Several sources for obtaining energy have been used for a long time. They are known as conventional sources of energy, such as hydroelectric, thermoelectric, fossil fuels, among others. These either produce disastrous effects on the environment or are on the way to depletion, or both. This means that it is necessary to make new energy sources viable, as energy consumption in the world increases alarmingly.
Energy production in the 21st century must prioritize renewable resources and must be oriented towards not harming our environment.
Among the renewable energy sources is Geothermal energy. This energy is generated by heat coming from the Earth's interior, which is transported to a power plant and transformed into electricity.
The temperature of the earth's crust increases by an average of 1º C every 30 meters of depth. In some places this variation occurs every 10 meters or even less.
Groundwater, coming into contact with subterranean rocks at high temperatures, heats up, rising to the surface at high temperatures. In some regions of the planet, water appears at temperatures above 60º C, either in the form of a jet of water (geysers) or in the form of lakes.
In Yellowstone National Park, in the United States, there are about 200 geysers, which periodically spew boiling water and steam. This period can be seconds or weeks.
The energy responsible for this heating is of volcanic origin. The use of this energy for heating at home and obtaining electricity has been carried out for some time in the world.
Through tubes, the steam from these sources is taken to a Geothermal plant. As in a conventional power plant, thermoelectric, for example, steam under high pressure causes the turbine blades to rotate like a fan. This movement generates mechanical energy that is transformed into electrical energy through a generator.
The main difference between a geothermal plant and a conventional thermoelectric plant is that in geothermal it is not necessary to burn of fuels to obtain electricity, which significantly reduces the amount of pollutants released into the atmosphere.
By Kléber Cavalcante
Graduated in Physics
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/fisica/energia-geotermica.htm
