Transcript Geothermal energy

Manufacturing Engineering
Introduction to Geothermal Energy
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2014. All rights reserved.
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Bell Work Activity
Answer the following questions on a sheet of paper.
1. Identify three uses for steam.
2. What advantages would steam energy have over
fossil fuel energy?
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2014. All rights reserved.
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Warm-Up Activity
Terms
There are several important terms and definitions
students need to know.
1. Complete Introduction to Geothermal Energy Terms
and Definitions.
2. Students may work in groups.
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2014. All rights reserved.
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Overview
- Our planet is an orbiting ball of energy. Sunlight acts as a heat
source for our planet and makes it possible for animal and plant life
to survive. Heat from the earth’s core plays an important roll in the
life of our planet as well.
- Scientists have determined that the earth’s inner core may be as
hot as 4000 degrees Fahrenheit.
Crust
The Earth
Mantle
Outer Core
Inner Core
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Overview
- Large bodies of water exist within the earth’s crust. Magma
(hot liquid rock) from the mantle interacts with the water and
can escape through cracks and create hot springs and geysers.
Heat from the earth is called geothermal heat or energy and
has been used by humans since ancient times.
- Geothermal energy is clean, sustainable, and accessible.
However, we can only access it efficiently by drilling. The drilling
process can be expensive in the beginning but the costs are
recovered later.
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2014. All rights reserved.
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Harnessing Geothermal Energy
Geothermal Energy can be harnessed in several ways.
- Electrical power plants
Heat from the earth can be used to create steam to drive turbinedriven generators. A variety of configurations have been created to
harness this renewable resource.
- Heat pump systems
These are used to capture the heat from the earth for distribution
to residential and commercial buildings. The energy is used to heat
and cool homes; support greenhouses; cook; and heat water, spas,
and aquaculture (fish farming).
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2014. All rights reserved.
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Geothermal Reservoir
.
Rainwater
Rainwater
Hot Water
Hot Rock
Hot Rock
Magma
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