Geothermal Energy

Photos of US Geological Survey

Global heat flow map prepared from the database compiled by the International Heat Flow Commission (H. N. Pollack, S. J. Hurter, and J. R. Johnson, Reviews of Geophysics, Vol. 31, 1993.)

Global Geothermal Sites

http://www.deutsches-museum.de/ausstell/dauer/umwelt/img/geothe.jpg

25 50 75 100/150+

Geysers

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geyser

Clepsydra Geyser in Yellowstone

Hot Springs

Hot springs in Steamboat Springs (CO) area.

FumarolesClay Diablo Fumarole (CA) White Island Fumarole

New Zealand

Methods of Heat Extraction

http://www.geothermal.ch/eng/vision.html

A short glimpse at geothermal power

Photo courtesy of ENEL/ERGA, Italy

First experiment to produce geo-thermal power, done in Italy in 1904 by prince Ginori Conti

Modern geothermal power plants in Larderello, Italy

Photos: Lund

Dry Steam Schematic

Boyle, Renewable Energy, 2nd edition, 2004

Geysers dry steam field in northern California

© 2000 Geothermal Education Office

Geysers Geothermal PlantThe Geysers is the largest producer of geothermal power in the world.

http://www.ece.umr.edu/links/power/geotherm1.htm

Single Flash Steam Schematic

Boyle, Renewable Energy, 2nd edition, 2004

Flash steam plant in Japan

© 2000 Geothermal Education Office

Binary Cycle Schematic

Boyle, Renewable Energy, 2nd edition, 2004

Binary plant in Nevada

© 2000 Geothermal Education Office

Hot Dry Rock Technology: Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS)

Fenton Hill plant, NM – First EGS test facility, abandoned in 1992.

http://www.ees4.lanl.gov/hdr/

Enhanced Geothermal System

25 MW Demonstration Plant at Cooper Basin, Australia Estimated to have 5-10 GW potential Useful life might be 20-30 years, before rock cools off too much

1932

2000

© 2000 Geothermal Education Office

“Blue Lagoon,” Iceland (Svartsengi Geothermal Power Plant)

“Blue Lagoon,” Iceland (Svartsengi Geothermal Power Plant)

Direct uses of geothermal energy are appropriate for sources below 1500C

• space heating• air conditioning• industrial processes• drying • Greenhouses• Aguaculture• hot water• resorts and pools• melting snow

Geothermal greenhouse in Nigrita, Greece

Cultivation of spirulina(red) algae using geothermal heat

Geothermal Greenhouses

Geothermal “sun-dried” tomatos drying in Northern Greece

The finished product

Geothermal application inthe food industry

Geothermal fish drying in Northern Iceland

The finished product

Fish factory in Laugar, Iceland

Geothermal application inthe food industry

Daily St. Louis High and Low Temperatures

How can we save the heat from the summer and use it in the winter?

Residential Geothermal Heat Pump

Heat vs. Depth Profile

Boyle, Renewable Energy, 2nd edition, 2004

A typical household can save $1500 a year or more.

This can give most systems a payback period of three to five years.

GSHP's are more than three times as efficient as the most efficient fossil fuel furnace.

They deliver three units of energy for every one unit used to power the heat-pump system.