Geyser activity is caused by surface water gradually seeping down through the ground until it meets rock heated by magma. The geothermally heated water then rises back toward the surface by convection through porous and fractured rocks.
Geothermal energy works by using the steam and hot water from under ground pools of water being heated by magma from the earth's crust.
There a currently over 80 countires that have geothermal plants according to the Geothermal Energy Assiciation.
The Geothermal Energy Association is a US trade organization in favour of the expansion of usage of geothermal energy around the world.
In the past geothermal energy was only avaliable in places where hot water flowed to the surface, but with advancements
in this field we are able the leverage even more of this natural resource.
Geotheremal energy includes energy created by power plants and also energy created by heating pipes.
There are 3 types of geothermal energy plants:
Dry steam power:
The most common type of geothermal power plantss are the dry steam plant. They work by piping hot steam from under ground reserves to drive turbines which create electrical energy.
Flash steam power:
Unlike dry steam plants, flash geothermal plants work by pumping hot water from the underground into a tank on the surface. The water 'flashes' or in other words it becomes steam. The steam produced powers turbines. When the steam condenses its returned back to the earth.
Binary steam power:
Binary steam plants work by using two types of fluid, giving it the name Binary. How water is piped from the underground. The water goes through a heat exchanger where it heats a second fluid(with a lower boiling point than water) turning it into steam that powers turbines. The water used in the process gets returned back to the earth.
In all three cases energy is created by tubines and the water used is recycled back to the earth.
Geothermal energy is a great source of renewable energy. The benefits include low emisions, small physical footprint and minimal enviormental impact.'
Geothermal energy could also be used to recycle waste water.
→ Today, geothermal energy is used in more than 24 countries around the world.
→ Geothermal energy is more than 2,000 years old and is believed to be first used in China.
→ By 2050, U.S. geothermal plants could supply the country with 10% of its electricity.
→ Iceland is home to many volcanoes, hot springs, and geysers; 87% of the country’s homes are heated using geothermal energy.
→ Geothermal pump systems can be used to both heat and cool your home, thanks to the insulating properties of the Earth.