Energy from Volcanoes: How it Generates Electricity

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Questions and Answers

What is the main difference between geothermal power plants and geothermal heat pumps?

Geothermal power plants require drilling much deeper wells than geothermal heat pumps.

Geothermal power plants use heat from deep underground to generate electricity, while geothermal heat pumps use heat from near the Earth's surface to heat water or buildings. (correct)

Geothermal power plants are only found in areas with volcanic activity, while geothermal heat pumps can be used anywhere.

Geothermal power plants are more efficient at generating electricity than geothermal heat pumps.

Why are geothermal power plants most commonly found in areas with hot springs, geysers, or volcanic activity?

The hot springs, geysers, and volcanic activity provide a natural source of water to cool the power plant.

These areas have more available land for building large power plant facilities.

These areas have high levels of geothermal activity, which makes it easier to access the steam or hot water needed to generate electricity. (correct)

These areas have higher electricity demand, so it is more economical to build geothermal power plants there.

How does the steam used to generate electricity in a geothermal power plant get back into the Earth?

The steam is released into the atmosphere after spinning the turbine.

The steam is used to heat buildings nearby before being released.

The steam is collected and stored in a reservoir on the surface.

The steam is condensed back into water and pumped back into the Earth to begin the process again. (correct)

Which of the following is NOT a location in the Philippines where geothermal power plants are used to generate electricity?

Baguio City, Benguet Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the cooling tower in a geothermal power plant?

To condense the steam back into water so it can be pumped back into the Earth. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key advantage of using geothermal energy compared to other renewable energy sources?

Geothermal energy can be used to generate electricity 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Signup and view all the answers

How is geothermal energy harnessed to generate electricity?

By utilizing heat from deep inside the Earth Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the Philippines' total power generation is produced from geothermal energy?

14.4% Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary source of heat for geothermal energy production?

Heat from deep within the Earth Signup and view all the answers

Which technology taps into heat close to the Earth's surface for heating water or buildings?

Geothermal heat pumps Signup and view all the answers

What would you observe if you were to dig a hole straight down into the Earth?

The temperature will get warmer as you go deeper Signup and view all the answers

Which method of electricity generation is cheaper compared to natural gas, coal, and hydropower?

Geothermal power plants Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a geothermal heat pump?

To heat and cool homes and buildings Signup and view all the answers

How does a geothermal heat pump work to heat a building in the winter?

It pumps water or a refrigerant through pipes to absorb heat from the Earth and bring it into the building Signup and view all the answers

What is a key advantage of using geothermal energy compared to other renewable energy sources?

Geothermal energy is more reliable and consistent than solar or wind power Signup and view all the answers

How have ancient cultures historically used geothermal energy?

They used hot mineral springs for bathing, cooking, and eating Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason geothermal energy is used so extensively in Iceland?

Iceland lacks other natural resources like fossil fuels, so they rely heavily on geothermal for heating and electricity Signup and view all the answers

How can a geothermal heat pump be used to cool a building in the summer?

The heat pump can reverse the flow of the refrigerant to absorb heat from the building and release it into the surrounding soil Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy is generated from the heat inside the Earth, used to produce steam to generate electricity in geothermal power plants.
In contrast, geothermal heat pumps use the heat from close to the Earth's surface to heat water or provide heat for buildings.

Geothermal Power Plants

Geothermal power plants are located in areas with hot springs, geysers, or volcanic activity, where the Earth is particularly hot just below the surface.
Wells are drilled 1-2 miles deep into the Earth to pump steam or hot water to the surface.
The hot water is pumped from deep underground through a well under high pressure.
When the water reaches the surface, the pressure drops, causing the water to turn into steam.
The steam spins a turbine connected to a generator that produces electricity.
The steam cools off in a cooling tower and condenses back to water, which is then pumped back into the Earth to begin the process again.

Geothermal Power Plants in the Philippines

Geothermal power plants are used to generate electricity in several locations in the Philippines, including Tiwi (Albay), Kidapawan (North Cotabato), Calaca (Laguna), Tongonan (Leyte), Bago City (Negros Occidental), Valencia (Negros Oriental), and Bacon (Sorsogon).
The Philippines ranks second in the world's production of geothermal energy.
14.4% of the country's total power generation is produced from geothermal energy.

Geothermal Heat Pumps

Geothermal heat pumps tap into heat close to the Earth's surface to heat water or provide heat for buildings.
These systems transfer heat by pumping water or a refrigerant through pipes just below the Earth's surface, where the temperature is a constant 50-60°F.
During the winter, the water or refrigerant absorbs warmth from the Earth, and the pump brings this heat to the building above.
In the summer, some heat pumps can run in reverse and help cool buildings.

Benefits of Geothermal Energy

Producing electricity from geothermal energy is cheaper than using natural gas, coal, and hydropower.
Geothermal energy has been used for thousands of years, with ancient civilizations using hot mineral springs for bathing, cooking, and eating.
In Iceland, most people use geothermal energy to heat water and buildings.

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Description

Learn about how energy from volcanoes can be harnessed for human use, with a focus on geothermal energy production. Discover the significance of geothermal energy for power generation and its cost-effectiveness compared to other sources.

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