Geothermal Power - Research Proposal Example

Geothermal Power Author Name Affiliation City, State, Country Table of Contents Introduction 3 Utilization 5 Advantages 6 Current disadvantages 8 Research problems and goals 9 Future prospect 10 Conclusion 11 References 12 Introduction Geothermal power is energy obtained from the earth’s internal heat as a result of the thermal energy that is contained in rocks and fluids that lie beneath the earth’s crust. It may sometimes occur in shallow grounds but usually go as far as several miles beneath the surface up to the very hot molten magma. It is formed as a result of the transfer of the water features that find their way up to the surface with regard to interaction with interior areas of the earth. This result into underground reservoirs of both hot water and steam which are then harnessed using geothermal heat pump system into geothermal power. There are two main sources of geothermal energy, namely; solar radiation stored in the earth’s bedding surface upon transmission through the earth and the energy from the earth’s inner and hot core that is transmitted by conduction to the upper layers of the earth. Currently, geothermal power is produced in more than 20 nations all over the world ( Savage, 2007). The first nation to put to use this form of energy is Italy in 1913 with its production plant situated in Larderello and producing 250 KWe. This was followed by the US in 1960 which is the world’s biggest producer (30 GW) whose largest production sites are located at The Geysers North of San Francisco in the state of California. Indonesia is the world’s second largest producer at 27.79 GW while Japan, which rolled its operations in 1966, is third with the main production sites situated in the East and West Volcanic Belts producing 23.47 GW. In the production of geothermal energy, wells, up to 1600 metres are bored into the underground reservoir in order to tap steam and hot water that are used in driving turbines coupled to electricity generators ( Savage, 2007). We have three primary types of geothermal power production plants. The first one being flash plants where hot water under high pressure is cooled to low pressure and the steam that results from the cooling is used to drive the turbine. The second one is dry steam (which is the oldest technology) whereby steam is taken out of fractures that occur in the ground and is used to drive the turbine directly. The last one is the binary plant in which a secondary fluid having a boiling point lower than that of water is passed over hot water, causing it to turn to vapour and hence drives the turbine. . Figure 1 Geothermal power plant in operation Figure 1 shows a geothermal power plant in operation emitting exhaust steam to the atmosphere. Figure 2 schematic illustration of geothermal power gereration Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of geothermal power production from the well to its distribution to the consumers. Utilization Depending on temperature of the reservoir, there are a number of ways to utilize the various forms of geothermal energy. Some of them are discussed below. Ground heat (10 to 20 ℃): The fact that ground temperatures are relatively constant annually, heat pump can be used to tap this ground heat that can be utilized for various functions such as heating and cooling systems for buildings and melting snow on roads. Low to medium temperature resources (below 200℃): Low vaporizing point geothermal liquids such as ammonia water and pentane can be used for binary power production to rotate turbines using steam to produce electricity other than the direct use of hydrothermal water such as hot springs. High temperature resources (200 to 350℃): High temperature and pressure steam can be accessed through boring down to geothermal reservoirs that occur at about 1000 metres below the surface of the earth and can be used to turn turbines in order to generate electricity. The table below depicts the world’s usage of geothermal power either electric or direct . Advantages According to Savage (2007) geothermal energy has numerous advantages compared to solar, wind, coal, and hydroelectric power among other forms of energy. Some of the advantages are discussed below. It is environmentally clean and friendly. Geothermal energy plants emit low or almost zero greenhouse gases like sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and carbon dioxide to the ambient during electricity generation compared to thermal power plants which require supplementary fuels like fossil fuels with high carbon content. Besides, minimal disruption is made to the environment by the various processes that are undertaken to harness this type of energy source in a bid to produce electric power. Also, very few pollutants and chemicals feature during electricity production. It is a reliable source of energy. The production plants are unaffected by weather conditions and night cycle/day. Compared to solar or wind plants whose operating rates are 12% and 20% respectively, geothermal power plants operate at 70% because unlike the two, it is not affected by the fluctuating hot and cold weather, air movement or alternating short and long nights. It is a renewable source of energy. Geothermal energy is almost infinite because it is available in a particular place for anywhere between five thousand and one million years. This big time span makes it almost infinite and therefore will be able to live longer than most alternatives to fossil fuel. Low power plants maintenance costs. The power plants generally do not involve much running costs since there is no fossil fuel demanded for its operation. Therefore, the only operating costs involved are transportation, purchasing and cleaning up of plants costs which are basically quite low compared to other expensive energy ventures like thermal power. This helps to significantly save the total costs by 80%. Less operating space required. The geothermal energy power stations do not consume much space for installation and operation. This ensures that they conserve natural resources since have less impact on the surrounding environment. It can be put into direct use. The hot water and steam can be put into direct applications both domestically and commercially. These include; preparing food, bathing, direct heating of offices and homes among other various applications of hot water and steam. This in turn makes it cheaper and affordable than other forms of power especially on long term basis. It reduces the over-dependence on the fossil fuels. Dependence on fossil fuels comes with acute economic challenges especially in the generation of electricity due to escalating oil prices. Besides, the combustion of these fuels in the environment results to serious challenges like global warming. It is cost effective. Geothermal power, compared to other alternatives to fossil fuels, are cost effective when set up especially in areas of high geological activities where the hot magma is closer to the earth’s crust. In addition, such power stations are relatively complex and smaller than their alternative counterparts. It helps in adding land value. The geothermal power generating power stations are often set up in areas experiencing high geological activity and tectonic zones. In such locations, land values tend to be low because agricultural activities like farming among other land use practices are so low or minimal. It helps in creating job opportunities. Many countries within active tectonic zones have experienced a great boost in their job market especially to the local communities where geothermal power stations have been set up. This has been very beneficial to countries that are facing acute job shortages especially among the youth. Current disadvantages Geothermal power, as seen above, has a number of advantages that arise as a result of its use in myriad ways ( Savage, 2007). However, just like any other power source, it experiences a number of drawbacks some of which are discussed below. It is not a wide spread source of energy. Geothermal power faces the challenges of unavailability of the necessary equipment, staff adequacy and training, infrastructure and these hinder its installation worldwide. This is as a result of scarcely used form of energy. Man power availability and suitable plant location pose serious challenges when it comes to adopting this kind of energy globally. In order to harness geothermal energy, heavy installation of plant machinery and equipment is required so as to penetrate to the steam that occurs deep within the earth and this calls for a big one time investment and a certified installer is required to execute this. Besides, skilled labour ought to be recruited in the plant locations. Furthermore, electricity towers and transmission equipment must be set up in order to move the power from the production plant to the end consumers. Geothermal is only suitable and viable to particular geographical areas. Geothermal power is not universally available but only possible in areas that have hot rocks occurring below the earth which can generate steam over a very long period of time. Furthermore, such rocks ought to be within a reasonable depth in order to make drilling down to reach them a feasible option. This in turn calls for extensive and consequently expensive research and survey by the companies before the actual setting up of the plant. In addition, some of these locations are in hilly or mountainous and therefore poses challenges of accessibility. The wells can run out of steam. Sometimes geothermal power sites may run out of steam over a given time period as a result of temperature drop or in the event that too much cold water is injected that in turn cool the hot rocks necessary to produce steam. Consequently, this may result in a lot of financial losses to companies that have already invested much in this type of venture. It may emit harmful gases to the ambient. During the drilling process, some poisonous gases from deep within the earth may escape in the geothermal sites and consequently to the environment. These include hydrogen sulphide, sulphur dioxide among others. The geothermal power plant must therefore be able to contain such toxic and harmful gaseous emissions. This form of energy faces a great challenge when it comes to its transportation after generation unlike other sources like coal wood or oil that can be transported to any residential area. This usually calls for very expensive transportation pylons and equipment because most production sites are situated far from the consumers. Geothermal results in increased ground instability in an area. In regions where geothermal power plants are set up, the ground tends to be very unstable due to the different procedures employed in pumping water. Therefore even earthquakes of low intensity may increase ground instability. It may result to contamination of ground water. The drilling of the geothermal power wells may result to ground water contamination in the event that the wells are not properly sealed up at steel tubes and great depths. Further, geothermal may cause visual pollution. Geothermal power stations, just like many other power stations may be unsightly due to the exhaust steam emitted to the air. This may lead to visual pollution. Geothermal also poses the danger of eruption of volcano. Geothermal energy plants are normally situated in active volcanic sites. This makes them prone to volcanic eruption which may be detrimental to both life and property. Research problems and goals The main aim of this research is to examine the ongoing research and developments in the exploration, exploitation and harvesting of geothermal energy. The goals include the advantages and disadvantages that accrue as a result of exploitation of geothermal energy, its utilization both commercially and domestic and potential future prospects. Future prospect The future prospect of geothermal power companies is promisingly brighter and brighter everyday because of various reasons. Some of them are discussed below. Currently, there is an ongoing study and research on a new technology known as enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) .In this study, researchers have been successful in the extraction of heat for electricity generation by boring down to the depths of magma and hot rocks. Once this technology is comes into practical use, it will boost the production of a large amount of geothermal energy. Further, Savage (2007) points out that geothermal power producing companies are gaining their way in the power sector at a high rate because other forms of energy like coal, oil, natural gas, among others are limited in supply beneath the earth and this supply is gradually being depleted. This favours renewable energy sources like geothermal power which are efficient and effective. Presently, geothermal energy companies are drilling wells in a bid to determine and evaluate the potential of geological areas in providing steam and heat. This will be useful in determining the possibility of constructing geothermal plants within volcanic zones. Therefore more research and study have been geared towards this course. The need for cleaner forms of power in the US and other countries due to the ongoing environmental protection and conservation campaigns as a result of increasing global warming and the effect of green house gases has continued to call for the demand of renewable sources of energy like geothermal power. This in turn has attracted most investors in geothermal power sector and has thus boosted more research and developments in the exploration and exploitation of geothermal power. There has been a growing increase in global power demand due to increased industrialization and population. This has led to dependence and increased strain on fossil fuels and other sources of power. As a result, there has been growing demand for other alternative forms of energy like geothermal power. This has therefore boosted the exploration and utilization of geothermal energy as an appropriate substitute to the expensive forms of energy. Very soon the geothermal power companies will rise to the top of the energy ladder given such significant advantages. With the earth’s inner core temperature at about 6000 ˚C and given that about 99% of the earth’s volume has a temperature of more than 1000 0 C, there is a lot of geothermal energy within the earth’s interior that should be potentially tapped. This is evidenced by several hot springs and volcanic eruptions occurring around the world. This boosts the exploration of geothermal energy in such regions to cope with the growing demand for energy globally. Conclusion In conclusion, geothermal energy has been of great benefit globally due to the above discussed advantages over other forms and types of energy and should therefore be explored and harnessed to achieve its full potential to meet the world’s fast growing industrialization and population energy demands especially in regions and zones where it is available. More research and development should be geared towards exploration, exploitation and harvesting of geothermal power which is a naturally available energy resource posing minimal challenges to the worlds natural resource endowment as highlighted earlier on. The fact that geothermal power is a less environment pollutant, is clean, is renewable, is cost effective, is reliable and can be put into direct use as opposed to other forms of energy, it should be maximized in areas where it can be produced. Future geothermal advancements will call for emphasis being laid on combined heat and power plants particularly those plants that are using low temperature fluids up to 100 ℃. This will boost the efficiency and economics of such systems as practiced in countries like Austria, Germany and Alaska. Besides, there has been increased interest in agricultural refrigeration and crop drying in the tropical regions to preserve agricultural products that otherwise go into waste. In addition, there is need for installation and utilization of geothermal heat pumps since they can be used worldwide. References SAVAGE, L. (2007). Geothermal power. Detroit, Mich, Greenhaven Press. Read More