Contents

 What is geothermal energy?

 Locations
 How is Geothermal Energy Produced?
 How Does Geothermal Energy Work?
 Uses
 Advantages
 Disadvantages
 Facts
What is geothermal energy?
Geothermal energy is a type of renewable energy obtained from the
Earth’s core. It comes from heat generated during the original
formation of the planet and the radioactive decay of materials. This
thermal energy is stored in rocks and fluids in the centre of the earth.
The word ‘geothermal’ has Greek roots with geo meaning earth, and
thermos meaning hot.
Locations
 The hottest geothermal springs in Greenland, are located in East
Greenland.

 It is located in the south-west of the country, close to

the capital Reykjavík, and captures geothermal energy
from the volcanic Hengill mountain
 

How is Geothermal Energy Produced?

Wells of up to a mile deep or more are drilled into underground
reservoirs to tap into the geothermal resources. These resources can
be exploited from naturally occurring heat, rock, and water
permeability or through enhanced geothermal systems, which enhance
or create geothermal resources through a process called hydraulic
stimulation. These geothermal resources, whether natural or
enhanced, drive turbines linked to electricity generators.
How Does Geothermal Energy Work?
Geothermal power plants come in three different designs-dry
steam, flash, and binary:
 The oldest type is dry steam, which takes steam directly from
fractures in the ground to drive a turbine.
 Flash pants pull high pressure hot water from underground and
mix it with cooler low-pressure water. This, in turn, creates
steam that is used to drive a turbine.
 Binary plants use hot water passed through a secondary fluid
that has a lower boiling point than water. The secondary fluid is
turned into vapour which drives a turbine. Most future
geothermal power plants are expected to be binary plants.
Uses
Geothermal energy has been used in some countries for thousands of
years for domestic purposes such as cooking and in heating systems.
 The underground geothermal reservoirs of steam and heated
water can be used for electricity generation.
  Geothermal water has been used to help grow plants in
greenhouses.
 And for district heating in homes and businesses using ground
source heat pumps.
 It can be used for cooking.
 It can be piped under roads to melt snow.
 The heat can also be used for drying food.
Advantages
 Environmentally Friendly than other sources of energy.
 A source of renewable energy.
 Pollution levels are much lower than fossil fuels.
 No fuel is required.
 Reliable, as its power output can be predicted with high
accuracy.
Disadvantages
 High Cost
 The gases stored beneath the earth’s surface are released
 Location Specific
 The alteration of the earth’s surface during, digging runs the risk
of triggering earthquakes.
 It is expensive to tap into. The cost of plants range from 2-7
million.

Facts
 Geothermal energy accounts for 6% of Iceland’s primary energy
use.
 About 87% of all buildings in Iceland use geothermal for
heating and hot water.
 Geothermal energy provides tourists attractions such as the Blue
Lagoon.
 The largest power station in Iceland produces 303 MW of
energy.
 The five major power plants in Iceland produce approximately
26% of the nation’s electricity.