process is reversed.
In 1904 Piero Ginori Conti, an Italian scientist, invented a geothermal electricity power plant. Geothermal power plants use steam produced from reservoirs of hot water found a few miles or more below the Earth's surface to produce electricity. The steam rotates a turbine that activates a generator, which produces electricity.
How does Geothermal Energy work?
The geothermal heat pump system is made up of three main parts; the heating unit, the ground heat exchanger and the air delivery system (or duct-work)
-The process of generating geothermal power starts by extracting hot water several feet into the earth for electricity production.
-The heat is then used to warm up homes and offices during winter. In the summer, the process is reversed.
How much does it cost to install geothermal energy?
The price really depends if the loop system is vertical or horizontal. For example: An average home of 25000 square feet, with a heating and cooling load of both 60,000 BTU would cost around $20,000—$25,000 to install.
The price really depends if the loop system is vertical or horizontal. For example: An average home of 25000 square feet, with a heating and cooling load of both 60,000 BTU would cost around $20,000—$25,000 to install.
Benefits:
~Environmentally friendly compared to gas or oil furnaces. ~Not a significant source of pollution. ~Renewable resource as long as Earth exists. ~Moving heat that already exists opposed to making new heat. |
Drawbacks:
~There are environmental issues associated with geothermal power. ~Geothermal power plants can in extreme cases cause earthquakes. ~Geothermal energy using wells requires an incredible usage of water. |
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT GEOTHERMAL ENERGY:
~In the U.S. the first geothermal plant started in 1922
~The first geothermal plant had the capacity of 250 kilowatts
~There are three types of geothermal power plants: dry stream, flash, and binary.
~Geothermal energy is generated in 20+ countries.
~In the U.S. the first geothermal plant started in 1922
~The first geothermal plant had the capacity of 250 kilowatts
~There are three types of geothermal power plants: dry stream, flash, and binary.
~Geothermal energy is generated in 20+ countries.
Where we got our information // Sources: