IGCSE Science, Double-Award, Physics O-Level

1. The Geothermal
Power Plant
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GRADE
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4. • 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).

6. The Geothermal Power Plant
Geo (Earth) + thermal (heat)
turbines
generators transformers

8. How Does A Conventional Geothermal Reservoir
Work?

10. 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.

12. Disadvantages of Geothermal Energy
1. 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.

13. Top Ten countries that use Geothermal Energy
1. USA
2. Philippines
3. Indonesia
4. Mexico
5. Italy
6. New Zealand
7. Iceland
8. Japan
9. El Salvador
10. Kenya

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