Lec: Geothermal and Biomass

Geothermal: Geothermal power uses the natural sources of heat inside the Earth to produce heat or electricity.

Geothermal Technologies Systems:Direct-use: A drilled well into a geothermal

reservoir to provide a steady stream of hot water.

Deep reservoirs to generate electricity: Power plants that use steam, accessed through deep wells, to directly drive a turbine to produce electricity. California, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah currently have operating geothermal power plants.

Geothermal heat pumps: A geothermal heat pump transfers heated, stored water in the ground, into a building during the winter, and transferring it out of the building and back into the ground during the summer.

Geothermal Power Plant

Geothermal Power Plant in CA

Ground water temperatures 6kM below the Earth’s surface

AdvantagesRenewableMinimal pollution

DisadvantagesLimited areasRequires drilling to find a sourceProduces hydrogen sulfide gas

Lec: Biomass

What is biomass energyA renewable energy source produced

by burning organic wastes such as

wood, sawdust, and garbage.

How does it work?

AdvantagesNot a lot of harmful emissions like fossil fuel burning

Carbon dioxide released can be taken back by growing more biomass

Reduces air pollutionReduces water pollutionCheap fuel

DisadvantagesHard to make on your ownExpensiveGreenhouse gasses are produced

Natural resources at risk

Where it is used in the United States