How Does Geothermal Energy Work?

Steve D Evans asked: How does geothermal energy work is a good question, and one which I have often been asked. In this article I must first explain what it is, and then how it can be made to work for man. Geothermal energy is, literally, the heat of the earth. The heat itself derives from radioactive decay beneath the earth’s surface and, in certain locations, it is concentrated enough and is close enough to surface waters to be brought to the surface by local geological features. Geo-energy was once thought of as nothing but a thing to wonder at, but it is thought of very differently, now, and is considered by many as one of the most promising forms of renewable energy. It is a renewable energy source because the hot water which conveys it is replenished by rainfall and the heat it brings with it is continuously produced inside the earth. The great thing about it is that as a form of energy it is versatile and reliable and it produces electricity which generally produces none of the greenhouse gases associated with the combustion of fossil fuels. So, geothermal energy is the power which can be generated by the harnessing of the heat beneath the Earth’s surface. Deep wells are usually used to pipe steam and hot water from deep within the Earth, up to the surface. Geothermal heat comes from the magma in the earth’s core, and that itself is heated by the radioactive decay of uranium, thorium, and potassium present in the core. Geothermal energy is present everywhere beneath the Earth’s surface, although the highest temperature, and thus the most desirable, resources are concentrated in regions of active or geologically young volcanoes. Though the resource is thermal energy rather than a physical substance such as gold or coal, many aspects of geothermal energy are analogous to characteristics of mineral and fossil-fuel resources. Geothermal energy works for us when, for example, is used as to warm the water in fishing farms. The water is heated, and the warmth makes it more possible for alligators, tropical fish, and other types of fish to grow in seasons and places where they wouldn’t normally. There are some limitations to it as a form of energy. Unfortunately, the best geothermal resources are concentrated in areas of volcanic activity and are not widely distributed. The earth’s centre is a distance of approximately 4000 miles from the surface and is so hot that it is molten, but when the heat does not rise to the surface it is too far to drill down to the center. When used in a power station geothermal heat from the hot water from the well causes a “secondary fluid” to turn into vapor, which as it expands drives the turbines to produce electricity. Since the technology used in a binary-cycle geothermal power plant is a closed-loop system, nothing is emitted to the atmosphere. After turning the turbine generator, the working fluid is condensed back into liquid, which is repeatedly vaporized by the geothermal heat in a continuing cycle. Dry steam and flash steam power plants do emit low levels of carbon dioxide, nitric oxide, and sulfur, although reportedly at only roughly 5% of the levels emitted by fossil fuel power plants. However, geothermal plants can be built with emissions-controlling systems that can inject these substances back into the earth, thereby reducing carbon emissions reportedly to less than 0.1% of those from fossil fuel power plants. Dry steam plants are used when the rock is very hot. They take steam out of fractures in the ground and use it to directly drive a turbine that spins a generator. Flash plants take hot water, usually under pressure and at temperatures over twice the normal boiling point of water, out of the ground. They allow it to boil as it rises to the surface then separates the steam phase in steam/water separators and then run the steam through a turbine. The turbine also turns a generator, and from that comes the electrical power. Temperatures in the Central Texas hydrothermal aquifers range from about 90 degrees Fahrenheit to 160 degrees F at depths from 500 to 5,000 feet. Historically these waters have seen some application in spas and therapeutic baths, but might also be developed for geothermal winter heating if used with heat pumps. If you were to ask the average Icelander; “How Does Geothermal Energy Work”. He would probably say; “very reliably” and, “our country shows how it can work very well”. Iceland takes advantage of its incredible geological structure to use geothermal power to their advantage. Recently, it has been reported that 17% of Iceland’s total electricity production comes from geothermal energy. Iceland has reached uniquely high levels in the utilization of geothermal energy, but the resource could be better utilized globally. Iceland is very lucky when it comes to energy as it gets almost all of the rest of its electricity from Hydro-power dams. Energy from geothermal sources today has been said to amount to less than 0.1 percent of the global world use. Currently in the US, the author understands that, only four states generate electricity from geothermal resources. In total, this provides electricity for about 3.7 million people. Water 4 Gas Read more on How Does Geothermal Energy Work?… Subscribe to the comments for this post? Share this on del.icio.us Digg this! 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How Does Geothermal Energy Work?

Book A Boiler Service If You Have Central Heating

Do you have central heating? You’d probably be lost without it, and many people feel strongly that their central heating is an integral part of their home life. Anyone that is fortunate enough to have central heating will need to follow this piece of advice from the experts – get your boiler serviced before winter strikes. Central Heating Sheffield – Fewer Boiler Services Homes in Sheffield and across the North are hotspots for central heating suppliers to work, but there are dwindling numbers of people that are getting their central heating system checked. The central heating Sheffield engineers say that there are fewer people calling up for a boiler service these days. Of course, if you haven’t heard about the boiler explosions that still happen in the UK, you won’t be any the wiser, but the advice here is to get your boiler serviced before you end up in a similar situation. The Boiler Faults You Need To Be Aware Of Boiler faults can range from carbon monoxide leaks to burst pipes, and sometimes you won’t even know something is wrong until you head to the boiler to investigate. By this time though, it could be too late. Everyone should look into central heating maintenance and a boiler service is important. A boiler of any age can have something wrong with it, but you’re much more likely to have problems with older boilers. Remember that a boiler’s life expectancy isn’t classed as ‘forever’ so be sensible and get it replaced it needs be. Central heating companies will often suggest that you get the boiler replaced every 10 years. Some people ignore this advice and the consequences might come back to haunt them. There are still some people out there who don’t know what the best course of action is with their boiler. Some start playing around with the inner workings themselves, and this is not advised. Central heating systems can get very hot and this can pose a safety risk if you start trying to sort the problem yourself. Only professionals should be expected to delve deeper with a boiler problem. If you haven’t had your boiler checked in a while, heed the advice of the experts and get your entire central heating system properly checked. The advice detailed here is applicable to everyone, but especially those with central heating Sheffield . Read more on Book A Boiler Service If You Have Central Heating… Subscribe to the comments for this post? Share this on del.icio.us Digg this! Post this on Diigo Post on Google Buzz Add this to Mister Wong Share this on Mixx Share this on Reddit Stumble upon something good? Share it on StumbleUpon Share this on Technorati Tweet This!

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Book A Boiler Service If You Have Central Heating

Horse Barns – Key Aspects Of Building

This article is for those people who are looking for horse barns. If you are looking for a barn you probably know what you need it for. You know how many horses you are going to stable in it. And you know how big you want it to be. However, you might not know about the shape and the design of the barn. You should also think if a three sided shelter is enough for your horses. If you live in the northern area, then this is definitely not enough. In this case you will have to build a full sized horse barn to keep your horses warm and dry in winter. A three sided shelter is definitely the cheapest option to be built. And it is very functional too. Your horses will be protected from bad weather. All you need is locate it properly and choose the right size for it. For example, if you are building a shelter for two horses, it should be at least 12 on 24 feet large. Horses require some space to feel comfortable. Their territory means a lot to them and that is why each horse has to have its own territory. After a while you will be able to transform such a shelter into a small barn. Speaking about the roof of your horse barn you could go for metal. Corrugated iron is a good choice for small horse barns. This is a simple yet reliable material and it is perfect for those who are working on a simple building project. Roofing and flooring are important parts of your barn, so you need to think well before you choose the type of them. Your barn’s roof must keep the barn dry at any season. It should be able to withstand both sun and rain or even snow if you live in the North. The flooring should also be functional and durable. Some people begin with a dirt floor, but this is not a smart idea. Such floor gets too muddy. Concrete floor is another popular option. However, some horse owners think it is too hard. If you go for concrete floor it is recommended to put rubber mats over it. Stall mats are also available on the market and you will always be able to find the ones that fit your budget. An important thing is to get all required permits before starting to build your horse barns. Building codes differ from one area to another, so it is impossible to give any general recommendations. Just contact your local building department to find out what the building regulations are in your area. Otherwise you might face the necessity to take the whole structure down. If you searching for horse barns for sale at a good price, this horse barns site is waiting for you. It has a very nice product line with wide choice of really good offers. Exactly what a horse barns seeker needs. And don’t limit your chance to find more good offers. This is easy – we live in the world where information quickly enhances the quality of our life. Due to this if you are properly armed with the info in your topic you can rest assured that you will in any case find the solution to any bad situation. So, please make sure to get back to this blog on a regular basis or – best of all – sign up to its RSS. Thus you will have your hand on the pulse of the latest info updates here. Blogs can be helpful, you just need to know how to use the updated information from the site. Read more on Horse Barns – Key Aspects Of Building… Energy Tags: energy resources , clean energy

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Renewable Energy ‘Supergrid’ coming to Europe

UK’s energy and climate change minister, Lord Hunt shares his opinion, “We recognise that the North Sea has huge resources, we are exploiting those in the UK quite intensively at the moment. But there are projects where it might make sense to join up with other countries, so this comes at a very good Posted in: Economy , Industry , Politics

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Renewable Energy Supergrid coming to Europe

Do You Have Central Heating? Book A Boiler Service

Do you have central heating? You’d probably be lost without it, and many people feel strongly that their central heating is an integral part of their home life. With this in mind, there is some recent advice being issued to anyone that has central heating, and that is to make sure you get your boiler checked during the winter months, as unreported faults are on the rise. Central Heating Sheffield – People Are Forgetting To Get Their Boiler Serviced! Homes in Sheffield and across the North are hotspots for central heating suppliers to work, but there are dwindling numbers of people that are getting their central heating system checked. The central heating Sheffield suppliers have reported the decline and say that fewer people are calling up for an annual boiler service. In the light of recent boiler explosions that occur in homes up and down the country, it is vital that homeowners place sincere importance on getting their boiler checked. Boiler Dangers Boiler faults can range from carbon monoxide leaks to burst pipes, and sometimes you won’t even know something is wrong until you head to the boiler to investigate. By this time though, it could be too late. Everyone should look into central heating maintenance and a boiler service is important. Faults can occur at any time and if you have an old boiler you are more likely to find something goes wrong. Boilers don’t last forever and a good life expectancy of a boiler is about 20 years. Realistically, central heating companies will advise that you get the boiler replaced every 10 years so that you minimise the risk. Some people ignore this advice and the consequences might come back to haunt them. Research has shown that people are still unsure of how to take care of their central heating systems. It is fair to say that some take it upon themselves to investigate their boilers and this is very dangerous. Central heating systems can get very hot and this can pose a safety risk if you start trying to sort the problem yourself. When it comes to anything complicated like this, only the engineers should be the ones taking a look, not you, the homeowner. So, all in all, if you still haven’t had your boiler checked recently, follow the expert advice and book a boiler service in ASAP. The advice detailed here is applicable to everyone, but especially those with central heating Sheffield . Read more on Do You Have Central Heating? Book A Boiler Service… Energy Tags: solar power , alternative energy cheap alternative to solar power wind energy alternativeenergyhq com alternative energy

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North Dakota Electric Co-op completes a 115.5 MW wind farm

Basin Electric, an electricity cooperative in North Dakota, has completed the construction of its new 77 turbine, 115.5 MW wind farm. The Prairie Winds 1 farm is spread out across 30,000 acres of North Dakota – most of the turbines (which require about 1 acre apiece) are on farmland, and doesn’t impact farming that goes Related posts: Caithness Energy and General Electric to build largest U.S. wind farm in Oregon Minnesota Power adding wind transmission capacity Newest Wind Farm Opens in Pennsylvania

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North Dakota Electric Co-op completes a 115.5 MW wind farm

Top Ten UK Alternative Energy Projects

Solar Powered CIS Tower in Manchester The UKs top ten alternative energy projects have been named by the UK governments Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). They include offshore turbines in Kent, the solar-powered CIS tower in Manchester and a wave buoy in Cornwall. A target of supplying 10% of the UK’s electricity from renewable energy by 2010 has been set by the British government. The list includes three wind farms, three solar-power projects, and two examples of microgeneration, or projects with lower outputs. According to the government, the 30-turbine Kentish Flats wind farm has been described as “the Ferrari of the turbine world”. Black Law A in South Lanarkshire was one of the largest wind farms approved in the UK, and the Cefn Croes project near Aberystwyth the most powerful when it opened in June. The CIS tower in Manchester – the city’s tallest building – was on course to be the biggest user of solar panels in the UK. The biomass plant in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, was singled out for producing a “revolutionary new wood pellet bio fuel”, created by burning sawdust and woodchips. The wave buoy project off the north Cornwall coast was highlighted as a project that would “speed up the installation of one of the world’s first wave farms”. The site is being investigated as a possible wave hub location – an offshore electrical socket that would be connected to the national grid. Cornwall Wave Buoy Revolutionary Northern Ireland Biomass Plant

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Top Ten UK Alternative Energy Projects

Australia: Alternative Energy Grants

Geothermal Plant From geothermal power to better batteries, millions have been spent on alternative energy research grants in Australia, according to Rod Myer writing for The Age of Australia. The AUD $23 million (approximately $17 million) spent by the Australian Federal Government under the first tranche of its $100 million (US $73m) pledge to aid the alternative energy sector has highlighted innovations by local companies to cure Australia’s fossil fuel addiction. Two companies awarded grants under the Renewable Energy Development Initiative (REDI) have developed a no-emissions alternative for base-load generation. Geodynamics received $5 million grant to help develop its geothermal electricity plant near Innamincka in the north of South Australia. Scope Energy, another betting its future on geothermal energy, received $3.9 million grant to aid development. Its principal, Roger Massey-Greene, says the grant will help finance a drilling program of 500-metre deep holes to prove up its resource. Scope plans to open a 50-megawatt plant, but Mr Massey-Greene says he hopes to see this expand to 1000 MW in the longer term. Scope has a geographic advantage, he believes. Its site is near Millicent, in the south-east of South Australia, meaning it is close to transmission lines and the population centres of Melbourne and Adelaide. “We expect the cost to be very competitive with combined-cycle gas power plants,” Mr Massey-Greene said. Scope’s geothermal technology will tap hot water heated deep in the earth and run it through a heat exchanger to generate electricity. Mr Massey-Greene likens this process to a “fridge operating in reverse”. Geodynamics’ system will pump water through hot rocks and use the resulting steam to generate power. Scope’s wells will be as deep as 4.5 kilometres. The technology that Scope is planning has been in use at a plant in Italy that has operated for 101 years, Mr Massey-Greene said. Stage one of the plant is expected to cost $4 million per megawatt to construct, compared with about $750,000 for a combined-cycle gas plant. “But we have no fuel costs,” Mr Massey-Greene said. Geothermal plants run at an output of about 98 per cent of rated capacity. Mr Massey-Green believes geothermal power has a great future. In New Zealand it provides 7 per cent of power needs and this could rise to as much as 15 per cent. Some in the market believe that Scope will float in the first half of 2006. Melbourne-based Katrix will use its $811,000 Renewable Energy Development Initiative grant to further develop its new fluid expander that may enable solar energy to be harnessed for electricity. Founder Attilio Demichelli says the expander, which does the job of a turbine, will allow solar thermal energy to be adapted for small-scale use far more cheaply than photovoltaic systems. Katrix is developing units in which solar energy will heat refrigeration fluid that will run through an expander linked to a generator to produce power. The expander is cheaper than a miniature turbine to build and has a number of advantages, including its ability to take gas or steam at 22 atmospheres (twenty two times atmospheric pressure) back to one atmosphere in one step. Katrix projects that in the Californian market once government solar energy grants are factored in its system will return its cost to consumers in two to three years, compared with 15 years for photovoltaic systems. Mr Demichelli, a private investor, and inventor Yannis Tropalis have invested over $3 million in the technology in three years. Another REDI grant, of $290,000, has gone to V-Fuel , which is developing a vanadium bromide redox battery. The funding will help develop a prototype of a battery that its promoters hope will be efficient enough to use to store power from renewable energy plants. Efficient storage would enable technologies such as wind power and solar energy to get over a bugbear unpredictability, because no one knows when the sun will shine or the wind will blow. V-Fuel principal Michael Kazacos says the grant is crucial to the company, which has raised only $400,000 up to now. V-Fuel has developed a five-kilowatt battery but is aiming to produce a 50-kilowatt prototype. That, he says, will cost $1 million, and further funding is being sought from another federal grant scheme. “There is a lot of interest in Europe,” Mr Kazacos said. “We have had offers of collaboration from there.” The battery was 85 per cent efficient, he said, and “we are aiming at having a $200-per-kilowatt production cost”. The vanadium bromide process was developed at the University of NSW by Professor Maria Skyllas-Kazacos , who is a principal of V-Fuel. according to Origin – Sliver Cells are “long, ultra thin, quite flexible & perfectly bifacial” Origin Energy received a $5 million grant to aid development of its facilities for manufacturing solar energy cells using photovoltaic sliver technology . The technology aims to cut the cost of solar energy cells by reducing silicon usage by up to 90 per cent. Sliver cells are micromachined to less than 70 microns thick with solar cell efficiency running at over 19%. Silicon is the most expensive part of a solar energy cell. Origin Energy says it costs $11,000 to fit a house with a one-kilowatt unit. This would take 20 years or more to pay itself off. However, as energy prices rise and production costs fall, this payback time will be cut. Origin Energy also owns a 19% stake in Geodynamics and offers Green Earth electricity from 100% renewable sources to Australian electricity consumers. For more green energy in Australia see the government Green Power website . Geothermal Energy: Hot Dry Rock Article in The Age on Australian Alternative Energy Grants

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Alternative Energy Hungary: First Windfarm in Hungary

Kaposvar Austrian company ko-Energia GmbH is to invest Ft60 billion ($284.6 million) in establishing the first wind farm in Hungary, in the south Rbakz region, 150km west of Budapest. Forty-eight wind turbines will be built, at a price of between Ft500-800m ($2.37-3.79m) and producing 2,000 kilowatts per hour. Although the company has yet to sign any agreements with the landowners, according to Lajos Takcs, the mayor of Dnesfa, this won’t hinder the project. “I am sure the company will be able to come to an agreement with the property owners,” Takcs said. Budapest Sun Article on Hungary’s First Windfarm

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Alternative Energy Hungary: First Windfarm in Hungary

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