Energy Resources: Geothermal Power

“Geothermal power

Is a way of generating heat and electricity from hot underground rocks. This form of power generation does not create pollution, and is renewable (as long as we do not extract too much, or the rocks cool down). However, we can only use this method to generate our power in certain places in the world, where suitable hot regions are near the surface.

Holes are drilled down to the hot region, and water is pumped down one. This water comes back up the other holes at a high temperature, usually much hotter than 100⁰C. Water can be a liquid above 100⁰C, so long as it’s under pressure. When it reaches the surface and the pressure is released, it “flashes” into steam, which we can use to heat houses, or to turn turbines and generate electricity. Sometimes there is hot water already underground

Plants such as soybeans and sunflowers produce oil, which can be used to make fuels.

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