Geothermal+energy+-+Daiki

=__Geothermal Energy__  = __How it Works__ Geothermal Energy works by collecting the steam from underground by drilling rock that warms the water. These water can then be purified and used by the power turbines to produce electricity.

Geothermal Energy can also be used directly by using the steam that rises from the underground. They can be used as heating buildings, food, greenhouse, etc.

Dry Steam - Dry steam plant uses steam from underground to rotate a turbine, which activates a generator to create electricity. In this case, there is no need to have an additional boilers and boiler fuels.

Flash Steam - This is the most common type of geothermal power plant. This needs to use the water, which is hotter than 360˚F. When the hot water is released from the pressure, it is collected in a flash tank where the liquid is flashed to steam. This will be used to run the turbines.

Binary Steam - The hot water, which is around 100˚F is passed to a heat exchanger where it is mixed with hydrocarbons with lower boiling point. This mixture vapour and its steam runs the turbine.



__A Particular Example from around the World__ Japan is the world’s largest user of direct geothermal heat, because Japan has been volcanically active over the past 20 million years. Direct geothermal heat in Japan is used as bathing, heating the room, manufacturing and agriculture.

United States generates the most geothermal electricity. In the west part of United States, hundreds of buildings are heated by geothermal electricity. Also, large greenhouse and aquaculture facilities in Arizona, Idaho, New Mexico, and Utah use low temperature geothermal waters.

Eastern Europe countries uses geothermal energy for swimming pools, greenhouses and health spas. These Medium-temperature geothermal aquifers exist beneath almost all of Hungary, so wells can usually be located wherever heat is needed.

__The Energy Changes Involved__ As I said, Geothermal Energy comes from the steam, which is warmed by the rock under the surface. This is the heat energy, which is from the heat. This heat energy can be used to warm the building. But this heat energy can be transferred and can be made into electrical energy.

__Facts and Figures about the Source__ __The Environmental Effects__ Firstly, extracting geothermal energy can reduce the pressure in the underground. This often cause the land to sink. As the ground sinks, things like pipeline, building and roads can be damaged. Secondly, Geothermal Energy contain unsafe things for the humans and animals. If these things are released to rivers or lakes, they can damage aquatic life and make the water unsafe for drinking. Thirdly, Geothermal fluids contain dissolved gases which are released into the atmosphere. The main toxic gases are carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide. These gases are hazardous for people working at geothermal stations and can be a big problem in urban areas.
 * 1) Most Geothermal Energy is found near the plate boundaries where earthquake and volcanoes occur. These places are called the Ring of Fire,which encircles the Pacific ocean. This is because Ring of Fire is where volcano occurs, which creates magma. This magma heats ground water found trapped in porous rock or water running along rock surfaces and faults.
 * 2) Most Geothermal Energy is found in the West. Most of the Geothermal Energy are located in the West part of the US.
 * 3) Geothermal Energy is called renewable energy source, because the water is cycling by the rain and the heat is continuously produced by the sun.
 * 4) For every 100 metres you go below ground, the temperature of rock increases about 3 degrees Celsius.
 * 5) Geothermal Energy helps developing the countries grow. Geothermal power plant can offer lots of benefits to help developing countries grow without creating pollution. It can also raise the standard of living and quality of live.
 * 6) There are three types of geothermal plants:

__Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantage__ __Disadvantage__
 * 1) It’s clean. Energy can be extracted without using fossil fuels such as coal, gas or oil. Also, Geothermal Energy only produces ⅙ of carbon dioxide.
 * 2) Geothermal Energy is available 24 hours a day.
 * 3) Geothermal Energy produces less carbon dioxide, reducing our dependance on oil.
 * 4) Geothermal Energy is an unlimited resource, which is produced in the Earth’s core.
 * 5) The cost of a land to build a geothermal power plant is usually less expensive than building oil or nuclear station. This is because Geothermal Energy needs less land.
 * 1) Location of Geothermal Energy is limited and low number. It needs to be a place that has suitable hot rocks at a depth that allows for easy drilling.
 * 2) Even though oil is easy to transport, Geothermal Energy can’t be transported as easy as oil.
 * 3) Geothermal Energy can only be used to generate small amount of electricity.
 * 4) Hazardous gases and minerals often come up from underground along with the steam. They are extremely difficult to dispose it.
 * 5) There are volcanic activity and earthquakes near the extracting site, so it is really dangerous.