The Geothermal Power Plant

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WELL TURBINE GENERATOR TRANSMSSION

1. At first the cold water is sent underground through pipes.2. The cold water is warmed and boiled without the need of

a furnace.3. A boiler is not needed and the steam is used to turn the

turbines.4. The generator produces electricity.5. It is then carted off to various homes and buildings.

How do the Power Plants generate electricity?

• All geothermal power plants use steam to turn large turbines, which run electrical generators. In the Geysers Geothermal area, dry steam from below ground is used directly in the steam turbines. In other areas of the state, super-hot water is "flashed" into steam within the power plant, and that steam turns the turbine..• Geothermal Electricity: To develop electricity from geothermal

resources, wells are drilled into a geothermal reservoir. The wells bring the geothermal water to the surface, where its heat energy is converted into electricity at a geothermal power plant (see below for more information about the different types of geothermal electricity production).

The Geothermal Power PlantMost power plants—whether fueled by coal, gas, nuclear power, or geothermal energy—have one feature in common: they convert heat to electricity. Heat from the Earth, or geothermal

Geo (Earth) + thermal (heat)energy is accessed by drilling water or steam wells in a process similar to drilling for oil.Geothermal power plants have much in common with traditional power-generating stations. They use many of the same components, including turbines, generators, transformers, and other standard power generating equipment.

How Does A Conventional Geothermal Reservoir Work?A geothermal system requires heat, permeability, and water. The heat from the Earth's core continuously flows outward. Sometimes the heat, as magma, reaches the surface as lava, but it usually remains below the Earth's crust, heating nearby rock and water — sometimes to levels as hot as 700°F. When water is heated by the earth’s heat, hot water or steam can be trapped in permeable and porous rocks under a layer of impermeable rock and a geothermal reservoir can form. This hot geothermal water can manifest itself on the surface as hot springs or geysers, but most of it stays deep underground, trapped in cracks and porous rock. This natural collection of hot water is called a geothermal reservoir.

Advantages of Geothermal Energy

1. It is a renewable source of energy.2. By far, it is non-polluting and environment friendly. 3. There is no wastage or generation of by-products.4. Geothermal energy can be used directly. In ancient times, people

used this source of energy for heating homes, cooking, etc.5. Maintenance cost of geothermal power plants is very less.6. Geothermal power plants don't occupy too much space and thus

help in protecting natural environment.7. Unlike solar energy, it is not dependent on the weather conditions.

Disadvantages of Geothermal Energy1. Only few sites have the potential of Geothermal Energy.2. Most of the sites, where geothermal energy is produced, are far from markets or

cities, where it needs to be consumed.3. Total generation potential of this source is too small.4. There is always a danger of eruption of volcano.5. Installation cost of steam power plant is very high.6. There is no guarantee that the amount of energy which is produced will justify the

capital expenditure and operations costs.7. It may release some harmful, poisonous gases that can escape through the holes

drilled during construction.

Top Ten countries that use Geothermal Energy1. USA2. Philippines3. Indonesia4. Mexico5. Italy6. New Zealand7. Iceland8. Japan9. El Salvador10. Kenya

Sources:http://energy.gov/eere/geothermal/how-geothermal-power-plant-works-simplehttp://www.electrical4u.com/power-plants-types-of-power-plant/http://energyalmanac.ca.gov/renewables/geothermal/types.htmlhttp://www.electrical4u.com/power-plants-types-of-power-plant/#Thermal-Power-Stationhttp://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/our-energy-choices/renewable-energy/how-geothermal-energy-works.html#.VVcbofmqqkohttp://www.energydigital.com/top10/2718/Top-Ten:-Geothermal-Energy-Locationshttp://www.ianswer4u.com/2012/02/geothermal-energy-advantages-and.html#axzz3aIqaUEi2