Geothermal Energy Essay - 4754 Words

Geothermal Energy The human population is currently using up its fossil fuel supplies at staggering rates. Before long we will be forced to turn somewhere else for energy. There are many possibilities such as hydroelectric energy, nuclear energy, wind energy, solar energy and geothermal energy to name a few. Each one of these choices has its pros and cons. Hydroelectric power tends to upset the ecosystems in rivers and lakes. It affects the fish and wild life population. Nuclear energy is a very controversial subject. Although it produces high quantities of power with relative efficiency, it is very hard to dispose of the waste. While wind and solar power have no waste products, they require enormous amounts of land†¦show more content†¦The continental crust consists of igneous and sedimentary rocks. The oceanic crust consists of the same with a substantial layer of sediments above the rock. The crust covers the outer ridged layer of the earth called the lithosphere. The lithosphere is divided into seven main continental plates. These continental plates are constantly moving on a viscous base. The viscosity of this base is a function of the temperature. The study of shifting continental plates is called Plate Tectonics. Plate Tectonics allows scientists to locate regions of geothermal heat emission. Shifting continental plates cause weak spots or gaps between plates where geothermal heat is more likely to seep through the crust. These gaps are called Subduction Zones. Heat emission from subduction zones can take many forms, such as volcanoes, geysers and hot springs. When lateral plate movement induced gaps occur between plates, collisions occur between other plates. This results in partial plate destruction. This causes mass amounts of heat to be produced due to frictional forces and the rise of magma from the mantle through propagating lithosphere fractures and thermal plumes sometimes resulting in volcanism. During plate movement, continental plates are constantly being consumed and produced changing plat e boundaries. When collisions between plates occur, the crust is pushed up sometimes forming ranges of mountains. This is the way that mostShow MoreRelatedGeothermal Energy Essay1270 Words   |  6 Pages Geothermal Energy In todays world, we are stuck in a constant debate about efficient energy usage and production. Many have gone to alternative fuel sources do to the rising cost of fossil fuels and the environmental damage caused by the burning of fossil fuels. One option that goes largely unexplored is geothermal energy. Geothermal energy is not only a much more environmentally-friendly power source than fossil fuels, but the cost of installation is not significantly more expensive than theRead MoreGeothermal Energy And Natural Energy1118 Words   |  5 Pagesvery hot pools, known as geothermal reservoirs. Scientists have discovered that we can harness energy from this natural heat source and use it for our benefit. Electricity, agriculture, aquaculture are just the basic ways that geothermal energy is used. There are also many creative and helpful uses for it, such as in spas or thawing ice on roads. So what exactly is geothermal energy and how does it work? The project we have carried out answer s these exact questions. This energy source is one of greatRead MoreEssay on Geothermal Energy1047 Words   |  5 PagesThroughout the years electricity has become a source of energy that cannot seem to be replaced; however there are many different alternatives to this source of energy. One specific alternative is geothermal energy, which might be just as effective as electricity, but much less harmful to the environment. Electricity, although very helpful, produces fuels that might be harming not only our world, but our human society. To power electricity we must use fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gasRead MoreAdvantages And Disadvantages Of Geothermal Energy1516 Words   |  7 PagesSUBMITTED FOR Energy Studies INTRODUCTION In the present scenario , ENERGY has become the most important part of our daily life requirements . It is used so extensively in our day to day life that we , at many times , do not even realise that it is being used. Thus, for all our works , energy is required in large quantities . But the big question which arises is , from where to get the energy.There are several sources and a wide variety of methods to fulfill our demands by producing energy . Being humansRead MoreRenewable Energy : Geothermal Energy2410 Words   |  10 PagesGeothermal Energy Concern over the end of nonrenewable resources has increasingly grown in the population over the recent decades. Hydrocarbons, specifically oil and gas, are being depleted rapidly. According to imeche.org, only 1.3 trillion barrels of attainable oil remain. At the current rates of consumption, that equivocates to around 2055 when oil should just about be depleted. (imeche.org, 2014) Recent advances in oilfield technology continue to push back the date of annihilation of these resourcesRead MoreGeothermal Energy Essay729 Words   |  3 PagesGEOTHERMAL ENERGY Geothermal energy is one of the oldest sources of energy. It is simply using and reusing (reusable energy) heat from the inside of the earth. Most of the geothermal energy comes from magma, molten or partially molten rock. Which is why most geothermal resources come from regions where there are active volcanoes. Hot springs, geysers, pools of boiling mud, and fumaroles are the most easily exploited sources. The ancient Romans used hot springs to heat baths and homes, andRead MoreGeothermal Energy Is A Kind Of Energy1967 Words   |  8 PagesIntroduction Geothermal energy is a kind of energy that provided by the heat of our planet, the Earth. The cost of geothermal energy is low, and it is reliable and friendly to the environment, but is limited to some specific areas. Recent technology development has greatly expanded the range and size of geothermal energy resources. Now the geothermal energy can be also used for applications such as home heating, which add use potential for the resource. Although, tapping geothermal energy will releaseRead MoreGeothermal Energy Conversion Technology 2520 Words   |  10 Pages Geothermal Energy Conversion Technology This paper is divided into 4 sections covering all major aspects of Geothermal Conversion Technology: †¢ Geothermal Fluid †¢ Conversion Technologies †¢ Efficiency †¢ New Technology INTRODUCTION: Geothermal energy is the energy in the form of heat contained inside the earth. The origins of this heat are found in the formation of the earth from the consolidationRead MoreGeothermal Energy from the Earth966 Words   |  4 PagesGeothermal energy Energy from the Earth What could be more natural or plentiful? The source of geothermal power is the heat contained inside the Earth; heat so intense that it creates molten magma. There are a few different types of geothermal energy that can be tapped. Some geothermal systems are formed when hot magma near the surface (1,500 to 10,000 meters deep) directly heats groundwater. The heat generated from these hot spots flows outward toward the surface, manifesting as volcanoes, geysersRead More What is Geothermal Energy? An Overview Essay1739 Words   |  7 PagesWhat is Geothermal Energy? An Overview The term geothermal comes from the Greek geo meaning earth and therine meaning heat thus geothermal energy is energy derived from the natural heat of the earth. The heat that flows from the Earths hot interior due to crustal plate movements, zones of high heat flow, may be located close to the surface where convective circulation plays a signifcant role in bringing the heat close to the surface (World Bank Group, 2004). earth coreThe Earths crust