European Pupils
Magazine
Robert Paduretu, Gabriel Todoran
Mihaela Vestineanu
Politehnica University, Bucharest, Romania
robertcristian.paduretu@gmail.com
Geothermal Energy
Geothermal Energy is the heat from the Earth’s
interior able to be converted to other forms of en-
ergy. The surface expression of this energy is
manifested in volcanoes, fumaroles, steam
geysers, hot springs, and boiling mud
pools. Geothermal energy is based on the
natural internal heat generation, the Earth’s
surface heats at 82MW/m2. Comparing this
figure with the daily global energy consump-
tion for all types of energy (equivalent to 100
million barrels of oil/day) results that har-
vesting energy from proximately 10 km
depth, all estimated energy needs for the
next six million years would be solved, as
the temperature within the Earth increases
with 30 ˚C/km reported to the ambient tempera-
ture.
Collecting worldwide geographical data
made possible the design of global heat-
flow maps, indicating the highest heat
zones, mainly along the active geological
plate boundaries. It is pretty obvious that the
geothermal energy is nourished mainly from the
volcanic most active regions, even if the
principle of the method can be put in place
all over the world (regardless the forages,
capture and conversion costs, drilling deep
enough the temperature will increase with
30 ˚C/km from any point of this planet).
Geothermal Energy Historic
Geothermal Water has been used for at
least 10.000 years for cooking, space heating
or bathing from natural pools and hot
springs. Ancient civilizations raised next
these natural energy sources (Romans, Japa-
nese, Persian, Icelanders, Central Europeans
and Maori of New Zealand). Industrial Revolu-
tion coincides with the first acknowledged applica-
tions in industry using geothermal energy for ex-
tracting boric acid (early 1800s, in Italy) or devel-
oping the world’s first geothermal district heating
system, which is still working in our days (in
France) and a geothermal converter providing
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Energia Geotermala
Energia Geotermala reprezinta caldura din
interiorul Pamantului ce poate fi convertita in alte
forme de energie. Aceasta energie poate fi
evidentiata in vulcane, gheizere, izvoare
fierbinti si vulcani noroiosi. Energia
Geotermala se bazeaza pe procesul natural
de producere a caldurii in interiorul scoartei
terestre, suprafata interioara a Pamantului
atingand 82MW/m2. Comparand aceasta
valoare cu consumul mondial zilnic al tuturor
tipurilor de energie (echivalent cu 100 mil
barili de petrol/zi), rezulta ca energia
captata de la o adancime de aproximativ 10
km poate rezolva necesarul energetic al
urmatorilor 6 mil ani, avand in vedere ca
temperatura in interiorul Pamantului creste cu
30 ˚C/km reportat la temperatura mediului
ambiant.
La nivel global au fost realizate harti, din
date geofizice, care arata ca zonele cu cel
mai mare flux de caldura apar de-a lungul
granitelor placilor active. Ca urmare, exista o
relatie stransa intre sursele de energie
Geotermala si regiunile active din punct de
vedere vulcanic.
Istoria Energiei Geotermale
Apa Geotermala este folosita de mai bine de
10.000 ani pentru gatit, incalzirea locuintelor
sau imbaiere in iazuri sau izvoare fierbinti.
Civilizatiile antice s-au dezvoltat in preajma
unor astfel de resurse naturale de energie
(Romani, Japonezi, Persi, Islandezi,
Europeni din Europa Centrala si Maori
din Zoua Zeelenda). Odata cu Revolutia
Industriala a aparut si prima aplicatie in
industrie ce folosea energia Geotermala pentru a
extrage acidul boric (la inceputul anilor 1800, in
Italia). Incalzirea unui cartier cu un sistem
geotermal a aparut in aceeasi perioada in Franta,
sistem care mai functioneaza si in zilele noastre, si
inca din 1892 a fost realizat un convertor geotermal
care continua sa asigure caldura pentru incalzirea a
pana la 450 locuinte, (in Statele Unite ale
 European Pupils
Magazine
Geothermal Energy
heating for up to 450 homes, since 1892 (in United Americii, la Izvoarele Calde, Idaho).
States of America, at Warm Springs, Idaho) Resursele geotermale sunt folosite in doua tipuri
Geothermal resources are used in two types of aplicatii:
applications:  Producerea curentului electric, folosind aburul
 Electric Power Production, using the steam that care este asigurat de apa fierbinte, ce invarte
is provided by the boiling water which spins a turbinele unor generatoare electrice. Prima statie
number of electrical genera- de producere a curentului
tors turbines. The first geo- electric din surse geotermale
thermal power station began a fost inaugurata in Italia, la
operation in Italy, in the early sfarsitul anilor 1900. De
1900s. Since then similar fa- atunci, au mai fost construite
cilities have been built in vari- asemenea statii in mai multe
ous countries, including Ice- tari: Islanda, Japonia,
land, Japan, Mexico, New Mexic, Noua Zeelanda,
Zealand, Turkey, the Tibet Turcia, Regiunea
Autonomous Region of Autonoma Tibet din China
China, and the United States. si in Statele Unite ale
In most cases turbines are Vapour dominated geothermal system Americii. In cele mai multe
driven with steam separated Sistem geotermal in care predomina vaporii c a z u r i t u r b i n e l e s u n t
from superheated water tapped actionate de abur, ce este
from underground geothermal reservoirs and separat de apa extrem de fierbinte ce este
geysers. exploata din rezervoarele geotermale subterane
 House Heating, using directly the heat of the si gheizere.
geothermal water which is pumped into heating  Incalzirea locuintelor, folosind in mod direct
system of the houses. Since these first caldura apei geotermale, care este pompata in
approaches, a wide variety of applications have sistemul de incalzire al casei. S-a dezvoltata o
been developed for geothermal energy. For mare varietate de aplicatii pentru energia
example, public buildings, residential dwellings, Geotermala: cladiri, sere, (la Reykjavik)
and greenhouses in such areas as Reykjavík, are încalzite cu apa pompata din izvoare şi fantani
heated with water pumped from hot springs and geotermale. Apa fierbinte din aceste surse este
geothermal wells. Hot water from such sources folosita pentru a incalzi solul si a creste
also is used for heating soil to increase crop productia agricola.
production and for seasoning lumber.
Tipuri de surse Geotermale
Geothermal Resource Types Surse hidrotermale de convectie
Convective hydrothermal resources Caldura Pamantului este ridicata prin circulatie
The Earth’s heat is lifted by convective circula- convectiva facand astfel ca izvoarele fierbinti si
tion, of hot water/steam in a natural way; also it can gheizerele sa apara intr-un mod natural. Se pot
also be obtained from some high-temperature obtine surse hidrotermale la temperaturi ridicate si
hydrothermal resources with circulation of water at prin circulatia apelor de adancime de-a lungul
deep levels along fractures. fisurilor placilor tectonice.

Vapour dominated Predomina Vaporii

Has a temperature range of 240 ˚C, it produces
steam from boiling saline waters at deep levels in
low permeability rocks. There are a few resources of
this type: The Geysers in California, Larderello
45
Temperatura de pana la 240 ˚C produce aburi din
apa cu sare ce fierbe la niveluri joase ale solului in
roci cu permeabilitate scazuta. Exista putine resurse
de acest tip: Gheizerele in California, Larderello
 European Pupils
Magazine
Geothermal Energy
in Italy and Matsukawa in Japan, used generally in Italia and Matsukawa in Japonia, folosite in
for producing electrical energy. principal pentru producerea de energie electrica.

Hot-water dominated Predomina Apa Fierbinte

Water dominated systems Sunt produse de apa
are produced by ground wa- subterana care circula la
ter; circulating to depth and adancime si urca spre
ascending on permeable res- rezervoare permeabile care au
ervoirs have a temperature o temperatura de 20-350 ˚C.
range of 20 to 350 ˚C. It ap- Aparea o zona de curgere in
pears an outflow zone in the sus in centrul fiecare celule de
centre of each convection convectie, miscandu-se lateral
cell, moving laterally from incepand din centru si o zona
the centre and a down flow de curgere in jos unde sursa se
where it recharges. At surface reincarca termic. La suprafata
they can manifest as hot se manifesta ca si izvoare
springs, fumaroles, geysers, fierbinti, gheizere, roci
chemically altered rock or modificate chimic sau pot sa
no manifestation at all. nu se mainifeste deloc.
Hot water dominated geothermal system
Sedimentary basins Sistem geotermal in care Bazine de Sedimentare
predomina apa fierbinte
They have low thermal Prezinta o conductivitate
conductivity or high heat flow and produce re- termica joasa sau un flux mare de caldura si produc
sources with a higher temperature range of 20 to 150 surse cu temperaturi intre 20-150 ˚C, folosind un
˚C, using a gradient > 30 ˚C/km. There are found in gradient > 30 ˚C/km. Se gasesc in zone intinse, cum
larger areas, like Madison Formation of North Da- ar fi Madison Formation din Dakota de Nord,
kota, South Dakota, Montana and the Pannonian Dakota de Sud, Montana si Bazinul Panoniei din
Basin of central Europe where it has been inten- centrul Europei unde a fost intens exploatat in
sively exploited in Hungary. Ungaria.

Geopressured Resurse bazate

resources pe geopresiune
They are buried S e a f l a
deeply in basin envi- ingropate adanc in
ronments, found in per- bazine imprejmuie
meable sedimentary de roci sedimentare
rocks and heated in bet- permeabile si
ter geothermal gradient incalzite mai
caused by the great eficient de un
depth that they are gradient de
found, having a tem- t em perat ura de
perature range of 90 to adancime mare, la
200 ˚C. The fluids are Sedimentary basin geothermal resource 90-200 ˚C.
surrounded with imper- Resursa Geotermala din bazin sedimentar Fluidele sunt
meable rock and high pressure, so they became the inconjurate de roca impermeabila si astfel apar
target for drilling because they contain dissolved presiuni mari, fiind mediul idal pentru foraje,
methane and they are easier to extract. deoarece contin si metan dizolvat usor de extras.
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 European Pupils
Magazine
Geothermal Energy
Radiogenic Resurse Radiogenice
They can be found where granitic intrusions are Se gasesc acolo unde exista roci de granit
next to the surfaces, heating up the nearby ground- aproape de suprafata, apele subterane din apropiere
water of decomposing radioactive thorium, potas- incalzind sau descompunand depozitele de
sium and uranium. thoriumul radioactiv,
Regarding the potasiul si uraniul.
temperature range Temperaturile
this is from about sunt intre 30-150 ˚C,
30 to 150 ˚C, so iar cresterea
the localized heat- localizata a
ing increases the temperaturii
geothermal gradi- intensifica gradientul
ent, providing hot geotermic, asigurand
water at a small apa fierbinte la
drilling depth. adancimi de forare
This type of re- mici. Acest tip de
source exists resursa exista de-a
along the eastern Geo-pressured geothermal system lungul estului
United States, but Sistem geotermic sub presiune Statelor Unite, dar
having not being developed until present. nu au fost exploatate pana in prezent.

Hot rock resources Resurse bazate pe roca fierbinte

The rocks that stock heat are at nearly 10 km Rocile care stocheaza temperatura sunt la 10 km
below the sur- adancime, astfel
face, so the en- incat energia ca si
ergy as steam or abur sau apa
hot water could- fierbinte nu a
n’t be extracted putut fi extrasa
in an economic intr-un mod
way although economic, desi au
they have a tem- temperaturi mari,
perature range of intre 90-650 ˚C.
90 to 650 ˚C. In cadrul unor
Some experi- experimente s-au
mental projects fisurat artificial
have artificially roci cu ajutorul
fractured the p r e s i u n i i
rocks with hidraulice,
hydraulic pres- trimitandu-se apa
sure, and sent Radiogenic geothermal system rece pentru a
cold water to ex- Sistem geotermal radiogenic extrage caldura
tract the heat from the rock, by circulating in a din roca, prin circularea acesteia intr-un circuit
closed system. inchis.

Molten rock (magma) Roca topita (magma)

It has the higher temperature range > 600 ˚C, the Are cea mai mare temperatura > 600 ˚C, sistemul
system includes a heat exchanger built on the sur- fiind compus dintr-un schimbator de caldura,
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 European Pupils
Magazine
Geothermal Energy
face of the lava flow. It has been construit pe suprafata fluxului de
used in Hawaii after the 1973 lava. A fost folosit in Hawaii dupa
eruption, but it is shut down in eruptia din 1973, dar in prezent este
present due to cooling of the inchis din cauza racirii rocii, dupa 10
rock, after a use of 10 years. ani de utilizare.

At the 10th World Energy La a 10-a Conferinta Mondiala

C o n f e r e n c e , H a r ve s t a b l e de Energie, resursele colectabile de
Geothermal Resources had been energie Geotermala, au fost evaluate
evaluated at 2.1 • 1021 kJ, la 2.1 • 1021 kJ, ceea ce inseamna ca
meaning that this resource, could aceasta sursa ar acoperi nevoille
cover the population’s needs for populatiei pentru incalzirea locuintei
house heating and domestic si pentru apa menajera pentru o
7
water for a period of 8.33 • 10 Hot dry rock exploitation perioada de 8.33 • 107 ani.
years. Exploatarea resurselor Energia Geotermala continuta de
din roca fierbinte uscata
The Geothermal Energy roci l e co nt i n ent al e av and o
contained in continental rocks having a temperature temperatura de peste 150 ˚C, situate nu mai adanc de
of over 150 ˚C, situated no deeper than 3km below 3km de suprafata este de aproximativ 4kJ din care
surface is about 4kJ from which 8 • 1019 kJ having a 8 • 1019 kJ avand o temperatura de peste 250 ˚C si
temperature of over 250 ˚C and could be used to putand fi folosita pentru a produce electricitate.
produce electricity.
Pentru a transforma caldura Pamantului in
In order to transform the Earth’s heat into electricitate, un rol important il joaca Instalatia de
electricity a big role plays the Geothermal Power Energie Geotermala.
Plant. O alta intrebuintare a temperaturii Pamantului
Another use of Earth’s temperature is for storing este stocarea de energie termica. Aceasta aplicatie
the thermal energy. This can be used in order to heat poate fi folosita pentru a incalzi sau raci spatiile
up or cool down closed spaces or even houses. inchise sau chiar locuintele.

Geothermal Power plant Instalatia de Energie Geotermala.

The Geothermal Energy is so unique due to its Energia Geotermala este unica datorita
many forms in comparison numeroaselor forme ale
with other Renewable En- aplicatiilor in comparatie cu
ergy sources. It can be used alte surse de Energie
to produce domestic water, Regenerabila. Poate fi
to heat up homes, to pro- folosita pentru a produce apa
duce electricity, or even to menajera, pentru a incalzi
keep buildings at constant casele, a produce
temperature. electricitate sau chiar pentru
The best of Geothermal a pastra constanta
Energy is that being temperatura cladirilor. Cea
renewable (as long as we mai importanta calitate a
choose carefull y the Energiei Geotermice este
processes to transform the Principle scheme of a Geothermal Power plant regenerabilitatea (cat timp se
Instalatii de Energie Geotermala
hot water into electricity selecteaza cu grija procesele
and then take care of putting it back) this type of pentru transformarea apei fierbinti in electricitate si apa
energy alone, could theoretically, sustain all este recirculata), acest tip de energie putand teoretic
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 European Pupils
Magazine
Geothermal Energy
people energy necessities, a distinctive sa sustina singura toate necesitatile energetice ale tuturor
characteristic that other type of renewable energy oamenilor, caracteristica ce nu se regaseste la alte tipuri
doesn’t have. de energii regenerabile.

Advantages Avantaje
High thermal performance; Eficienta termica mare;
Only one pipe buried in small depth; Doar o teava este ingropata si nu foarte adanc;
Usual digging methods. Metode simple de instalare (sapat).

Disadvantages Dezavantaje
High liquid volume on high length which needs Volum mare de lichid transportat pe o lungime
raised antifreeze measures; mare ceea ce creste protectia anti-inghet;
High price for pipes; Costuri mari ale tevilor;
High installation costs; Costuri mari ale instalatiei,
Limited cooling capacity due to pressure loss. Capacitate limitata de raicre datorita pierderii de presiune.

Bibliography
John W. Lund, Characteristics, Development and
Utilization of Geothermal Resources, Geo-Heat
Center, USA
White, D.E., Buffler, L.J.P., and Truesdell, A.H Va-
por-Dominated Hydrothermal Systems Com-
pared with Hot-Water Systems, Economic Geol-
ogy, 2001.
www.episodes.org/backissues/33igc/21.pdf
www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/229724/
geology/14203/Geothermal-energy
Geothermal house heating principle
http://wapi.isu.edu/geo_pgt/Mod04_Earth/mod4.htm Principiul de incalzire a unei case
utilizand Energie Geotermala
Iconography
Figure 1 / Figure 8 http://
geophysics.ou.edu/ SEND YOUR ARTICLES,
geomechanics/notes/
heatflow/
global_heat_flow.htm NEWS OR FUNPAGES
Figure 3 http://
hays.outcrop.org/ FOR NEXT
images/
keller3e/14_26.jpg
Figure 6 http:// Global Heat EPMagazine ISSUE
rglsun1.geol.vt.edu/gif/ Flow Map
Harta fluxului AT
RadiogenicModel.gif de caldura global
Figure 7
www.seas.upenn.edu/~electric/images/education/ epmagazine@libero.it
hotdryrock.jpg
Figure 9 /Figure 10 http://greenzoneenergy.com/ epmgreece@yahoo.gr
images/closed_loop_system_pondlake.gif
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