geothermal power plant

geothermal power plant

1. Geothermal power plant

2. Introduction Geothermal power plants use hydrothermal resources that have both water (hydro) and heat (thermal). Geothermal power plants require high-temperature (300°F to 700°F) hydrothermal resources that come from either dry steam wells or from hot water wells. People use these resources by drilling wells into the earth and then piping steam or hot water to the surface. The hot water or steam powers a turbine that generates electricity. Some geothermal wells are as much as 2 miles deep.

3. Types of geothermal power plants There are three basic types of geothermal power plants: Dry steam plants use steam directly from a geothermal reservoir to turn generator turbines. The first geothermal power plant was built in 1904 in Tuscany, Italy, where natural steam erupted from the earth.

4. Flash steam plants take high-pressure hot water from deep inside the earth and convert it to steam to drive generator turbines. When the steam cools, it condenses to water and is injected back into the ground to be used again. Most geothermal power plants are flash steam plants.

5. Binary cycle power plants are expected to be the most commonly used type of geothermal power plant in the future, as locations outside of the known hot spots begin to use geothermal energy. Binary power plants transfer the heat from geothermal hot water to another liquid. The heat causes the second liquid to turn to steam, which is used to drive a generator turbine.

6. Advantages of Geothermal Energy There are plenty of hot springs and natural pools across the world that emit geothermal energy. The water from such a natural source of geothermal energy is commonly used for bathing, warmth, and cooking. GHPs powered heating, and air-conditioning systems are more efficient as they use 25 to 50% less electricity than conventional systems. Ultimately, there is a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions as well. Many buildings, sidewalks, and parking lots are heated using geothermal energy. Also, known as a green source of energy because it does not release hazardous greenhouse gases. Thus, it is safe for both environmental and human health. Geothermal energy systems can adjust to various conditions. One of the best advantages of geothermal energy is that cold countries use geothermal energy to heat greenhouses or heat water for irrigation. Iceland mostly uses geothermal energy to heat buildings and water using magma and molten rock resources. It is a renewable, carbon-free, and sustainable source of energy. The Earth will continuously transmit heat from its core for billions of years.

7. Disadvantages of Geothermal Energy Geothermal energy emits sulphur dioxide and hydrogen sulphide . The regions that consist of geothermal plants often experience minor seismic activity. The power plants can also damage roadways, buildings, pipelines, and natural drainage systems. Land subsidence can also occur in case geothermal energy yielders fail to inject back the extracted water from the reservoir into the Earth. The method of drilling geothermal plants deep under the Earth proves to be dangerous for the people involved in the process that is one of the greatest disadvantages of geothermal energy. It is hard for developing countries to build thermal plants because of their high initial cost. Geothermal energy emits out at a gradual speed from the Earth's mantle. The construction of geothermal sites may be hazardous for the environment as the process may discharge highly toxic gases.

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