Geothermal energy
Write a note on Geothermal energy.
ANS:
* Geothermal energy is the energy obtained from the heat of the earth.
* Geothermal energy does note depend directly or indirectly on solar energy.
* The interior region of the earth below its crust is very hot and it consists of molten rocks called 'magma'. Magma is in semisolid state.
* The geological changes push this semiliquid magma towards upper surface and it gets collected at some depth below the surface of the earth. These places are called 'hot spots'. Hot spots are considered as the source of geothermal energy.
* When the underground water comes in contact of such hot spots, it turns into steam which is trapped in the space between rocks and becomes compressed due to high pressure.
* This steam can be collected by introducing after drilling holes. These pipes reach upto the depth of hot spots. The steam coming up through the pipes can be used to run turbines.
* Sometimes the steam finds its way through the cracks in the crust and comes up to the surface in the form of geysers. The steam from such geysers has the temperature of about 150 -200°C.
* Geothermal energy is an ecofriendly source of energy and the cost of electricity generated from it is almost half of that of the electricity generated nusing conventional methods.
* ADVANTAGES:
1. This energy can be used for 24 hours throughout the year.
2. The cost of production is comparatively low.
3. It is eco-friendly, i.e. pollution-free.
* A large number of geysers is found in USA and New Zealand but we have limited places in India for geothermal energy.
* In Gujarat, we have geysers at places like Unai, Tulsi Shyam in Saurashtra, and Lasundra and Tuva villages in Godhra District.
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