Tuesday, May 30, 2017

What waste is produced as a result of obtaining or using geothermal energy?

Using geothermal energy may cause emissions of gases into the atmosphere. The amount of gases emitted into the atmosphere depends on the technology used within a hydrothermal energy plant. Hydrothermal plants produce geothermal energy.


Geothermal energy is produced by heat energy stored within the Earth (“geo” = Earth, "thermal" = heat). Hydrothermal energy plants reside over or near locations where molten rock heats water that is close to the Earth’s crust. Although the technology used...

Using geothermal energy may cause emissions of gases into the atmosphere. The amount of gases emitted into the atmosphere depends on the technology used within a hydrothermal energy plant. Hydrothermal plants produce geothermal energy.


Geothermal energy is produced by heat energy stored within the Earth (“geo” = Earth, "thermal" = heat). Hydrothermal energy plants reside over or near locations where molten rock heats water that is close to the Earth’s crust. Although the technology used amongst various hydrothermal energy plants varies, most use this hot water to spin a turbine that generates energy.


Hydrothermal plants can have closed-loop or open-loop water systems. Closed-loop systems contain the water and steam that is extracted from the geothermal reservoir within steel casings. Therefore, closed-loop systems do not expose gases that are extracted from the reservoir to the atmosphere. Instead, the gases and water are returned back to the ground after the heat is used for energy.


Open-loop systems do not contain the water and steam as well. As a result, carbon dioxide, methane, boron, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, and other gases are emitted into the atmosphere. Such emissions may contribute to global warming and/or acid rain.

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