David
Joined: 12 Feb 2005
Posts: 13
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| Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2005 4:57 am Post subject: What is Geothermal Energy? |
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Geothermal energy uses hot water or steam from the earth’s crust to heat water or buildings, or power turbines. There is a large amount of energy in the Earth's crust. A great example of this energy is the lava that flows from a volcano. If the local conditions meet certain criteria, geothermal facilities can be installed. These facilities capture steam as it escapes from cracks or holes in underground rocks. Geothermal energy requires a source temperature of more than 100°C to drive a generating turbine.
Hot water from within the earth can heat buildings with no conversion. The famous hot springs in Banff, Alberta are an example of geothermal direct heat at a resort.
Geothermal energy is used widely in the Philippines, Italy, Indonesia, Mexico, New Zealand, Japan and China. Iceland relies on geysers as its principal source of heat. Several northern communities around the world circulate this type of heated water through pipes under roads to melt ice from the pavement, and the water is also used in aquaculture, car washes and similar applications. |
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