GEOTHERMAL ENERGY

By Tripp, Isabelle, Maria,Varun

-Yes, it supplies more than 10,000mw to 24 countries world wide

-The Philippine islands are the world’s second largest producer of geothermal energy behind the US.

-Geothermal energy usage is expected to rise in the coming years.

Is Geothermal Energy used globally?

Geothermal energy is used for…

1. Generating electricity

2. heating and cooling buildings

3.Warming water for bathing and swimming

Amount of Geothermal Energy Produced WorldwideThis graph shows that in the last 50 years. The amount of the geothermal energy that has been produced has jumped dramatically. In 1950, the amount of geothermal energy was only around 250 megawatts. By 1975, that number was up to 1500. By the new millennium, the amount of geothermal energy produced was over 8000.

Amount of Geothermal Energy Produced by CountryAccording to the graph, around 50% of all geothermal energy produced by just two countries: the United States and the Philippines. While the geothermal energy production of every other country in the world is just enough to equal that production

How is geothermal energy used in technology

In the video you will see the production of geothermal energy and how it is used in various ways. It shows three main methods binary, flash and dry. Geothermal energy is a clean source with no emitting toxins and can almost always be renewed.

http://geothermal.marin.org/video/vid_pt3.html

Geothermal Technology-Traps heat beneath the earths surface to generate electricity- In the future, the intense heat deep below the surface will retrieve data for the electricity generation and help advanced engineering of reservoirs all around the country

This picture shows heat and electricity produced for a home from a small yet powerful geothermal plant. The heat energy created in geothermal energy allows it to double in floor heating and household electricity

Heating and electricity production from Geothermal energy

Consumption of Geothermal EnergyThis graph shows a trend in GE production over the last forty years. Meaning that more and more people are now depending on a renewable energy source in Geothermal energy to power their homes, offices, and more. The amount of GE energy consumed has gone from nearly nothing to around 300 quadrillion BTU (British Thermal Units) per year.

http://www.homemadeenergyreview.com/geothermal-energy-overview/

How using Geothermal Energy helpsThis table shows what happens when people use geothermal energy.In short, it saves 4.31 lbs. of nitrous oxide per megawatt hour, and nearly 78,000 tons of sulfur dioxide. No particulate matter is released. 16 million tons of carbon dioxide is saved per year by using geothermal energy. This is how geothermal energy helps when it is used.

Emission Nitrous Oxide(Nox)

Sulfur Dioxide(SO2)*

Particulate Matter(PM)

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

Sample Impacts

• Lung irritation• Coughing• Smogformation• Water qualitydeterioration

• Wheezing• Chesttightness• Respiratoryillness,• Ecosystemdamage

• Asthma• Bronchitis• Atmospheric deposition• Visibility impairment

Global warming produced by CO2 increases…• Sea level• Flood risk• Glacial Melting

Geothermalemissions(lb/MWh)

0 0 – 0.35 0 0 – 88.8

Coal emissions(lb/MWh)

4.31 10.39 2.23 2,191

EmissionsOffset byGeothermalUse (per yr)

32 thousand tons

78 thousand tons

17 thousand tons

16 million tons

http://geo-energy.org/reports/environmental%20guide.pdf

Advantages and Disadvantages of Geothermal Energy

Advantages Disadvantages Geothermal energy

heat pumps can pay for themselves in as little as two years.

Main emission is water vapor.

With the current usage of geothermal energy, 5.8 million tons of CO2 has been saved.

Extremely expensive upfront cost to install ground-source heat pumps.

Is not a large-scale replacement to classic energy sources. Can only be used for individual buildings.

Still requires electricity to work.

http://geothermalenergyprosandcons.com/

This picture very heavily explains the technology and production of geothermal energy. It shows the process and then explains a variety of significances. Geothermal energy is heat that can be converted into electricity or remain heat. It can also be produced in three ways binary, flash, and dry.

Geothermal Energy vs. Fossil Fuels Geothermal energy is produced in 3 different ways: Dry,

Binary, and Flash Flash method happens the water is stored in a well,

then the heated water will rise due to pressure, as the water turns into steam, the steam powers the generator, producing electricity.

Binary Cycles operate on water greater than 220 degrees (F) these plants use the heat from water to heat a liquid. This liquid is vaporized to create energy for a turbine.

On the other hand, fossil fuels are burned to generate fuel, which contributes to many problems.

Pictures of Geothermal Energy on public lands

Comparison of Energy costsGeothermal energy remains highly

competitive to natural gas. $88 MW/h from geothermal, whereas natural gas costs $101 per MW/h. the cost of the geothermal won’t fluctuate over time, but fossil fuels will steadily increase.

B I B L O G R A P H Y -"Functioning principles of a near-surface geothermal energy station | Agentur für ErneuerbareEnergien." Startseite | Agentur für ErneuerbareEnergien. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Jan. 2013.

<http://www.unendlich-viel- energie.de/en/details/browse/6/article/226/functioning-principles-of-a- near-surface-geothermal-energy-station.html>.

-"Geothermal Education Office." Geothermal Education Office. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Jan. 2013. <http://geothermal.marin.org/video/vid_pt3.html>.

-"Glogster - join the visual communication network ." Glogster - join the visual communication network . N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Jan. 2013. <http://glogster.com>.MLA formatting by BibMe.org.

-"NREL: Geothermal Technologies Home Page." National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Home Page. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Jan. 2013. <http://www.nrel.gov/geothermal/>.

-“Geothermal basics current use.”Geothermal energy association. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 December 2012 <http;//www.geo-energy.org/currentuse.aspx>.