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• Heat Energy

What Is Heat Energy?

Heat is a form of energy which is transferred from a substance having a higher temperature to a substance having a lower temperature. The addition of heat to a substance increases its internal temperature. Heat is defined as the net amount of thermal energy of a system.

Heat energy is produced due to the motion of subatomic particles like atoms, ions, and molecules to solids, gases, and liquids. Heat transfer occurs from one system to another system due to the temperature difference between the two systems.

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All forms of matter contain heat energy. No matter if it is a volcano or an ice cube, it has some amount of heat.

Sources of Heat

There are different forms of energy in nature like mechanical energy, sound energy, light energy, electric energy, tidal energy, heat energy, etc. Heat energy is generated due to the transfer of heat from a warm system to a cool system. Heat energy is an essential form of energy in our day-to-day activities like cooking, heating, ironing, etc. An object or system from which heat energy is obtained is called a source of heat energy. Here are some of the major sources of heat energy which are mentioned below:

Sun – The living source of energy

Every second of every day the Sun gives us life generating energy towards Earth, firing our planet with light and life.  We cannot always see it. Energy is everywhere you look, it's locked in the atoms giving inside things and it keeps the heart pumping blood through your veins. Energy is the only thing that drives every living things to survive.

Anything that happens from pin drop to an explosion requires energy. Energy is the capacity for doing work. Various forms of energy exist in various forms. The law of conservation of energy states that the total amount of energy in the universe is fixed; it means that energy can only change from one form to another

The heat energy which is obtained from Earth is called geothermal energy. It can be found in hot water and rocks present underground. Heat is also found in the form of molten rocks and magma, deep inside the Earth's crust.

Air is also an important source of heat energy. It is used for heat pumps for both commercial and residential purposes.

Burning Fuels

Burning of fuels provides heat energy. Fuel is an energy filled combustible substance, which when burnt generates energy. Wood, coal, kerosene, gasoline, petrol, diesel, oil, and charcoal are some common fuels.

Electricity

Electric energy can be converted into heat energy. Iron, water heater, and induction cooker are some of the devices which convert electrical energy into heat energy. This is based on the principle of heating effect of electric current.

How does Heat Energy Get Transferred?

There are three ways for the transfer of heat, and they are mentioned below:

1. Convection - It is a process of heat transfer which occurs due to the actual motion of the particles. It usually occurs in liquids and gases. When air gets heated, it becomes hot and carries heat energy.

Warm air has less density as compared to cool air, hence warm air rises above and cool air descends below to fill the space. This cool air further becomes warm and rises. This process continues and produces convection current.

2. Conduction - It is the process of heat transfer which occurs due to the vibration of the molecules about their mean position.

Conduction occurs from one part of a system to another part, or in two systems which are in contact with each other. Due to closely packed molecules, solids conduct heat better than liquids and gases.

3. Radiation - It is a method of heat transfer which uses electromagnetic waves (infrared waves) to transfer heat from one place to the other. 

This process does not require any medium to transfer heat. Hot objects radiate out heat waves in all directions at the speed of light. When heat waves strike with an object, it either reflects or absorbs the wave.

Heat Energy Examples

If the constituent particle of an object becomes excited by gaining energy, the particle moves or vibrates rapidly and the object is said to be hot. 

If the particles have less energy, it will not vibrate, and the object is said to be cold. Heat is the transfer of energy between these objects due to a difference in temperature.

Here are some examples of heat energy:

The Sun is the biggest source of heat energy in our solar system. It radiates heat, which reaches Earth in the form of radiation.

A stovetop acts as a source of heat energy when it burns the gas. Anything which is placed above the stove also becomes a source of energy to cook things.

Automobile fuels are also a source of heat energy. When the fuel burns, it provides energy for the motion of the vehicle.

A hot cup of tea or coffee contains heat energy.

When you hold a piece of ice in your palm, the heat energy from your hand melts the ice.

A radiator, heating system , or a room heater provides the necessary radiant heat energy to warm your house during the winter season.

Conventional oven is a source of convection heat energy; the food becomes hot when it is placed in it.

Various Forms of Energy

Energy exists in many different forms. Examples of these are as follows:

 light energy,

 heat energy,

 mechanical energy, 

gravitational energy, 

electrical energy, 

sound energy, 

chemical energy, 

nuclear or atomic energy, and so on.

 Each form can be converted or changed into the other forms.

Transformation of Energy

All the energy forms follow a universal law known as law of conservation of energy which states that energy can neither be created nor destroyed but can be altered from one form to the another. This implies that all forms of energy are interconvertible. The process of changing one form of energy into another is called an energy transformation.

Examples of of Converting Energy

Consider a ball falling from the top of the floor of a building. Initially, it has potential energy stored. Due to its height as the ball falls, the potential energy changes to kinetic energy. 

Charging of batteries converts electrical energy to chemical energy and chemical to electrical.

Conversion of chemical energy in the form of petrol converting into heat energy and finally into kinetic energy.

Importance of Heat Energy

In physical science, heat is essential, especially for plants and animals. Plant life depends on heat, among other things, to survive as well. Heat is a result of energy, which can be beneficial as well as dangerous.

FAQs on Heat Energy

1.   What are some uses of heat energy?

Some uses of heat energy are mentioned below:

Thermometers use heat energy to measure temperature.

Heat energy is necessary for the existence of life on Earth.

The steam thermal power plant uses heat energy to heat the air, and water present in air is also heated.

Sweater uses heat energy to keep the body warm, by trapping heat between its layers.

Heat energy melts helps the fuse wire, in fuses, thus preventing any damage to electric circuits.

Heat energy is used for medication in heat therapy to cure muscle strains.

2. How is heat produced?

Heat is produced by various sources.

The heat energy of the Sun is generated due to the fusion of its hydrogen and helium atoms. This energy is then radiated out from the surface of the Sun.

The heat energy of a fire is generated due to the combustion of fuel or other materials.

The heat energy of an electric appliance is generated due to the friction of electrons with the resisting elements.

Heat is produced in our body due to the chemical and biological reactions that occur within the cells.

Heat is also produced due to the vibration of the molecules or atoms.

3. What is the use of energy in the world?

The world population has grown and we have invented petrol-guzzling cars and built feel hungry homes. Our energy needs have increased; the total worldwide energy use has increased by about 14 times since the early 20th century.

4 . What are other alternative sources of energy?

The alternative sources of energy are as follows:

Solar energy from the Sun

Wind energy

Geothermal Energy 

Hydropower from flowing water

Ocean energy in the form of wave, tidal, current energy, and ocean thermal energy

Biomass from plants.

5. How can heat energy be transformed into other forms of energy?

Heat can also be converted to and from other forms of energy.

For example:

Coal in thermal plants is converted into electricity.

 When cooking  food, heat energy is converted into mechanical energy. 

 The heat of sunlight is converted into solar energy.

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1: Temperature and Heat

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In this chapter, we explore heat and temperature. It is not always easy to distinguish these terms. Heat is the flow of energy from one object to another. This flow of energy is caused by a difference in temperature. The transfer of heat can change temperature, as can work, another kind of energy transfer that is central to thermodynamics. We return to these basic ideas several times throughout the next four chapters, and you will see that they affect everything from the behavior of atoms and molecules to cooking to our weather on Earth to the life cycles of stars.

• 1.1: Prelude to Temperature and Heat Heat and temperature are important concepts for each of us, every day. How we dress in the morning depends on whether the day is hot or cold, and most of what we do requires energy that ultimately comes from the Sun. The study of heat and temperature is part of an area of physics known as thermodynamics. The laws of thermodynamics govern the flow of energy throughout the universe. They are studied in all areas of science and engineering, from chemistry to biology to environmental science.
• 1.2: Temperature and Thermal Equilibrium Temperature is operationally defined as the quantity measured by a thermometer. It is proportional to the average kinetic energy of atoms and molecules in a system. Thermal equilibrium occurs when two bodies are in contact with each other and can freely exchange energy. Systems are in thermal equilibrium when they have the same temperature. The zeroth law of thermodynamics states that when two systems, A and B, are in thermal equilibrium with each other, and B is in thermal equilibrium with a th
• 1.3: Thermometers and Temperature Scales Three types of thermometers are alcohol, liquid crystal, and infrared radiation (pyrometer). The three main temperature scales are Celsius, Fahrenheit, and Kelvin. Temperatures can be converted from one scale to another using temperature conversion equations. The three phases of water (ice, liquid water, and water vapor) can coexist at a single pressure and temperature known as the triple point.
• 1.4: Thermal Expansion Thermal expansion is the increase of the size (length, area, or volume) of a body due to a change in temperature, usually a rise. Thermal contraction is the decrease in size due to a change in temperature, usually a fall in temperature. Thermal stress is created when thermal expansion or contraction is constrained.
• 1.5: Heat Transfer, Specific Heat, and Calorimetry Heat is a type of energy transfer that is caused by a temperature difference, and it can change the temperature of an object. As we learned earlier in this chapter, heat transfer is the movement of energy from one place or material to another as a result of a difference in temperature. Heat transfer is fundamental to such everyday activities as home heating and cooking, as well as many industrial processes. It also forms a basis for the topics in the remainder of this chapter.
• 1.6: Phase Changes Phase transitions play an important theoretical and practical role in the study of heat flow. In melting (or “fusion”), a solid turns into a liquid; the opposite process is freezing. In evaporation, a liquid turns into a gas; the opposite process is condensation.
• 1.7: Mechanisms of Heat Transfer Just as interesting as the effects of heat transfer on a system are the methods by which it occurs. Whenever there is a temperature difference, heat transfer occurs. It may occur rapidly, as through a cooking pan, or slowly, as through the walls of a picnic ice chest. So many processes involve heat transfer that it is hard to imagine a situation where no heat transfer occurs. Yet every heat transfer takes place by only three methods:  conduction, convection and radiation.
• 1.A: Temperature and Heat (Answer)
• 1.E: Temperature and Heat (Exercises)
• 1.S: Temperature and Heat (Summary)

Thumbnail: Natural convection plays an important role in heat transfer inside this pot of water. Once conducted to the inside, heat transfer to other parts of the pot is mostly by convection. The hotter water expands, decreases in density, and rises to transfer heat to other regions of the water, while colder water sinks to the bottom. This process keeps repeating.

• Heat Introduction Classification

Heat Energy

Most of us refer the word ‘heat’ to anything that feels warm but scientifically, heat is defined as the flow of energy from a warm to a cooler object. The classification of heat is done on this basis as hot and cold.

Heat energy is all around us, such as in icebergs, volcanoes, and our bodies. Every matter has heat energy.

The result of the movement of minute particles known as atoms, molecules, or ions in liquids, solids, and gases is nothing but heat energy. Heat energy can be transferred from one substance to another, and the flow because of the temperature difference between two objects is known as heat.

Ways Of Transferring Heat Energy

Convection transfers heat energy via air and liquids. The particles move apart and become less dense as the air heats up and hence causing the air to rise. While cooler air moves in from below and heats up.

Radiation warms the air using heat waves that radiate out of the hot object in all directions until absorbed by other objects. Heat transfer by radiation takes place at the speed of light and travels great distances.

Conduction transfers heat from one object to another when they are in direct contact with one another. The travelling molecules of a warm object can increase the energy of the molecules in a cooler object. Solids conduct heat better than gases and liquids since particles are close together.

Particles In Collision

Particles have higher energy at higher temperatures. Some amount of this energy can be transmitted to other particles that are at a lower temperature. For instance, when a fast travelling particle collides with a slower particle in the gas state, it transfers its energy to the other particle and thus increases the speed of slow-moving particles.

When billions of particles collide with each other, a region of high energy transfers across the material until a condition of thermal equilibrium is developed, i.e. the temperature across the material is the same.

Heat Energy Examples

An ice cube has some heat energy and also a glass of lemonade. If you put the ice in lemonade(warmer), the lemonade will transfer some of its heat energy to ice. Put differently, the ice melts, and the water and lemonade will be of the same temperature. This is nothing but reaching a state of equilibrium.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

What are the different modes of heat transfer, give an example of radiation., what is the si unit of heat, what is meant by conduction, what is the movement of molecules in fluids from higher temperature regions to lower temperature regions known as.

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Heat energy.

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Most of us use the word ‘heat’ to mean something that feels warm, but science defines heat as the flow of energy from a warm object to a cooler object.

Actually, heat energy is all around us – in volcanoes, in icebergs and in your body. All matter contains heat energy.

Heat energy is the result of the movement of tiny particles called atoms, molecules or ions in solids, liquids and gases. Heat energy can be transferred from one object to another. The transfer or flow due to the difference in temperature between the two objects is called heat.

For example, an ice cube has heat energy and so does a glass of lemonade. If you put the ice in the lemonade, the lemonade (which is warmer) will transfer some of its heat energy to the ice. In other words, it will heat up the ice. Eventually, the ice will melt and the lemonade and water from the ice will be the same temperature. This is known as reaching a state of thermal equilibrium.

Moving particles

Matter is all around you. It is everything in the universe – anything that has both mass and volume and takes up space is matter. Matter exists in different physical forms – solids, liquids and gases.

All matter is made of tiny particles called atoms, molecules and ions. These tiny particles are always in motion – either bumping into each other or vibrating back and forth. It is the motion of particles that creates a form of energy called heat (or thermal) energy that is present in all matter.

The particles in solids are tightly packed and can only vibrate. The particles in liquids also vibrate but are able to move around by rolling over each other and sliding around. In gases, the particles move freely with rapid, random motion.

Transferring heat energy – particles in collision

At higher temperatures, particles have more energy. Some of this energy can be transmitted to other particles that are at a lower temperature. For example, in the gas state, when a fast moving particle collides with a slower moving particle, it transfers some of its energy to the slower moving particle, increasing the speed of that particle.

With billions of moving particles colliding into each other, an area of high energy will slowly transfer across the material until thermal equilibrium is reached (the temperature is the same across the material).

Changing states by heat transfer

Faster moving particles ‘excite’ nearby particles. If heated sufficiently, the movement of particles in a solid increases and overcomes the bonds that hold the particles together. The substance changes its state from a solid to a liquid (melting). If the movement of the particles increases further in the liquid, then a stage is reached where the substance changes into a gas (evaporation).

Three ways of transferring heat energy

All heat energy, including heat generated by fire, is transferred in different ways:

Convection transfers heat energy through gases and liquids. As air is heated, the particles gain heat energy allowing them to move faster and further apart, carrying the heat energy with them. Warm air is less dense than cold air and will rise. Cooler air moves in below to replace the air that has risen. It heats up, rises, and is again replaced by cooler air, creating a circular flow called a convection current. These currents circle and heat the room.

Conduction transfers heat energy in solids. The moving particles of a warm soild material can increase the heat energy of the particles in a cooler solid material by transferring it directly from one particle to the next. Since particles are closer together, solids conduct heat better than liquids or gases.

Radiation is a method of heat transfer that does not require particles to carry the heat energy. Instead, heat is transferred in infrared waves (part of the electromagnetic spectrum). Heat waves radiate out from hot objects in all directions, travelling at the speed of light, until they hit another object. When this happens, the heat energy carried by the waves can be either absorbed or reflected.

Fire illustrates the three different methods of heat transfer. For example, the firebox will heat up due to convection. The air above the fire will be warm due to convection. You can warm your hands near to the flames due to radiant heat transfer.

An effect of heat – expansion

When gases, liquids and solids are heated, they expand. As they cool, they contract or get smaller. The expansion of the gases and liquids is because the particles are moving around very fast when they are heated and are able to move further apart so they take up more room. If the gas or liquid is heated in a closed container, the particles collide with the sides of the container, and this causes pressure. The greater the number of collisions, the greater the pressure.

Sometimes when a house is on fire, the windows will explode outwards. This is because the air in the house has been heated and the excited molecules are moving at high speed around the room. They are pushing against the walls, ceiling, floor and windows. Because the windows are the weakest part of the house structure, they break and burst open, releasing the increased pressure.

Related content

To help understand more about heat, particularly in relation to fire, see these articles:

• Fire behaviour
• Fire behaviour in the outdoors
• Detecting fire
• What is fire?
• Using solar energy

Activity ideas

There are a number of activities that support student learning. Hands-on activities include:

• Drama in the microworld – using drama to model atoms, molecules, heat transfer and combustion.
• The great candle experiment – the oft-used inverted jar in a saucer of water but without the common misconceptions.
• The flying teabag – investigating convection.

In Alternative conceptions about fire discover some common misunderstandings about fire and keep them in mind while teaching – and address them as they come up.

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Background on Report 3 Current Technologies Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Technology 5 Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) 8 Solar Heating and Cooling (SCH) Technology 10 Analysis and Recommendation 11 Conclusion 12 Figures and Tables Figure 1: Diagram of a P-N junction in a Photovoltaic Cell 6 Figure 2: A Typical Parabolic Through CSP System 9 Figure 3: Wakiki Shore Apartments in Honolulu, Hawaii 11

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• Heat temperature and kinetic energy

Heat temperature and kinetic energy - Essay Example

• Subject: Physics
• Type: Essay
• Level: College
• Pages: 3 (750 words)
• Downloads: 2
• Author: sigurdmorar

Extract of sample "Heat temperature and kinetic energy"

As particles of matter are in constant motion even in the coldest voids of space, there is always a measurable amount of heat energy produced. The continuous movements of the atoms and molecules within the body, where they randomly hit each other produce heat or thermal energy. Heat is also like work. It can never be contained within the body. Instead, it is energy in transit, transferring from one body into another. It can also transmit from the system to its environment or vice versa. Heat in the body can be of two forms: potential and kinetic energy (Smith, Van Ness, Abott, 2001).

Heat always travels from a body with high temperature to a lower one. Temperature is the main driving force for heat transfer between bodies. According to (Killam, Daou, n.d ), atoms and molecules don’t travel with the same rate of speed. There is a certain range of energy in molecules that dictates their speed whether slow or fast. Temperature therefore is “the measure of the average heat or thermal energy of the particles in a substance”. Temperature is measured through thermometers, using a uniform tube filled with alcohol, mercury or some other fluids.

There is a reflected numerical values indicated for the degree of hotness and coldness of a certain object (Smith, Van Ness, Abott, 2001). Heat and temperature is closely related to each other. As observed, the presence of heat makes the temperature rise. However, they are not of the same thing. Heat is the energy produced due to the motion of molecules while temperature is the measurement of the energy produced by the body. Heat is dependent upon the rate of movement of the particles such as the number of particles in motion, their speed, mass and the type of particles within the body.

Temperature, on the other hand is independent of these things. Heat caused the temperature to rise and the removal of heat cause the temperature to lower down. Object with higher temperature reveals that the molecules in that body are moving with higher energy. To state it more clearly, “temperature is not energy, but a measure of it. Heat is energy” (Killam, Daou, n.d). Heat has effects to the body from which it is transferred. A certain body is capable of handling such heat energy. This is referred to as heat capacity.

As defined by (Smith, Van Ness, Abott, 2001), the smaller the change in temperature within a body that is caused by the transfer of that given quantity of heat, there is greater capacity for it. There are two kinds of heat capacity that can be applied in homogenous fluids: heat capacity at constant volume and the heat capacity at constant pressure. Every type has certain conditions or properties that must be considered with relevance to their differences in volume and pressure. Heat capacity can also be further divided into three different terms: heat capacity, specific heat capacity and the molar heat capacity.

According to Jorgensen (n.d), molar heat capacity is the required energy for one mole of substance to raise 1 degree Celcius. Specific heat is the measurement of energy that can raise a material with a certain mass into a difference of 1 degree in Centigrade. They are both intrinsic properties of a certain substance. They are not dependent on the quantity of material present. Heat capacity on the other hand, is an extensive property of

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The Concept of Energy Essay

Renewable sources of energy, non-renewable sources of energy, overview of various resources of renewable energy.

Energy is referred as the capacity of a body or a system to function or operate. The concept of energy is very common and widespread in all scientific fields. This however, explains the varied explanation and approach of the term ‘energy’ across various contexts such as physics, biology, and chemistry.

In the context of this study, energy is the vitality or power that would be needed for sustained mental or physical functioning of various bodies. In other words, this is the indirectly observed quantity normally viewed as the ability of a physical body to function or operate normally.

As it would be observed, energy exists in numerous different forms, and these can be electrical, chemical, mechanical, radiant or light, and heat or thermal forms of energy. Energy is a fundamental part of modern life that plays a crucial role in almost every sector of human life. For instance, people use energy to make their work easier in various fields of operation, and to process things in a more convenient style.

More importantly, energy is used for lighting purposes and to power machinery as well as other significant equipment that makes life easier and more exciting for humans. There are many sources of energy, and this would range from renewable to non-renewable sources. While energy is crucial and beneficial to human life in many ways, it is nevertheless one of the major causes of the common global issues currently affecting the human nature.

A good example here is the combustion of fuels for the purpose of powering cars among other machineries and equipment, which is arguably one of the major activities having the biggest impact on the progressive issue of the global warming. Among other key concerns, the operations of the global energy sector have drawn incessant scrutiny from the global leaders as a result of the above reason.

Concerns about the issue of global warming, which is observed to be necessitated by the combustion of fossil fuels, has immensely contributed to the implementation of a number of strategies that would be applied in dealing with the problem. In this regard, a massive shift from the use of fossil fuels to renewable sources of energy appears to be the most effective step which can successfully implement this goal.

This plan aims at repowering America and the entire world with carbon-free forms of energy within the next one or so decade. The brains behind this plan have concluded that, there is a possibility of such a change if the necessary measures towards the plan where taken. Other big concerns that have had influential impact on the plan would include things such as high prices of oil, land use, the wildlife, global water supply, environmental pollution, and heightening government concerns.

The many implications that the generation and use of fossil fuels would tend to have on all the above aspects are likely to be minimized or even eradicate completely the effect of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, through the use of renewable forms of energy usually generated from water, wind and solar. It has been proven that the construction, operation and execution of renewable sources produces almost zero emissions of harmful pollutants and greenhouse gases, and this makes them safer over the non-renewable sources.

There is confidence that, the global energy systems can easily be transformed through widespread use of solar installations, wind turbines and water machines, which do not present emission of significant gases and other waste products. This could be an effective approach in eliminating the immense pollution associated with the non-renewable sources of energy used in modern transportation sector.

This normally refers to those sources of energy that are continually restored or replenished. What makes renewable sources of energy more reliable over non-renewable sources is the fact that, these forms of energy can be used as many times as they would be required.

As it would be observed, renewable sources of energy sustain a relatively high percentage of the overall human energy consumption. Many countries are gradually shifting to these forms of energy sources, considering the high costs and the many effects associated with non-renewable energy sources.

More importantly, there are many health and financial benefits that can be associated with renewable sources of energy, and this makes them the most preferred energy sources over non-renewable sources such as natural gas, coal and oil, which have continued to present immense social and health issues to the global population. Some of the common examples of renewable energy sources would include things like wind power, geothermal power, solar power, biomass power, and hydropower.

These are energy sources that can be found on earth in limited capacity, and that are likely to become extinct within a specific period of time. Non-renewable energy sources would constitute of nuclear power, natural gas, coal, and oil.

Unlike the renewable sources, it is not easy to regenerate non-renewable sources of energy for human energy consumption whenever it is necessary. Non-renewable sources of energy are classified into two main groups namely; nuclear fuel and fossil fuels. Nuclear fuel is generated out of radioactive substances that do occur naturally.

A good example of this classification is uranium which can be found in soil and rocks. These elements are transformed into energy through extraction and concentration, to produce fuel rods that can generate heat, when placed closed to each other. The heat is the form of energy here, and can be used to transform water into steam, thus producing electricity that can be used in different ways.

The above diagram illustrates the process by which nuclear fuel is generated from Uranium.

Fossil fuels, on the other hand, are energy in the form of fuels which can be extracted from the earth’s surface, where they are said to be generated through geological processes on dead matter. Examples of fossil fuels include materials such as natural gas and oil, which tend to undergo millions of years to form under the earth’s surface.

It is believed that, both gas and oil are generated from the remains of dead living things in the bottom of seas, which have been covered by layers of other sediments. According to study findings, it may take many millions of years for gas and oil to form under the earth’s surface, before they eventually sieve into the earth’s surface through porous rocks.

The diagram below illustrates how gas and oil are generated from the earth’s surface.

Wind Energy

Wind energy is a form of energy whereby wind turbines are used to produce electricity for human consumption. Wind energy has been applied by humans for avery long time to perform various tasks, such pumping of water and winnowing of grains. Normally, wind turbines intended for generation of electricity are mounted on tall structures, where they can capture large masses of airflows needed to produce energy.

The power output in this resource would tend to increase as the speed of wind increases. In this regard, areas with constant and stronger winds are the most preferable sites for wind farms. Wind Power Turbines in the US are common in Alaska and New Zealand States, where the speed of wind is known to be higher than that of any other place in the country.

The global use of wind as a reliable source of energy has increased dramatically in the last few decades. Wind is not only one of the most attractive sources of energy, but it also among the cleanest sources of renewable energy, and for these reasons, it is the fastest advancing energy technology in the world. Wind energy supplies about one percent of the US electricity needs and this capacity is observed to be growing rapidly, owing to recent developments.

Advantages of Wind Energy Resources

• Wind is a clean source of energy i.e. it does not produce greenhouse gases or any other form of hazardous products that can be harmful to human and animal health.
• The energy is abundant and free to use.
• Wind turbines normally take minimal space compared to the normal power station, and therefore, it is land economical.
• Wind energy can be combined other sources of energy such as solar to provide a steady supply of energy in form of electricity.
• Wind energy is less costly compared to other forms of non-renewable energy which may need to be imported from foreign countries.
• Wind is a reliable source of energy for regions where wind is stronger and more constant.
• Wind is a relatively long-lasting source of energy for human energy needs and in that case, it is reliable and more convenient.

Disadvantages of Wind Energy Resources

• This form of energy is unreliable since winds are unpredictable in many regions.
• Construction and erection of wind turbines is obviously very expensive and time consuming.
• Many people are yet to give in to the idea of wind energy as an efficient source of energy, and for that reason, there would be amid protests against development of wind farms in some regions.
• Wind turbines can sometimes be very noisy, and in that case, they are not fit in residential areas.
• According to recent studies, wind turbines are observed to be among the largest killers of birds in many regions of the world, where they are applied.

Solar Energy

This is the use of sunlight to generate electricity which can be used for lighting, heating, and cooling purposes in our homes. As it would be observed, solar energy, which comes from the sun, is a significant source of energy, since it influences all the other forms of renewable energy in a number of ways.

For instance, heat and light from the sun plays a crucial role in the growth of plants which can in turn be used for the generation of biomass energy. More importantly, solar heat also plays a key role in evaporation and precipitation cycles which are essential for the generation of hydropower.

A good example of popular solar energy resources is the Copper Mountain Solar Facility, situated in Nevada, near Boulder City. The facility caters for different energy needs in the area including lighting and heating purposes. A less percentage of solar energy is used to meet various energy needs in the contemporary world, compared to other renewable sources. However, this attitude is likely to take a different course, considering the rapid developments of efficient and reliable solar technologies.

Advantages of Solar Energy Resources

• Solar energy can be associated with minimal environmental impacts.
• Just like the wind power, solar energy is absolutely free.
• Solar systems are durable and they don’t require any form of maintenance or repair.
• Solar energy industry has created jobs for many people allover the world.
• Another impressive aspect about the solar energy sector is that, modern solar systems are designed for particular needs and this makes it a diverse source of energy in different areas of operation.

Disadvantages of Solar Energy Resources

• Solar energy has a high unreliability factor, since solar light is only available during the day.
• Solar energy is highly inefficiency since it produces minimal levels of electricity.
• Installation of solar energy systems can be costly, and this is one common limitation about the development of the systems in many parts of the world.
• Another outstanding limitation of solar energy is that, solar panels are bulky.

Water Energy/ Hydro Power

This is a form of energy which is generated by the powerful force of flowing water. Water flowing downstream is used to drive power wheels or turbines beneath the water surface to generate mechanical processes that are capable of producing electricity. Water is arguably the most common source of energy in most parts of the world, due to its efficient and reliability. Examples of major Hydro Powers include the Aswan High Dam in Egypt and The Grand Coulee Dam in Washington, USA.

Advantages of Hydro Power Resources

• Hydro Power is the least expensive source of energy for many people in the contemporary world.
• There is no air pollution or emission of greenhouse gases in Hydro Power generation.
• Storage of pumped hydro power energy is possible.
• Hydro Power has a high load factor compared with other energy resources.
• This source of energy is much reliable compared to other renewable energy resources.
• Hydro Power Plants are observed to have a relatively longer life compared to Nuclear Power Plants.

Disadvantages of Hydro Power Resources

• Construction of dams for Hydro Power generations has been linked increased earthquake vulnerability in some countries.
• Hydro Power comes with high risks of dam failure and/or tail risks.
• Fishes and wildlife are likely to be affected as a result of water and ecological destruction for purposes of hydroelectric generation.
• There is always a possibility of displacement and loss of livelihood for many people, as land is acquired for construction of Hydro Power stations.
• Construction of dams and Hydro Power stations is expensive.

Biomass Power

This refers to the form of energy which is obtained from plant material. Biomass is either used for direct heating or burning of wood to generate electricity energy, or is converted into liquid fuels to cater for massive fuel needs in the transportation sector. Biomass power is observed to be the second important renewable energy source in the US. One of the major biomass plants in the US is the Tracey Biomass Plant, located in California.

This plant supplies for various energy needs in the region. It has been predicted that, growing and cultivation of high-yielding energy plants can significantly help in the development of biomass energy resources in the world. These, coupled with modern high-efficient technologies in the energy sector can supplement the global consumption of non-renewable forms of energy such as fossils, thus helping to address the progressive issue of global warming.

Advantages of Biomass Power Resources

• Biomass is a comparatively lesser polluting form of producing energy and fuel.
• Apart from energy, Biomass also provides manure for farming purposes.
• This is a much reliable and a relatively cheaper source of energy for home use.
• Biomass is renewable.
• Biomass is more cost effective compared to other sources of renewable and non-renewable energy.
• Growth of biomass plants helps in cleaning the atmosphere by absorbing carbon dioxide from the air and releasing oxygen to the air.
• There is a high potential to generate biomass energy in many parts of the world, since plant matter is readily available everywhere.
• This source of energy also plays a significant role in maintaining cleanliness as well as in reducing disposal costs in towns and villages.

Disadvantages of Biomass Power Resources

• Biomass is reserved for the rich, since the cost of erecting a biogas plant is relatively high.
• Biogas plants and residue normally produces bad smells, which may be uncomfortable to many people.
• Construction of biogas plants requires great expertise, and many biogas plants end up operating in an efficient way, due to improper construction.
• Constant supply of biomass is essential for continuous generation of energy.
• Transportation and storage of biomass power through pipe system over long distances is quite difficult.
• Storage of biogas energy in cylinders is not easy.

Geothermal Energy Resources

This is the production of heat and electricity using the natural sources of heat found within the earth’s surface. In most cases, geothermal energy is produced using hot water or steam erupting from the ground. Geothermal energy can also be obtained through drilling, whereby deep underground reservoirs are accessed for generation of energy.

There are various geothermal technologies that are currently in use in most parts of the world, and these would include; geothermal heat pumps, direct-use systems, and the use of deep reservoirs to generate energy in form of electricity. Utah Geothermal Plant, located in Beaver County is one of the oldest and popular geothermal plants in the US.

Advantages of Geothermal Energy Resources

• Geothermal energy significantly reduces reliance of fossil fuels and other non-renewable resources of energy.
• It is an effective way of saving energy costs.
• It generates clean energy which is free from pollution.
• This source of energy is associated with immense economic benefits, since it plays a crucial role in creation of employment opportunities.
• Geothermal energy is more efficient, since it can be used directly for home and office-related tasks.

Disadvantages of Geothermal Energy Resources

• Drilling of geothermal energy is often associated with hazardous and poisonous gases.
• Most of the geothermal plants are far from specific areas such as big cities and town, where it is highly needed.
• Steam power installation is expensive and costly.
• Generation of geothermal energy is obviously too small to cater for energy needs of the people in the surrounding regions.
• Among other hazardous risks, generation of geothermal energy is known to pose serious dangers of volcano eruptions.
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

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1. IvyPanda . "The Concept of Energy." December 5, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/energy/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "The Concept of Energy." December 5, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/energy/.

• Renewable Energy: Geothermal Energy
• Geothermal Energy: What Is It and How Does It Work?
• Is it Time to Put Geothermal Energy Development on the Fast Track?
• Geothermal Energy and Its Application in the Middle East
• The Benefits of Renewable and Non-Renewable Energy
• Enhancement Of Geothermal Electricity Production In Africa: The Kenya’s Perspective
• Geothermal Energy in Eden Project
• Hydro Energy Advantages and Disadvantages
• Geothermal Project in Eden
• The Renewable and Non-renewable Electricity Sources
• Threats to Water Availability in Canada
• Deforestation Problem
• Wind Energy: The Use of Wind Turbines
• Water Pollution: Causes, Effects and Possible Solutions
• Pesticide Usage and Water Scarcity

Geography Notes

Essay on geothermal energy: top 11 essays | energy management.

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Here is a compilation of essays on ‘Geothermal Energy’ for class 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12. Find paragraphs, long and short essays on ‘Geothermal Energy’ especially written for school and college students.

Essay on Geothermal Energy

Essay Contents:

• Essay on the Effect of Geothermal Energy on Environment

Essay # 1. Introduction to Geothermal Energy:

Geothermal energy is the earth’s natural heat available inside the earth. This thermal energy contained in the rock and fluid that filled up fractures and pores in the earth’s crust can profitably be used for various purposes. Heat from the Earth, or geothermal — Geo (Earth) + thermal (heat) — energy can be and is accessed by drilling water or steam wells in a process similar to drilling for oil.

Geothermal resources range from shallow ground to hot water and rock several miles below the Earth’s surface, and even farther down to the extremely hot molten rock called magma. Mile-or-more-deep wells can be drilled into underground reservoirs to tap steam and very hot water that can be brought to the surface for use in a variety of applications.

This geothermal energy originates from the original formation of the planet, from radioactive decay of minerals, from volcanic activity and from solar energy absorbed at the surface. It has been used for bathing since Paleolithic times and for space heating since ancient Roman times, but is now better known for generating electricity.

Worldwide, about 10,715 megawatts (MW) of geothermal power is online in 24 countries. An additional 28 gigawatts of direct geothermal heating capacity is installed for district heating, space heating, spas, industrial processes, desalination and agricultural applications.

India has reasonably good potential for geothermal; the potential geothermal provinces can produce approximately 10,600 MW of power.

Geothermal power is cost effective, reliable, sustainable, and environmentally friendly, but has historically been limited to areas near tectonic plate boundaries. Recent technological advances have dramatically expanded the range and size of viable resources, especially for applications such as home heating, opening a potential for widespread exploitation.

Geothermal wells release greenhouse gases trapped deep within the earth, but these emissions are much lower per energy unit than those of fossil fuels. As a result, geothermal power has the potential to help mitigate global warming if widely deployed in place of fossil fuels.

The earth’s geothermal resources are theoretically more than adequate to supply humanity’s energy needs, but only a very small fraction may be profitably exploited. Drilling and exploration for deep resources is very expensive. Forecasts for the future of geothermal power depend on assumptions about technology, energy prices, subsidies, and interest rates.

Essay # 2. History of Geothermal Energy Worldwide:

The oldest known pool fed by a hot spring, built in the Qin dynasty in the 3rd century BC.

Hot springs have been used for bathing at least since Paleolithic times. The oldest known spa is a stone pool on China’s Lisan mountain built in the Qin dynasty in the 3rd century BC, at the same site where the Huaqing Chi palace was later built. In the first century AD, Romans conquered Aquae Sulis, now Bath, Somerset, England, and used the hot springs there to feed public baths and underfloor heating.

The admission fees for these baths probably represent the first commercial use of geothermal power. The world’s oldest geothermal district heating system in Chaudes-Aigues, France, has been operating since the 14th century. The earliest industrial exploitation began in 1827 with the use of geyser steam to extract boric acid from volcanic mud in Larderello, Italy.

In 1892, America’s first district heating system in Boise, Idaho was powered directly by geothermal energy, and was copied in Klamath Falls, Oregon in 1900. A deep geothermal well was used to heat greenhouses in Boise in 1926, and geysers were used to heat greenhouses in Iceland and Tuscany at about the same time. Charlie Lieb developed the first down-hole heat exchanger in 1930 to heat his house. Steam and hot water from geysers began heating homes in Iceland starting in 1943.

Global geothermal electric capacity. Upper red line is installed capacity; lower green line is realized production.

In the 20th century, demand for electricity led to the consideration of geothermal power as a generating source. Prince Piero Ginori Conti tested the first geothermal power generator on 4 July 1904, at the same Larderello dry steam field where geothermal acid extraction began.

It successfully lit four light bulbs. Later, in 1911, the world’s first commercial geothermal power plant was built there. It was the world’s only industrial producer of geothermal electricity until New Zealand built a plant in 1958.

By this time, Lord Kelvin had already invented the heat pump in 1852, and Heinrich Zoelly had patented the idea of using it to draw heat from the ground in 1912. But it was not until the late 1940s that the geothermal heat pump was successfully implemented. The earliest one was probably Robert C. Webber’s home-made 2.2 kW direct-exchange system, but sources disagree as to the exact timeline of his invention.

J. Donald Kroeker designed the first commercial geothermal heat pump to heat the Commonwealth Building (Portland, Oregon) and demonstrated it in 1946. Professor Carl Nielsen of Ohio State University built the first residential open loop version in his home in 1948. The technology became popular in Sweden as a result of the 1973 oil crisis, and has been growing slowly in worldwide acceptance since then.

In 1960, Pacific Gas and Electric began operation of the first successful geothermal electric power plant in the United States at The Geysers in California. The original turbine lasted for more than 30 years and produced 11 MW net power.

The binary cycle power plant was first demonstrated in 1967 in the U.S.S.R. and later introduced to the U.S. in 1981. This technology allows the generation of electricity from much lower temperature resources than previously. In 2006, a binary cycle plant in Chena Hot Springs, Alaska, came on-line, producing electricity from a record low fluid temperature of 57°C (135°F).

Installed geothermal electric capacity as of 2007 is around 10000 MW. The main countries having major electric generation installed capacities (as of 2007) are USA (3000MW), Philippines(2000MW), Indonesia (1000MW), Mexico (1000MW), Italy (900 MW), Japan(600MW), New Zealand (500MW), Iceland (450MW). The other region includes the Latin American countries, African countries and Russia.

Essay # 3. Formation of Geothermal Resources:

Geothermal energy is made up of heat from the earth. Underneath the earth’s relatively, thin crust, temperature range from 1000-4000°C and in some areas, pressures exceed 20,000 psi. Geothermal energy is most likely generated from radioactive, thorium, potassium and uranium dispersed evenly through the earth’s interior which produce heat as part of the decaying process. This process generates enough heat to keep the lose of the earth at temperature approaching 4000°C.

Composed primarily of molten Ni and Fe the core is surrounded by a layer of molten rock, the mantle at approx. 1000°C. Nine major crystal plates float on the mantle, and currents in the mantle cause the plates to drift, colliding in some areas and diverging in others.

When two continental plates coverage, a complex series of chemical reactions involving water and other substances combine to generate large bodies of molten rock called magna chamber that rise through the crust often resulting in volcanic activity. Molten rock also rises in the earth’s crust where the plates are moving away from each other and in other areas where the crust is thin.

Volcanoes, hot springs, geysers and fumaroles are natural clues as to the presence of geothermal resources near the surface and where economic drilling operations can tap their heat and pressure. Additional heat can be generated by friction as two plates converge and one moves on top of other.

Essay # 4. Types of Geothermal Resources:

There are following types of geothermal resources:

(i) Hydrothermal.

(ii) Geopressured.

(iii) Hot Dry Rock.

(iv) Active Volcanic Vents and Magna.

(i) Hydrothermal:

Hydrothermal resources contain superheated rock trapped by a layer of impermeable rock. The highest quality reserves with temperature over 240°C contain steam with little or no condensate (vapour dominated resources).

Some hydrothermal reserves are very hot ranging from 150-200°C, but roughly 2/3rd are of moderate temperature (100-180°C). Only two sizeable high quality dry steam reserves have been located to date on in the US and one in Italy. The geysers in northern California is perhaps the world’s largest dry steam field and could provide 2000 MWe capacity for upto 30 years.

(ii) Geopressured:

It contains moderate-temperature brines containing dissolved methane. They are trapped under high pressure in deep sedimentary formations sealed between impermeable layers of clay and shale. Pressures vary from 5000 to over 20,000 psi at depths of 1500 to 15000 metres. Temperature range from 90 to over 200°C, although they seldom exceed 150°C, each barrel of fluid at 10,000 psi and 150°C could contain between 20 and 50 standard cubic feed (SCF) of methane.

(iii) Hot Dry Rock:

It contains high temperature rocks, ranging from 90-650°C that may be fractured and contain little or no water. The rocks must be artificially fractured and heat transfer fluid circulated to extract their energy. Hot dry rock resources are much more extensive than hydrothermal or geo-pressured, but extracting their energy is more difficult.

(iv) Active Volcanic Vents and Magma:

It occurs in many parts of the world. Magma is molten rock at temperature ranging from 700°C to 1600°C, lying under the earth crust, the molten rock is part of the mantle and in approx. 24 to 28 km thick. Magma chambers represent a huge energy source, the largest of all geothermal resources but they rarely occur near the surface of the earth and extracting their energy is difficult.

Essay # 5. Geothermal Electricity:

As per the International Geothermal Association (IGA) sources, about 10,715 MW of geothermal power in 24 countries is online. In 2010, the United States led the world in geothermal electricity production with 3,086 MW of installed capacity from 77 power plants.

The largest group of geothermal power plants in the world is located at the Geysers, a geothermal field in California. The Philippines is the second highest producer, with 1,904 MW of capacity online. Geothermal power makes up approximately 18% of the country’s electricity generation.

Geothermal electric plants were traditionally built exclusively on the edges of tectonic plates where high temperature geothermal resources are available near the surface. The development of binary cycle power plants and improvements in drilling and extraction technology enable enhanced geothermal systems over a much greater geographical range.

Demonstration projects are operational in Landau-Pfalz, Germany, and Soultz-sous-Forest, France, while an earlier effort in Basel, Switzerland was shut down after it triggered earthquakes. Other demonstration projects are under construction in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.

The thermal efficiency of geothermal electric plants is low, around 10-23%, because geothermal fluids do not reach the high temperatures of steam from boilers. The laws of thermodynamics limits the efficiency of heat engines in extracting useful energy. Exhaust heat is wasted, unless it can be used directly and locally, for example in greenhouses, timber mills, and district heating.

System efficiency does not materially affect operational costs as it would for plants that use fuel, but it does affect return on the capital used to build the plant. In order to produce more energy than the pumps consume, electricity generation requires relatively hot fields and specialized heat cycles. Because geothermal power does not rely on variable sources of energy, unlike, for example, wind or solar, its capacity factor can be quite large – up to 96% has been demonstrated. The global average was 73% in 2005.

Essay # 6. Geothermal Power Plants Technology:

To convert geothermal energy into electrical energy, heat must be extracted first to convert it into useable form. Mile-or-more-deep wells can be drilled into underground reservoirs to tap steam and very hot water that drive turbines that drive electricity generators.

There are basically four types of geothermal power plants which are operating today. The description of these power plants is as follows:

(i) Flashed Steam Plant:

The extremely hot water from drill holes when released from the deep reservoirs high pressure steam (termed as flashed steam) is released. This force of steam is used to rotate turbines. The steam gets condensed and is converted into water again, which is returned to the reservoir. Flashed steam plants are widely distributed throughout the world.

(ii) Dry Steam Plant:

Usually geysers are the main source of dry steam. Those geothermal reservoirs which mostly produce steam and little water are used in electricity production systems. As steam from the reservoir shoots out, it is used to rotate a turbine, after sending the steam through a rock-catcher. The rock-catcher protects the turbine from rocks which come along with the steam.

(iii) Binary Power Plant:

In this type of power plant, the geothermal water is passed through a heat exchanger where its heat is transferred to a secondary liquid, namely isobutene, isopentane or ammonia-water mixture present in an adjacent, separate pipe. Due to this double-liquid heat exchanger system, it is called a binary power plant.

The secondary liquid which is also called as working fluid should have lower boiling point than water. It turns into vapour on getting required heat from the hot water. The vapour from the working fluid is used to rotate turbines.

The binary system is therefore useful in geothermal reservoirs which are relatively low in temperature gradient. Since the system is a completely closed one, there is minimum chance of heat loss. Hot water is immediately recycled back into the reservoir. The working fluid is also condensed back to the liquid and used over and over again.

(iv) Hybrid Power Plant:

Some geothermal fields produce boiling water as well as steam, which are also used in power generation. In this system of power generation, the flashed and binary systems are combined to make use of both steam and hot water. Efficiency of hybrid power plants is however less than that of the dry steam plants.

Enhanced Geothermal System:

The term enhanced geothermal systems (EGS), also known as engineered geothermal systems (formerly hot dry rock geothermal), refers to a variety of engineering techniques used to artificially create hydrothermal resources (underground steam and hot water) that can be used to generate electricity.

Traditional geothermal plants exploit naturally occurring hydrothermal reservoirs and are limited by the size and location of such natural reservoirs. EGS reduces these constraints by allowing for the creation of hydrothermal reservoirs in deep, hot but naturally dry geological formations. EGS techniques can also extend the lifespan of naturally occurring hydrothermal resources.

Given the costs and limited full-scale system research to date, EGS remains in its infancy, with only a few research and pilot projects existing around the world and no commercial-scale EGS plants to date. The technology is so promising, however, that a number of studies have found that EGS could quickly become widespread.

Essay # 7. Other Applications of Geothermal Energy:

In the geothermal industry, low temperature means temperatures of 300°F (149°C) or less. Low-temperature geothermal resources are typically used in direct-use applications, such as district heating, greenhouses, fisheries, mineral recovery, and industrial process heating. However, some low-temperature resources can generate electricity using binary cycle electricity generating technology.

Direct heating is far more efficient than electricity generation and places less demanding temperature requirements on the heat resource. Heat may come from co-generation via., a geothermal electrical plant or from smaller wells or heat exchangers buried in shallow ground.

As a result, geothermal heating is economic at many more sites than geothermal electricity generation. Where natural hot springs are available, the heated water can be piped directly into radiators. If the ground is hot but dry, earth tubes or down-hole heat exchangers can collect the heat.

But even in areas where the ground is colder than room temperature, heat can still be extracted with a geothermal heat pump more cost-effectively and cleanly than by conventional furnaces.

These devices draw on much shallower and colder resources than traditional geothermal techniques, and they frequently combine a variety of functions, including air conditioning, seasonal energy storage, solar energy collection, and electric heating. Geothermal heat pumps can be used for space heating essentially anywhere.

Geothermal heat supports many applications. District heating applications use networks of piped hot water to heat many buildings across entire communities. In Reykjavik, Iceland, spent water from the district heating system is piped below pavement and sidewalks to melt snow.

Essay # 8. Economics Related to Geothermal Energy Harnessing :

Geothermal power requires no fuel (except for pumps), and is therefore immune to fuel cost fluctuations, but capital costs are significant. Drilling accounts for over half the costs, and exploration of deep resources entails significant risks.

Unlike traditional power plants that run on fuel that must be purchased over the life of the plant, geothermal power plants use a renewable resource that is not susceptible to price fluctuations. The price of geothermal is within range of other electricity choices available today when the costs of the lifetime of the plant are considered.

Most of the costs related to geothermal power plants are related to resource exploration and plant construction. Like oil and gas exploration, it is expensive and because only one in five wells yield a reservoir suitable for development. Geothermal developers must prove that they have reliable resource before they can secure millions of dollar required to develop geothermal resources.

Although the cost of generating geothermal has decreased during the last two decades, exploration and drilling remain expensive and risky. Drilling Costs alone account for as much as one-third to one-half to the total cost of a geothermal project. Locating the best resources can be difficult; and developers may drill many dry wells before they discover a viable resource.

Because rocks in geothermal areas are usually extremely hard and hot, developers must frequently replace drilling equipment. Individual productive geothermal wells generally yield between 2 MW and 5 MW of electricity; each may cost from $1 million to $5 million to drill. A few highly productive wells are capable of producing 25 MW or more of electricity.

Transmission:

Geothermal power plants must be located near specific areas near a reservoir because it is not practical to transport steam or hot water over distances greater than two miles. Since many of the best geothermal resources are located in rural areas, developers may be limited by their ability to supply electricity to the grid. New power lines are expensive to construct and difficult to site.

Many existing transmission lines are operating near capacity and may not be able to transmit electricity without significant upgrades. Consequently, any significant increase in the number of geothermal power plants will be limited by those plants ability to connect, upgrade or build new lines to access to the power grid and whether the grid is able to deliver additional power to the market.

Direct heating applications can use much shallower wells with lower temperatures, so smaller systems with lower costs and risks are feasible. Residential geothermal heat pumps with a capacity of 10 kilowatt (kW) are routinely installed.

District heating (Cities etc.) systems may benefit from economies of scale if demand is geographically dense, as in cities, but otherwise piping installation dominates capital costs. Direct systems of any size are much simpler than electric generators and have lower maintenance costs per kW.h, but they must consume electricity to run pumps and compressors.

Essay # 9. Barriers in the Way of Geothermal Energy:

i. Finding a suitable build location.

ii. Energy source such as wind, solar and hydro are more popular and better established; these factors could make developers decided against geothermal.

iii. Main disadvantages of building a geothermal energy plant mainly lie in the exploration stage, which can be extremely capital intensive and high-risk; many companies who commission surveys are often disappointed, as quite often, the land they were interested in, cannot support a geothermal energy plant.

iv. Some areas of land may have the sufficient hot rocks to supply hot water to a power station, but many of these areas are located in harsh areas of the world (near the poles), or high up in mountains.

v. Harmful gases can escape from deep within the earth, through the holes drilled by the constructors. The plant must be able to contain any leaked gases, but disposing of the gas can be very tricky to do safely.

Essay # 10. Sustainability of Geothermal Energy:

Geothermal power is considered to be sustainable because any projected heat extraction is small compared to the Earth’s heat content. The Earth has an internal heat content of 10 31 joules (3. 10 15 TW.hr). About 20% of this is residual heat from planetary accretion, and the remainder is attributed to higher radioactive decay rates that existed in the past.

Natural heat flows are not in equilibrium, and the planet is slowly cooling down on geologic timescales. Human extraction taps a minute fraction of the natural outflow, often without accelerating it.

Even though geothermal power is globally sustainable, extraction must still be monitored to avoid local depletion. Over the course of decades, individual wells draw down local temperatures and water levels until a new equilibrium is reached with natural flows. The three oldest sites, at Larderello, Wairakei, and the Geysers have experienced reduced output because of local depletion.

Heat and water, in uncertain proportions, were extracted faster than they were replenished. If production is reduced and water is re injected, these wells could theoretically recover their full potential. Such mitigation strategies have already been implemented at some sites. The extinction of several geyser fields has also been attributed to geothermal power development.

Essay # 11. Effect of Geothermal Energy on Environment :

Fluids drawn from the deep earth carry a mixture of gases, notably carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), hydrogen sulphide (H 2 S), methane (CH 4 ) and ammonia (NH 3 ). These pollutants contribute to global warming, acid rain, and noxious smells if released.

Existing geothermal electric plants emit an average of 122 kilograms (269 lb) of CO 2 per megawatt-hour (MW-h) of electricity, a small fraction of the emission intensity of conventional fossil fuel plants. Plants that experience high levels of acids and volatile chemicals are usually equipped with emission-control systems to reduce the exhaust.

In addition to dissolved gases, hot water from geothermal sources may hold in solution trace amounts of toxic chemicals such as mercury, arsenic, boron, and antimony. These chemicals precipitate as the water cools, and can cause environmental damage if released. The modern practice of injecting cooled geothermal fluids back into the Earth to stimulate production has the side benefit of reducing this environmental risk.

Direct geothermal heating systems contain pumps and compressors, which may consume energy from a polluting source. This parasitic load is normally a fraction of the heat output, so it is always less polluting than electric heating. However, if the electricity is produced by burning fossil fuels, then the net emissions of geothermal heating may be comparable to directly burning the fuel for heat.

For example, a geothermal heat pump powered by electricity from a combined cycle natural gas plant would produce about as much pollution as a natural gas condensing furnace of the same size. Therefore the environmental value of direct geothermal heating applications is highly dependent on the emissions intensity of the neighbouring electric grid.

Plant construction can adversely affect land stability Enhanced geothermal systems can trigger earthquakes as part of hydraulic fracturing.

Geothermal has minimal land and freshwater requirements. Geothermal plants use 3.5 square kilometres (1.4 sq mi) per gigawatt of electrical production (not capacity) versus 32 and 12 square kilometres (4.6 sq mi) for coal facilities and wind farms respectively. They use 20 litres (5.3 US gal) of freshwater per MW-h versus over 1,000 litres (260 US gal) per MW-h for nuclear, coal, or oil.

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Solar Energy Essay

500 words essay on solar energy.

Solar energy is the energy which the earth receives from the sun which converts into thermal or electrical energy. Moreover, solar energy influences the climate of the earth and weather to sustain life. It has great potential which we must use to our advantage fully. Through the solar energy essay, we will look at this in detail and know more about it carefully.

Importance of Solar Energy

Solar energy is very important as it is a clean and renewable source of energy. Thus, this means it will not damage the earth in any way. In addition, it is available on a daily basis. Similarly, it does not cause any kind of pollution.

As it is environment-friendly, it is very important in today’s world. It is so much better than other pollution sources of energies like fossil fuels and more. Further, it has low maintenance costs.

Solar panel systems do not require a lot of solar power energy. Moreover, they come with 5-10 years of warranty which is very beneficial. Most importantly, it reduces the cost of electricity bills.

In other words, we use it mostly for cooking and heating up our homes. Thus, it drops the utility bills cost and helps us save some extra money. Further, solar energy also has many possible applications.

A lot of communities and villages make use of solar energy to power their homes, offices and more. Further, we can use it in areas where there is no access to a power grid. For instance, distilling the water is Africa and powering the satellites in space.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Uses of Solar Energy

In today’s world, we use solar energy for a lot of things. Firstly, we use solar power for many things as small as calculators to as big as power plants which power the entire city. We use the most common solar power for small things.

For instance, many calculators use solar cells to operate, thus they never run out of batteries. Moreover, we also have some watches which run on solar cells. Similarly, there are also radios which run on solar cells.

Thus, you see so many things run on solar power. All satellites run on solar power otherwise they won’t be able to function. Moreover, large desalinization plants make use of solar power if there is little or no freshwater.

In addition, many countries have solar furnaces. We also use solar power commercially and residentially. You will find its uses in transportation service too. In fact, soon, solar powers will also be out on the streets.

Conclusion of Solar Energy Essay

To sum it up, solar energy is a cost-effective means of energy which is quite useful for people that have huge families. When we install solar panels, we can get solar energy which will reduce electricity costs and allow us to lead a sustainable lifestyle. Thus, we must all try to use it well to our advantage.

FAQ of Solar Energy Essay

Question 1: What is solar energy in simple words?

Answer 1: Solar energy is basically the transformation of heat, the energy which is derived from the sun. We have been using it for thousands of years in numerous different ways all over the world. The oldest uses of solar energy are for heating, cooking, and drying.

Question 2: What are the advantages of solar energy?

Answer 2: There are many advantages of solar energy. Firstly, it is a renewable source of energy which makes it healthy. Moreover, it also reduces the electricity bills of ours. After that, we can also use it for diverse applications. Further, it also has low maintenance costs.

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