Geothermal power: Introduction

Geothermal Power Station. Image credit MediaWiki

• Geothermal power is generated using steam rhythmically shooting out from underground at high pressure in the form of geysers.
• To control the movement of steam, an intricate network of pipes is installed collecting and directing the steam to turbines on the ground surface.
• The power of the ejected steam turns the turbines which turn the generators to produce our electricity.
• Some of the pipes act as safety valves to release excess pressure and steam while others are for driving steam to cooling chambers to convert it back to water.
• This water is then pumped back to the geyser source underground for reboiling naturally by hot rocks in an area of active volcanicity.
• Volcanicity is the process where molten magma or lava forces its way out from the earth’s crust unto the earth’s surface.

Advantages

• It is clean and environmentally friendly
• It is renewable
• Does not require clearing or damming nor does it result in displacement of people
• It is inexpensive to run as there is no fuel required to turn turbines
• Reduces dependency on fossil fuels

Disadvantages

• Pollution for example through the release of gases such as hydrogen sulfide
• Potential water pollution
• They are location specific and cannot be moved to suit other factors e.g distance to market
• Plants have high maintenance costs
• The construction of geothermal stations can affect land stability as there is risk of land subsidence
• There is also the possibility of depletion

To access more topics go to the O Level Geography Notes page