Geothermal Energy

By Group D - Shreyas, Akshadha, Navadeep

What is geothermal energy?
Geothermal energy is heat derived within the
sub-surface of the earth. Water and/or steam carry
the geothermal energy to the Earth's surface.
Depending on its characteristics, geothermal energy
can be used for heating and cooling purposes or be
harnessed to generate clean electricity.

What is Geothermal energy?

Geothermal energy is a type of renewable energy taken
from the Earth's core. It is heat derived within the
sub-surface of the earth. This thermal energy is
stored in rocks and fluids in the centre of the earth.
Examples:Hot water can be released through geysers,
hot springs, steam vents, underwater hydrothermal
vents, and mud pots,lava flows, fumaroles.
How is geothermal energy produced?
Magma heats nearby rocks and underground aquifers.
Hot water can be released through geysers, hot
springs, steam vents, underwater hydrothermal vents,
and mud pots. These are all sources of geothermal
energy. Their heat can be captured and used directly
for heat, or their steam can be used to generate
electricity.
https://youtu.be/VhBq0E53WD0
What is Geothermal Energy used for?
Geothermal energy can heat, cool, and generate electricity:
Geothermal energy can be used in different ways depending on
the resource and technology chosen—heating and cooling
buildings through geothermal heat pumps, generating electricity
through geothermal power plants, and heating structures
through direct-use.
 How does Geothermal Energy function?
1. WELLS ARE DRILLED

A production well is drilled into a known geothermal reservoir. Typically, an injection well is also drilled to return used
geothermal fluids to the geothermal reservoir. Hot geothermal fluids flow through pipes to a power plant for use in
generating electricity.

2. STEAM TURNS THE TURBINE

Hot, pressurized geothermal fluid, or a secondary working fluid, is allowed to expand rapidly and provide rotational or
mechanical energy to turn the turbine blades on a shaft.

3. THE TURBINE DRIVES THE ELECTRIC GENERATOR

Rotational energy from the turning turbine shaft is used directly to spin magnets inside a large coil and create electrical
current. The turbine and generator are the primary pieces of equipment used to convert geothermal energy to electrical
energy.

4. TRANSMISSION - POWER LINES DELIVER ELECTRICITY

Electrical current from the generator is sent to a step-up transformer outside the power plant. Voltage is increased in the
transformer and electrical current is transmitted over power lines to homes, buildings, and businesses.
The Pros And Cons of Geothermal Energy
Pros Cons
Environmental Friendly : - Geothermal energy is more environmentally High Initial Cost : - The process of accessing the underground heat
friendly than conventional fuel sources such as coal and other fossil fuels. source implies that the first phases of the project are long and
economically expensive.

Renewable : - Geothermal energy is a energy source when utilized it is not Location : - Due to geothermal conditions inside the Earth are not
depleted. The hot reservoirs in the Earth which geothermal energy relies always optimal, in some parts, some installations would have such low
on, are naturally replenished. thermal performance that they would not be viable.

No fuel required : - Since geothermal energy is a naturally occurring Effects on the environment : -In environmental terms, although
resource there is no fuel required, such as with fossil fuels that are a geothermal energy is considered environmentally friendly and does not
finite resource which needs mining or otherwise extracting from the generate so many carbon dioxide emissions as fossil fuels, this energy
earth. resource can also emit other toxic emissions.

Reliable : -Energy generated from this resource is easy to calculate since Technology : - The geothermal energy sector is still developing. As a result, the
it does not fluctuate in the same way as other energy sources, such as number of geothermal resources exploited worldwide is almost insignificant
solar and wind compared with other exploited resources in most countries.

Stable : - Geothermal provides a reliable source of energy as compared to Costly Installation Equipment And Slower Payback Times : -Installing the specific
other renewable resources such as wind and solar power. equipment needed for a geothermal energy system is quite a pricey ordeal!
Facts About GeoThermal Energy
1. Baseload energy - it’s always on: Geothermal power plants produce electricity consistently, running 24 hours a
day, 7 days a week. The power output of a geothermal power plant is highly predictable and stable, thus facilitating energy
planning with remarkable accuracy.
2. Geothermal energy can heat, cool, and generate electricity: Geothermal energy can be used in different
ways depending on the resource and technology chosen.
3. Over 100 years of geothermally sourced energy: The first ever geothermal plant was set up in Larderello,
Italy, in 1904. Steam from that geothermal source was used to turn a small turbine which powered five light bulbs.
4. The largest geothermal plant in the world is located in California: The Geysers Geothermal Complex
located north of San Francisco, California, is comprised of 18 power plants and is the largest geothermal installation in
the world.
5. Geothermal can be closer than you think: Research funded by the Geothermal Technologies Office seeks ways
to tap into geothermal resources across any nation.