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Could we use volcanoes to generate electricity? – Lawrence, age 7, Dublin, California
Converting glowing lava from an lively volcano into electricity can be dangerous and unreliable. Volcanoes don’t erupt on predictable schedules and lava cools too quickly. But many countries, including the USAhave found ways to make use of volcanic heat to generate electricity.
Geothermal energy is generated by heat generated by natural processes deep contained in the earth. In most areas, this heat only warms rocks and groundwater near the surface. In volcanically lively regions, nevertheless, the warmth is rather more intense. Sometimes it melts rocks, Form magma.
Volcanoes act like giant heat sources that bring magma closer to the Earth's surface. Some of this molten rock may erupt, but much of it stays underground, heating the encircling rock and water. Where heated water rises to the surface, hot springs and geysers that may last for 1000’s of years.
To use this energy to generate electricity, engineers discover areas where magma is near the surface and drill deep wells to the heated rocks and waterThese wells bring steam to the surface, where it’s piped to an influence plant to drive turbines and generate electricity.
After generating electricity, the steam cools down and condenses back into hot water. The water may be used to convert one other liquid with a much lower boiling pointlike for instance butaneto power a second generator. It is then pumped back underground to be heated again.
The earth continuously produces heat, so geothermal energy is a renewable resource. And geothermal power plants produce significantly less pollution, waste and greenhouse gas emissions warm the earth's climate than by burning coal, gas, oil or using nuclear energy.
Geothermal energy sources can last for a long time and even longerUnlike other renewable energy sources comparable to solar and wind, geothermal energy is accessible 24 hours a day, twelve months a yr.
The world's geothermal hotspots
Geothermal energy is already utilized in many places around the globe, especially in regions with strong volcanic activity. For example, just about all of Iceland’s electricity comes from renewable sources, with geothermal delivers about 25%The country lies on quite a few lively volcanoes and is due to this fact a super location for geothermal power plants.
Some US states, including California and Nevadahave geothermal power plants due to their volcanic regions. Other lively geothermal sites, comparable to Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming are protected against development.
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Challenges for geothermal energy
Why isn't geothermal energy used as widely as wind or solar energy? First, geothermal power plants should be built near volcanoes or other places where it's unusually hot beneath the surface. These resources aren't all the time situated near big cities or industries that use quite a lot of electricity.
Second, drilling deep wells and constructing power plants may be expensive. The long-term advantages of geothermal energy often exceed the acquisition costs.
Third, in some cases drilling and pumping water under pressure may cause small earthquakes. Scientists and engineers are working to to predict and control this effect.
Despite these challenges, harnessing the earth's natural heat can create a renewable, reliable and clean source of energy. As technology advances, an increasing number of places around the globe will turn to geothermal energy to light people's lives. Volcanoes are paying homage to a big power station deep underground, waiting for use.
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