Geothermal Energy

Sources of Earths Internal

Energy
70% comes from the decay of radioactive nuclei
with long half lives that are embedded within the
Earth
Energy from residual heat, left over from Earths
accretion.

The rest of the energy comes from meteorite

impacts.

Availability of Geothermal Energy

Earth emits some 44TW of

energy. Not homogeneously

As a rough rule, 1 km3 of hot rock

cooled by 1000C will yield 30 MW
of electricity over thirty years.

The heat flux from the center of

the Earth can fulfill human energy
demands (Joules are there, by
techniques.)

Where is Geothermal Energy

found?

Large areas in
Western US
Why?

http://sol.crest.org/renewables/SJ/geothermal/images/510-t.gif

Where is Geothermal Energy

found?

Locally, think magma

Tectonically:
Subduction zones
Mid ocean ridges (Iceland)
Rift zones (volcanically
active)
Rift zones/grabens with
deep faults + water
Hotspots
Areas of thin crust (Basin
and Range)
California, Alaska, Oregon,
Nevada provide most of USs
GE resource
http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/renewable_energ
y_basics/offmen-how-geothermal-energy-works.html

Principles
Volcanic: think heat
Earths Crust Thickness: 3 to 35 Mi.
Think geothermal gradient:17-30C / km

Pathways for hot water (deep faults)

Basic Geothermal Systems Take
Advantage of:
Heat Differential Between interior and
surface

Different Geothermal Energy

Sources
Hot Water Reservoirs: hot underground water. Large
number, but best suited for space heating
Natural Steam Reservoirs: Steam comes to the
surface. This type of resource is rare in the US.
Geopressured Reservoirs: Brine saturated with
natural gas (overpressurized). This type of resource can
be used for both heat and for natural gas.

Different Geothermal Energy

Sources Contd
Normal Geothermal Gradient: At 20,000 feet the
temperature will be about 1900C, but no useful and
economical technology to extract this energy.
Hot Dry Rock: High Geothermal gradient brings high
temperatures near surface: ~400C/km. This type of
condition exists in 5% of the US.
Molten Magma: No technology exists to tap into the
heat reserves stored in magma directly. The best
sources for this in the US are in Alaska and Hawaii.
Yellowstone = steam or hot water heated by magma.

Linking sources and uses

Low Temperature Reservoirs:
Available almost anywhere on earth

Predominantly used for heating things (various

reasons)

Linking sources and uses contd

High Temperature Reservoirs:
Availability:
Where Earths crust is very thin
Suitable for Commercial Production of
Electricity
Power Plants Need High Capacity
Geothermal Reservoir Water / Steam
>220F (105C)
Greatest Potential for Energy Output

What Makes a Good Geothermal

Reservoir for Generating Electricity?

Hot Geothermal Fluids Near Surface (<1-2 mi.)

The hotter the better (>200F for electricity).
Proximity to Population Base (think transport)
Low Mineral and Gas Content (think equipment)
Proximity to Transmission Lines if producing
electricity

3 Types of GE Power Plants

DRY STEAM: steam moves through

turbine and condenses to form
water which acts as heat source

FLASH STEAM: extremely hot

water is turned or flashed into
steam from a decrease in pressure,
steam drives turbine to produce
heat energy

BINARY CYCLE: hot water goes

through heat exchanger, heats up
another fluid such as isobutane in a
closed loop system, second fluid
now boils at lower temperature than
hot water and turns to steam much
faster, steam drives turbine
=> most commonly used (steam =
rare)

http://www.txucorp.com/responsibilit
y/education/generation/geothermal.
aspx

http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/r
enewable_energy_basics/offmen-howgeothermal-energy-works.html

Geothermal Energy Plants

First resort, now plant.
Active geysers supply steam
or hot water for heating in
The Geysers, California
(824 MWe)
Hot, dry rock (HDR) offers
potential for injecting water
and using the resultant
steam to spin a turbine

www.eren.doe.gov/geothermal/ geysers20.html

Nearby Calistoga (started 1862) has

tourist spas with hot water from
springs; also palm reading, water
treatments, psychics, mud baths, etc.

Geothermal Plants Contd

The Geysers in CA
Opened in 1960
After 30 yrs. temp.
remains constant;
pressure drop from 3.3
to 2.3 MPa near wells
Output2700 MW;
enough for San
Francisco

Direct uses of geothermal energy is

appropriate for sources below 1500C

space heating
air conditioning
industrial processes
drying
Greenhouses
Aguaculture
hot water
resorts and pools
melting snow

House heating
Ground Heat Collectors (shallow)
This system uses horizontal loops filled
with circulating water at a depth of 80
to 160 cm underground.
Borehole Heat Exchange (deep)
This type uses one or two underground
vertical loops that extend 150 meters
below the surface.

Generation of Electricity is
appropriate for sources >150oC
Dry Steam Plants: These were the first type of plants
created. They use underground steam to directly turn
the turbines.

Using hot dry rocks

Binary system:
One injection well and two production
wells.
Hot rocks heat the water up.
Pressurized water > 2000F exchanges
heat with a lower boiling temperature,
liquid
Steam turns the turbines.

Cool water is reinjected.

Very low emissions. Future of
geothermal industries

Outlook
Short Term:
Not a viable option to replace large
part of oil imports. Perhaps 2-10%
replaced in a few years - decade.
Long Term (Likely Decades):
With new technology capture more of
the Joules coming out theres enough
for everyone.

Use and change

Contrast quantity
year over year
between US and
Central Americas

Benefits
Emission of Low
Quantities of
Greenhouse
Gasses

Decreases
Dependency On
Foreign Energy

Benefits Contd
Reliability:
Plants Have Very
Little Down Time Avg. Availability is
90% or greater
60-70% for Coal and
Nuclear Plants

Room For Growth

Using todays
technology, approx.
6,500 MW available
(2800MW = 0.25% of
total energy)
Small advances
using known
reservoirs, approx.
18,900 MW available

How to grow?
Tap into regular geotherm
U.S., Japan, England, France, Germany
and Others are developing; need to:
Improve drilling
Enhance subsurface permeability
Think hydrocarbon approach and problem

Detect and sample prospective resources