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ch5 Geothermal

The document discusses geothermal energy, including its global output in 2015, energy stored underground, top countries for geothermal power generation, and potential by region. It also covers geothermal power generation technology, applications beyond power like heating and industrial uses, and factors that affect costs and potential environmental effects.

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indrapal kumar
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28 views7 pages

ch5 Geothermal

The document discusses geothermal energy, including its global output in 2015, energy stored underground, top countries for geothermal power generation, and potential by region. It also covers geothermal power generation technology, applications beyond power like heating and industrial uses, and factors that affect costs and potential environmental effects.

Uploaded by

indrapal kumar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Geothermal Energy

• The world’s geothermal energy output in 2015 was reported to be around 75 TWh
• total energy stored approximately 3 kilometers beneath the earth’s surface to be roughly 43
million EJ
• The top five countries with the highest total geothermal generating capacity for electrical
power are the United States (3.6 GW), Philippines (1.93 GW), Indonesia (1.46 GW),
Mexico (1.1 GW), and New Zealand (0.979 GW).
• North America has the highest geothermal resource potential of approximately 21% of the
world’s available resources. This was followed by Asia at a similar 21% resource potential.
Eastern Europe (17%), South America (14%), and Africa (13%) follow. Other countries,
mostly in the Pacific Islands, represent less than 10% of the world’s resource potential.
• Technically speaking, it is tricky to classify geothermal energy as renewable because it
concerns the cooling of the earth, which in itself not a reversible process. There is no way
to replenish geothermal energy once it is used. However, energy is continually produced
from the decay of naturally radioactive materials, such as uranium and potassium. Solar
energy is a temporal resource and cannot be used for this purpose. The amount of energy
currently being removed is very small compared to the magnitude of geothermal resources
available. At least for practical purposes, geothermal energy may be considered a
renewable energy resource.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCRDf7QxjDk&ab_channel=U.S.DepartmentofEnergy
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Geothermal Energy

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• Satellite imagery and aerial
photography
• Volcanological studies
• Geologic and structural mapping
• Geochemical surveys
• Geophysical surveys
• Temperature gradient hole drilling

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Geothermal power cycle

the steam coming from the bore hole is first


processed through a heat exchanger. This pre-
treatment process ensures that relatively dry
superheated steam is injected into the blades of the
turbine. This device will remove some mineralized
water to ensure that clean gas is introduced to the
turbine blade section. A degasifier is also installed
to remove or discharge properties not suitable for
entry into the turbine blade section. The liquid
portion, which is already demineralized, is
introduced back into the heat exchanger, where
some portion is heated further and allowed to enter
the turbine blades. At the back end of the turbine,
the used steam is condensed to capture harmful
substances entrained through the gases. The
product is collected in the wastewater treatment
facility. Excess gases are also extracted for other
uses not associated with the power plant. Cooling
water is required in this section.

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applications
• Space heating and cooling:
Electrical power is still the foremost application of geothermal heat. However, the conversion efficiency of
electrical power is low compared to other applications. The first is space heating and cooling. Before
discovering the great benefit of geothermal energy, Reykjavik, Iceland, was so dependent on fossil fuels
that the town’s environmental conditions were dismal. Today, the Reykjavik Municipal Heating Project, a
geothermal energy–based project, serves 97% of a population of 113,000. Many countries or states should
emulate this highly successful and environmentally positive renewable energy program.
• Industrial applications:
reheating, washing, cooking, blanching, peeling, evaporation, drying, and refrigeration. Industrial product
processing requires enormous amounts of thermal energy, and a geothermal resource could be an
economical option, depending on proximity.
• Sale of by-products:
The by-products of geothermal wells include minerals such as boron, calcium chloride, silica, and zinc.
Many other compounds are found in geothermal wells, but most are considered too harmful to be
recovered.
• Agricultural applications:
Greenhouses, including huge confined or concentrated animal house facilities, may be heated by
geothermal heat. The aquaculture industry can also benefit from geothermal heat in many arid regions. Soil
warming is a common practice of some agricultural farms, especially for growing mushrooms and other
specialty crops. Anaerobic digestion or biogas production requires heated reactors, especially if using
thermophilic organisms.

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Factors Affecting Geothermal Power Plant Cost

a. Plant size
b. Technology used
c. Resource reliability
d. Nature of resource (temperature)
e. Geothermal water components
f. Depth and permeability
g. Tax incentives in state of country
h. Environmental issues
i. Market of end product
j. Financing options

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Environmental effects of Geothermal power systems

a. Land use
b. Water quality
c. Subsidence
d. Air pollution (noxious sulfuric gases, arsenic, hydrogen sulfide, etc.)
e. Heat rejection
f. Effect on hot springs

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