What is geothermal energy?

Geothermal comes from a Greek word Geo (earth) and Thermal (heat). This energy is heat inside the earth. Earth is very hot inside. Geothermal energy plants use geothermal energy to make electric power. Geothermal energy is heat deep underground that can be used to produce electricity. It is also electricity that can be called geothermal power.

Where is geothermal energy found?

Most geothermal reservoirs are deep underground with no clues showing above ground.
Geothermal energy sometimes finds its way to the surface in the form of volcanoes, hot springs, and geysers. Most of the geothermal reservoirs in the U.S are located in the western states and Hawaii. Most active geothermal resources are usually found along important plates of boundaries where earthquakes and volcanoes are concentrated. Most of the geothermal activities in the world occur in an area called the Ring of Fire. It encircles the Pacific Ocean.

How do we use geothermal energy?

The three main uses of geothermal energy are:

1. Direct use and district heating systems use of hot waters from hot springs or reservoirs near the surface.

2. Electricity generation power plants require water or steam at very high temperature. Geothermal power plants are built where geothermal reservoirs are located within a mile or two from the surface.

3. Geothermal heat pumps use stable ground or water temperatures near the Earth’s surface to control building temperatures above the ground.

Ancient Romans, Native Americans, Chinese cultures used hot mineral springs for bathing, heating and cooking.

Is geothermal energy renewable or nonrenewable source?

Geothermal energy is a renewable energy source because the heat is continuously produced in the earth's core. The hot water that we use could be replaced with rain water. The heat in the earth will always be there and heat is made everyday in the earth’s core. This means we will never run out of it.

How has it changed since the past?

Nothing has really changed because we still use geothermal energy for bathing, cooking and heating our house. We will never run out of geothermal energy because it is a renewable source.

Is Geothermal Energy useful or not useful?

Geothermal energy is useful because without it we would not have hot water and we would not be warm in our houses. We would not have any warm food without this source of heat.

Is it connected to any other energy topic?

Geothermal energy is connected to nuclear energy. It is connected to nuclear energy because most energy that heats the earth’s core such as high temperature comes from nuclear reaction taking place there.