Geothermal Energy

Valerie

·        What is geothermal energy?

·        What states generate the most?

·        Where are the geothermal resources?

Geothermal energy is the heat from the Earth. It's clean and sustainable. Resources of geothermal energy range from the shallow ground to hot water and hot rock found a few miles beneath the Earth's surface, and down even deeper to the extremely high temperatures of molten rock called magma.  Some geothermal power plants use the steam from a reservoir to power a turbine, while others use the hot water to boil a fluid that vaporizes and then turns a turbine. Hot water near the surface of Earth can be used directly for heat.

The most active geothermal resources are usually found along major plate boundaries where earthquakes and volcanoes are formed. Most of the geothermal activity in the world occurs in an area called the Ring of Fire. This area borders the Pacific Ocean.

In the United States, many of the geothermal resources are found in the western states, such as Alaska, and Hawaii. In the United States, the state that generates the most electricity from geothermal energy is California. The Geysers dry steam reservoir in northern California has been producing electricity since 1960. 

Pros:

*        Geothermal plants emit 97% less acid rain.

Cons:

*        Geothermal features in Yellowstone National, such as geysers, are protected by law, to prevent the land from being disturbed.

*        Carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) and hydrogen sulfide are released by geothermal plants despite the absence of fuel burning processes.

*        Many geothermal reservoirs are located in sensitive wilderness areas that should not be disturbed.