Geothermal Energy

What is Geothermal Energy? Geothermal Energy is heat from the Earth. The heat comes from hot water, molten rock, and/or magma in the Earth's crust.

Facts about the energy Renewable Sustainable Clean Hot springs are heated by Geothermal Energy Used to power about 1% of the Earth's electricity Can be used to cheaply control temperature

How it works... Geothermal energy can be used to provide electricity, home heating/cooling, and hot springs. When used to heat a building, people drill holes into the ground to get the hot water (the farther down you get, the hotter it is). If the water is close to or surrounded by magma, the water will be even hotter. After drilling the hole the heated water is pumped through a tube and generated into steam, which then powers a turbine and a generator, creating electricity. The steam is then condensed back to water so that it can be pumped back into the ground to be reused.

Pros and Cons Pros No mining (for fuel) required Virtually Infinite Supply Doesn't harm land as much as other sources of power Can be built underground Almost entirely emission-free Cons Sites for building are very specific Major water usage Minimum temperature of 350 degrees fahrenheit needed Drilling into heated rock is very difficult Sulfur dioxide and silica emissions

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