What is it?

 

Geothermal energy is energy obtained from the heat beneath the surface of the Earth. These systems consist of a collection pipe deep underground, a turbine, generator, and injection well.

 

 

How does it work?

 

The collection pipe extracts hot water from natural channels between rocks deep beneath the Earth's surface. This hot water is then further heated into steam. The steam is pushed through a turbine which drives a generator. The generator produces electricity that can be fed into the grid. The steam could also be used to supply heating for a house. The waste steam is moved to a cooling tower to convert it back to water. The cooled water is then reinjected deep beneath the surface to be reheated for extraction. 

 

 

Advantages:

 

• generate free electricity

• low emission

• constantly available supply

 

 

Disadvantages:

 

• generally requires larger scale operations

• pipes require continuous maintenance

• energy cannot be transferred over long distances