Renewable Energy: The Causes And Uses Of Geothermal Energy

Anne Marie C. Trinidad Term Paper

162325 AB Economics Ms. Soma Chakraborty

CH1 – G 22 Nov 16

Geothermal Energy Heat from the earth is used in many ways as an energy source such as found in large complex power station (see figure 1.1) and in small and simple pumping systems (see figure 1.2). This heat is known as the geothermal energy that can be found almost anywhere from the deep wells of Indonesia to the dirt in our backyards (Union of Concerned Scientists).

Figure 1.1 Complex Geothermal Power Station Figure 1.2 Simple Pumping System

(Binary Cycle System)

The heat that is all used up is only steam and not hot water. They use an evaporative water-cooling process to make a vacuum that pulls the steam through turbine that efficiently produces power. However, this kind of process loses 60-80 percent of the steam to the air as it evaporates (Union of Concerned Scientists). In most cases, geothermal energy has been used for cooking and simply heating (Environmental Protection Agency). In the industrial work areas, geothermal energy, in the form of hot water, is used to heat buildings, raise plants in greenhouses, dry out fishband crops, de-ice roads, improve oil recovery, pasteurize milk, heat spas and water fish farms (Union of Concerned