Here’s the need-to-know stuff about the energy source, geothermal energy!
Description
The centre of the Earth is extremely hot – around 6000oC. Some of this heat rises up to heat rocks nearer the surface.
Where can you find geothermal energy?
Geothermal plants can be found wherever very hot rocks can be found near the surface, for example in the United States, New Zealand, Iceland and Japan. There is one small geothermal power plant in the UK, in Southampton.
How is it made into electricity?
Holes are drilled down to hot rocks – sometimes thousands of metres below the surface.
Water is then pumped down to the rock, where it is heated and turned into steam. This steam is then drawn up to the surface and used to propel the blades of a turbine. This is attached to a generator, which produces electricity!
What are the advantages of using geothermal energy?
- It is a renewable source of energy, which means that it will not run out!
- No fuel is needed, so once the geothermal plant is built the running costs of producing electricity are relatively low.
- Once built, geothermal plants do not produce air pollution and do not contribute to the greenhouse effect.
- The power stations do not take up much room.
What are the disadvantages of using geothermal energy?
- The right geographical location is needed, where suitable hot rocks are within drilling depth. Not many of these exist in the UK.
- Sometimes the heat source can ‘dry up’ if too much heat energy is extracted.
- Hazardous gases and minerals can be brought up which need to be safely disposed of.
📖 Words to know
- Renewable
- An energy source that can be used again and will not run out.
- Turbine
- A device that uses moving water or air to spin a rotator and make electric power.
- Generator
- A device that turns movement, like spinning steam-driven blades, into electricity.
⚠️ Watch out!
🎧 Listen and watch
- Turning Heat Into Power — heat into steam, steam into electricity.
- The Future of Electricity — what comes next for the way we make power.
How much do you know about geothermal energy?
Where does geothermal heat come from?
- Inside the Earth
- The Sun
- The sea
- Burning wood
How is that heat turned into electricity?
- Water is pumped down, comes back as steam and spins a turbine
- The rocks are burned
- Magnets are buried in the ground
- Hot air is blown at solar panels
Is there a geothermal power plant in the UK?
- Yes, a small one in Southampton
- No, none at all
- Yes, one in every city
- Only in Scotland
We’ve got a whole series about energy, electricity, and power generation! It’s called Curious Kate, and you can listen to it below!
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