GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
Geothermal power plants derive energy from the heat of the earth’s interior. The average increase in temperature with depth of the earth is 10C for every 40m. At a depth of 10-15km, the earth’s interior is as hot as 1000-12000C. In certain areas of our planet, the underground heat has raised the temperature of water to over 2100C which bursts out as hot steam through the cracks in the earth’s crust. These are called thermal springs. Which can be utilized as the source of the electric energy
GEOTHERMAL SOURCES
The following five general categories of geothermal sources have been identified:
1. Hydrothermal convective system
2. Geo-pressure resources
3. Magma resources
4. Volcanoes sources
GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANTS
Geothermal wells are drilled at suitable locations, hot rock is obtained by drilling hole deep into the center of the earth, powering water down one of the hole and the water vaporized into steam comes out of the earth’s surface in a dry condition at around 210°C and 8 bar. The moisture is removed by a centrifugal separator and this steam will run the turbine coupled with a generator. Steam is condensed in a condenser and re injected back into the ground by a rejection well.
ADVANTAGES OF GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
- Geothermal energy is cheaper and economic energy source used in many parts of the world
- Used as space heating for buildings
- is renewable energy
- Used as industrial process heat
- provide clean and safe energy, geothermal is a relatively pollution-free energy resource derived from naturally occurring reservoirs of hot water or steam that occur below the earth’s surface and is tapped to drive a turbine to create electricity
DISADVANTAGES OF GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
- Low efficiency
- Large area required for exploitation
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