Geothermal Energy Production and Sustainability
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Questions and Answers

Which of the following methods is NOT one of the ways geothermal energy reaches the Earth's surface?

  • Hot springs
  • Geysers
  • Volcanoes and fumaroles
  • Tsunamis (correct)
  • What is the primary purpose of the cooling tower in a geothermal power plant?

  • To convert electricity into steam
  • To cool the steam and condense it back into water (correct)
  • To extract more geothermal fluids
  • To spin the turbine more efficiently
  • Which of the following is a factor that influences natural depletion in geothermal fields?

  • Over extraction
  • Reservoir cooling (correct)
  • Poor well design
  • Inadequate reservoir management
  • What disadvantage is primarily associated with geothermal energy?

    <p>High upfront costs to build plants (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT an example of a depleted geothermal field?

    <p>Yosemite, USA (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which step in the geothermal electricity generation process occurs after the steam spins the turbine?

    <p>The generator produces electricity (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of energy resource is geothermal energy classified as?

    <p>Renewable energy source (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following options represents a human-induced factor that can lead to depletion of geothermal fields?

    <p>Lack of reinjection (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How deep are wells typically drilled to access geothermal energy?

    <p>3-10 kilometers (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which advantage of geothermal energy is highlighted as being different from solar or wind energy?

    <p>Consistent energy supply (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

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

    Which chemical substance is NOT commonly found in geothermal fluids?

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

    What practice can help mitigate the risk of damaging geothermal features?

    <p>Reinjecting spent fluids (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a recommended distance consideration for reinjection sites in geothermal energy practices?

    <p>Far from extraction sites to prevent immediate reuse (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which hazard is associated with the intersection of drilling geothermal wells and geological faults?

    <p>Enhanced seismic activity (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What negative effect can result from the release of geothermal fluids into waterways?

    <p>Harm to aquatic life (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What approach does NOT contribute to the conservation of geothermal resources?

    <p>Increasing extraction volumes (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What impact can geothermal development have on natural geothermal features?

    <p>Destruction of hot springs (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a characteristic of subsurface hazards related to geothermal energy?

    <p>Potential for new fractures in rock (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What occurs if extraction of geothermal resources leads to over-production?

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

    Study Notes

    Geothermal Energy: Production and Sustainability

    • Geothermal energy harnesses Earth's internal heat for energy production.
    • It reaches the surface through various pathways like volcanoes, fumaroles, hot springs, and geysers.
    • Electricity generation involves steam produced from geothermal heat spinning turbines connected to generators.
    • Power plant steps: Wells drill into the ground (3-10 km), hot water/steam pumped to the surface, pressure drop causes water to steam, steam spins turbines producing electricity, cooled steam is condensed back to water, cooled water is reinjected to continue the process.

    Geothermal Energy Advantages and Disadvantages

    • Advantages:

      • Renewable: Earth's heat is constantly replenished.
      • Clean: Lower greenhouse gas emissions than fossil fuels.
      • Reliable: Consistent energy supply.
      • Versatile: Used for electricity, heating, and cooling..
    • Disadvantages:

      • Location-specific: Only found in specific geological areas.
      • Expensive: High initial plant construction costs.
      • Environmental risks: Potential earthquakes, water contamination.

    Geothermal Energy Resource Depletion and Management

    • Natural Depletion: Reservoir cooling & fluid depletion occur naturally.
    • Human-induced Depletion: Over-extraction, inadequate reservoir management, poor well design, and lack of reinjection.
    • Examples of Depleted Geothermal Fields: Geysers (California), Larderello (Italy), Wairakei (New Zealand), Tiwi (Philippines) (Visual aids exist).

    Geothermal Energy Threats and Risks

    • Subsurface Hazards:
      • Earthquakes: Drilling can trigger new faults and increase earthquake risk.
      • Ground Subsidence: Pressure drop in geothermal reservoirs leads to ground sinking.
    • Environmental Impacts:
      • Chemical Contamination: Geothermal fluids can contain hazardous chemicals.
      • Damage to Geothermal Features: Development can harm geysers, hot springs, and fumaroles.
      • Waterways Pollution: Potential contamination of water sources with heavy metals.

    Geothermal Energy Conservation

    • Prevent Overproduction: Avoid excessive hot water extraction, cooling the reservoir,
    • Reinjection: Return spent fluids to the reservoir as much as possible.
    • Reinjection Site Placement: Ideally, the re-injection site should be distanced from the extraction site to allow proper heating of the injected water.

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    Description

    This quiz explores geothermal energy, focusing on its production methods and sustainability aspects. Learn about the advantages and disadvantages of harnessing Earth's internal heat for energy generation. Test your knowledge on how geothermal plants operate and their environmental impact.

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