LC Geography - Geothermal Energy

Examine how humans interact with the rock cycle, with reference to geothermal energy. Leaving Cert (Ireland) Geography

Geothermal energy

• Hot water

• Heated by volcanic activity

• Iceland

Renewable energy source

• Almost infinite

• Reduces need for fossil fuels

• Reduces greenhouse gases

Magma

• Heats ground

• Wells of hot water at 200°C

• 1km below surface

How is boiling water collected?

• From water underground due to pressure

• Steam on surface generates electricity

Groundwater shortage

• Cold water pipes (10°C)

• Pump into rock via wells

Heated water

• Goes to surface

• Decompressed into steam

• Drives turbines to generate electricity

Iceland

• Volcanic island at Mid-Atlantic Ridge

• Eurasian and North American plates

• Economically benefits from geothermal energy

How does Iceland use geothermal energy?

• 26% electricity generated with geothermal

• 5 geothermal power plants

• 89% electricity used in homes is geothermal

How does this benefit Iceland?

• People pay less for heating

• Geothermal power plant emits 20% carbon emissions of gas power plant

• Reykjavik - one of the world’s cleanest cities

What will happen by 2030?

• Iceland Deep Drilling Project

• Increase figure from 26% to 50%

• Drilling deeper into rock, waters at 450°C

Heating greenhouses

• Naturally warm soil to grow vegetables

• Benefits horticulture industry

How are expensive imports reduced?

• Increased production of crops

• Lengthen growing season

• Producing crops is cheap

More trading benefits…

• Reduce the need to purchase oil

• Less imports; improves balance of trade

Tourism Industry

• Blue Lagoon: lake/spa complex, 40°C waters

• Geysers/geothermal springs

• 2014: Approx. 1m tourists in Iceland

• Creates employment

Selling geothermal electricity

• To Europe

• Via undersea cables of 1170km to UK

• Cheap power attracts metal smelting companies to Iceland