Geothermal energy uses hot water found underground to generate electricity. It works by drilling wells into hot areas with lots of hot water and using the steam to power turbines connected to electric generators. There are three main types of geothermal power plant designs: dry steam, flash steam, and binary systems. Dry steam plants use steam directly from reservoirs, while flash steam plants depressurize hot water to produce steam. Binary systems use hot water to heat a secondary fluid like isobutane that vaporizes to spin the turbines.

1. Geothermal Energy Honors Earth Science 2010-2011

2. What is it? Two Greek words in it geo means earth and thermal means heat Basically, it is using water heated within the earth and using it for energy.

3. How it works These are the steps to making geothermal energy: We drill holes into a hot area where there is a lot of hot water The steam from the water then climbs up into pipes that are used The water is then decontaminated and used to power the turbine in which it goes through The turbines, running on the steam then power electric generators which are used to power a place

4. Geothermal Power plants Designs There are three designs of geothermal power plants: Dry Steam: steam is goes into a turbine and then a condenser where it condenses to water Flash Steam: in order for the water to turn to steam, the water is depressurized, then it is used to power a generator Dry Steam Flash Steam

5. Geothermal Power plants Designs (continued) Binary System: the hot water is passed through a heat exchanger where the heat from the water is used to heat another liquid such as isobutane. Then the isobutane is heated a temperature where it can be easily transformed into steam. Binary System

6. Types of Loops Vertical Loop: This example is used when there is not a lot of land available. A drill then drills a 150-200 foot hole. A pipe is then inserted and the hole is then filled with a sealer. Horizontal Loop: This loop is used when there is a lot of land. Excavation material is used to dig 6-8 feet deep trenches that are 100 to 300 feet long

7. Types of Loops (Continued) Pond Loop: This is most common when there is a ½ acre wide and 8-10 foot deep body of water nearby. The pipe coils are most commonly 300 to 500 feet in length and are placed at the bottom of the water. Open Loop: This like the pond is used when there is a body of water around but in the open loop, there must be enough water to provide 4 to 8 gallons of water a minute. There must also be a discharge drain

8. Sources Works Cited Binary cycle. N.d.Union of Concerned Scientists. Union of Concerned Scientists, n.d. Web. 20 May 2011. <http://www.ucsusa.org/​clean_energy/​technology_and_impacts/​energy_technologies/​how-geothermal-energy-works.html>. Dry Steam. N.d.Union of Concerned Scientists. Union of Concerned Scientists, n.d. Web. 20 May 2011. <http://www.ucsusa.org/​clean_energy/​technology_and_impacts/​energy_technologies/​how-geothermal-energy-works.html>. Flash Steam. N.d.Union of Concerned Scientists. Union of Concerned Scientists, n.d. Web. 20 May 2011. <http://www.ucsusa.org/​clean_energy/​technology_and_impacts/​energy_technologies/​how-geothermal-energy-works.html>. Geothermal Energy. N.d.BBC. British Broadcasting Company, n.d. Web. 17 May 2011. <http://news.bbc.co.uk/​2/​hi/​uk_news/​england/​cornwall/​3937771.stm>. Geothermal Energy. N.d.DebatePedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 May 2011. <http://debatepedia.idebate.org/​en/​index.php/​Debate:_Geothermal_energy>. Geothermal Energy. N.d.Going Eco Green. GoingEcoGreen, n.d. Web. 17 May 2011. <http://www.goingecogreen.com/​go-green-videos/​geothermal-energy/>. Renew Mechanical Inc. “Geothermal Energy.” Renew Mechanical Inc.N.p., 2010. Web. 24 May 2011. <http://www.renewmechanical.com/​geo_energy.htm>. Union of Concerned Scientists. “How Geothermal Energy Works .” Union of Concerned Scientists . Union of Concerned Scientists, 16 Dec. 2009. Web. 20 May 2011. <http://www.ucsusa.org/​clean_energy/​technology_and_impacts/​energy_technologies/​how-geothermal-energy-works.html>. U.S. Department of Energy. “How a Geothermal Power Plant Works (Simple).” U.S. Department of Energy The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. U.S. Department of Energy The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, n.d. Web. 11 Apr. 2006. U.S. Energy Information Administration. “Renewable Geothermal.” Energy Kids. U.S. Energy Information Administration, n.d. Web. 17 May 2011. <http://www.eia.doe.gov/​kids/​energy.cfm?page=geothermal_home-basics>.