1. RON DIPPIPO CHAPTER 21 ENERGY FROM THE EARTH

2. SUMMARY Ron Dippipo, geothermal energy consultant, Describes the benefits of using renewable energy sources to generate electric power. Explains how conventional fossil fuel – burning power plants work, focusing on how convection currents cause the turbine blades to spin. Compares the efficiency of geothermal power plants and fossil fuel – burning power plants.

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4. BURNING POWER PLAINTS Most power plants generate electricity by burning a fossil fuel – natural gas, coal, or oil – to heat water. The water boils and turns into steam The steam then used to turn a steam turbine, which drives a generator.

5. CONVECTION Is energy transfer due to fluid motion

6. GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANTS eliminate the need for burning fossil fuels altogether by using steam and hot water from geothermal wells.

7. QUESTION 1 Question Why are there so few geothermal power plants in the US? Answer There are not very many areas in the US where there are active geothermal wells.

8. QUESTION 2 Question According to Ron, what are some of the benefits of geothermal power plants? Answer More efficient Cheaper Little or no pollution

9. QUESTION 3 Question What’s the basic difference between burning power plants and geothermal power plants? Answer Burning power plaints burns a fossil fuel – natural gas, coal, or oil – to make steam to spin a turbine. Geothermal power plants don’t have to burn anything to make steam. They get right out of the earth!

10. QUESTION 4 Question Why is convection critical to the function of a steam turbine? Answer Convection currents cause the blades of a turbine to spin. The spinning fan blades drive the electrical generator.

11. QUESTION 5 Question Why are geothermal power plants usually more efficient than fossil fuel – burning power plants? Answer Energy is lost every time it is transferred. Geothermal plants require fewer transfer so there is less energy lost to combustion.