6.10 Geothermal Energy

Geothermal Basics

Natural radioactive decay of elements deep in earths core gives off heat, drives magma current carrying heat up to portion of mantle closets to earths surface (water can be piped to great & heated)

-water → steam → turbine → electricity

Geothermal for electricity

Naturally heated water reservoirs underground are drilled & pipes to surface

-heat from magma → steam → spins turbine

-water is cooled & returned to ground to start process over

-renewable

Ground source heat pump

“Geothermal,” but heat doesn’t come from geological activity (comes from ground storing heat from sun)

Geothermal heating

Geothermal heating involves piping water deep into ground to be heated by magma & transferring heat from water to the building

Geothermal pros vs cons

Pros:

-potentially renewable (if water is piped back to ground)

-less CO2 release than fossil fuel electricity

-no release of PM

Cons

-not everywhere has access

-hydrogen sulfide is released → toxic to animals & humans

-$ of drilling