Geothermal Energy Management

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Questions and Answers

What are the three ways geothermal energy reaches the Earth's surface?

  • Volcanoes, hot springs, geysers (correct)
  • Tidal energy, biomass, fossil fuels
  • Ocean waves, wind turbines, solars
  • Nuclear fission, geothermal wells, hydroelectric dams

What is the first step in generating electricity at a geothermal power plant?

  • Cooling the steam
  • Drilling wells to pump steam or hot water (correct)
  • Turning the turbine
  • Condensing steam back to water

Which of the following is NOT an advantage of geothermal energy?

  • Consistently reliable
  • Renewable source
  • Location-specific (correct)
  • Requires minimal land

What causes steam to form when hot water reaches the surface in a geothermal power plant?

<p>Drop in pressure (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a human-induced factor influencing geothermal energy depletion?

<p>Over extraction (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which location is an example of a depleted geothermal field?

<p>The Geysers, California (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What must be carefully managed to prevent depletion in geothermal energy sources?

<p>Water or steam extraction (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is a disadvantage of geothermal energy?

<p>Potential for water contamination (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What component is used in a geothermal power plant to generate electricity?

<p>Turbines connected to a generator (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a major environmental risk associated with geothermal energy?

<p>Inducing earthquakes (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What potential risk is associated with drilling geothermal wells?

<p>Creation of new fractures in the rock (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of extracting high-pressure fluids from geothermal reservoirs?

<p>Ground subsidence (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following can be a chemical contaminant in geothermal fluids?

<p>Mercury (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How can geothermal development affect natural geothermal features?

<p>Damage to natural geothermal features (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What must be done to prevent the pollution of waterways from geothermal operations?

<p>Reinject geothermal fluids responsibly (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a recommended method for conserving geothermal resources?

<p>Reinject spent fluids back into the reservoir (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why should reinjection sites be placed far from extraction sites?

<p>To ensure proper heating of reinjected water (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant environmental impact of geothermal fluid extraction?

<p>Release of heavy metals into water bodies (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a subsurface hazard related to geothermal energy?

<p>Urban development (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary concern in the over-extraction of geothermal resources?

<p>Cooling of the reservoir (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Geothermal drilling and earthquakes

Drilling geothermal wells can intersect faults and create new fractures, potentially increasing the risk of earthquakes.

Geothermal extraction and subsidence

Extracting high-pressure fluids from geothermal reservoirs can lower pressure, causing the ground to sink or subside.

Chemical contamination from geothermal fluids

Geothermal fluids can contain heavy metals and toxic substances, posing a risk of contamination.

Damage to geothermal features

Geothermal development can damage natural features like geysers, hot springs, and fumaroles.

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Waterways pollution from geothermal fluids

Geothermal fluids can contain high levels of mercury, boron, lithium, and arsenic, which can harm aquatic life and make water unsafe.

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Conservation of geothermal resources

Geothermal resources are renewable, but extracting too much can deplete them.

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Over-production of geothermal resources

Avoid producing so much hot water that it cools down the geothermal reservoir.

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Reinjection of spent geothermal fluids

Returning spent geothermal fluids back to the reservoir helps replenish it.

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Placement of reinjection sites

Placing reinjection sites far from extraction sites ensures the water is heated properly before reuse.

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Geothermal energy management

The process of extracting, using, and reinjecting geothermal fluids to minimize environmental impact and ensure sustainability.

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What is geothermal energy?

Geothermal energy harnesses the Earth's internal heat to generate power.

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Why is geothermal energy renewable?

Geothermal energy is a renewable energy source because the Earth's internal heat is constantly replenished. Geothermal power plants tap into this heat to generate electricity.

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How does geothermal energy work?

Geothermal energy generation involves drilling wells to access underground steam or hot water, converting it into electricity via turbines, and then reinjecting the cooled water back into the Earth.

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Where are geothermal power plants located?

Geothermal energy plants are located in areas with high geothermal activity, often near volcanoes, hot springs, or geysers.

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Why is geothermal energy considered clean and reliable?

Geothermal energy is considered clean because it emits significantly less greenhouse gases than fossil fuels. It is also reliable as its energy supply is consistent.

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What is a major concern with geothermal energy?

One key concern in geothermal energy is the potential depletion of underground heat resources, which can occur due to over-extraction or poor management.

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What is reservoir cooling?

Reservoir cooling refers to the decrease in temperature of the geothermal reservoir due to the extraction of heat.

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What is fluid depletion?

Fluid depletion occurs when the volume of usable geothermal fluids decreases, impacting the efficiency of the power plant.

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How does over-extraction impact geothermal energy?

Over-extraction of geothermal fluids can lead to depletion of the reservoir, making it difficult to generate electricity in the long run.

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What can be done to prevent depletion of geothermal resources?

Proper management and reinjection of cooled water back into the reservoir are crucial for ensuring the long-term sustainability of geothermal energy.

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Study Notes

Geothermal Energy: Production and Management

  • Geothermal energy harnesses Earth's internal heat to generate electricity. Heat reaches the surface via volcanoes, fumaroles, hot springs, and geysers.

  • Electricity generation involves drilling wells to extract steam or hot water. Pressure drop converts water to steam, powering turbines connected to generators. Cooled steam condenses back to water, which is reinjected into the Earth.

Geothermal Advantages and Disadvantages

  • Advantages: Renewable, clean (low greenhouse gas emissions), reliable (consistent energy supply), versatile (electricity, heating, & cooling), and requires minimal land.

  • Disadvantages: Location-specific, high upfront costs, potential environmental risks (earthquakes, water contamination).

Geothermal Energy Depletion

  • Geothermal resources are renewable but need careful management to prevent depletion.

  • Natural Depletion: Reservoir cooling, fluid depletion

  • Human-Induced Depletion: Over-extraction, inadequate reservoir management, poor well design, lack of reinjection

  • Examples of Depleted Fields: Geysers (California), Larderello (Italy), Wairakei (New Zealand), Tiwi (Philippines).

Geothermal Risks and Threats

  • Subsurface hazards: Earthquakes from drilling fault lines and ground subsidence from pressure drop in hot reservoirs.

  • Environmental hazards: Chemical contamination of geothermal fluids (heavy metals, toxic substances), damage to natural geothermal features (geysers, hot springs), and potential waterway pollution from chemicals like mercury, boron, lithium, & arsenic.

Geothermal Conservation Strategies

  • Avoid over-extraction: Preventing excessive hot water production that could cool the reservoir.

  • Reinjection: Returning spent fluids to the reservoir.

  • Strategic reinjection site selection: Keeping reinjection and extraction sites apart to enable proper re-heating.

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