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]Geothermal" can generally refer to
any heat contained in the ground.
]Œ
 

 (from the Greek
roots 
, meaning earth, and  ,
meaning heat) is energy generated by heat
stored beneath the Earth's surface, or the
collection of absorbed heat derived from
underground in the atmosphere and oceans.
 
VÊhe centre of the Earth is around 6000 degrees
Celsius - easily hot enough to melt rock. Even a few
kilometres down, the temperature can be over 250
degrees Celsius.
VIn general, the temperature rises one degree Celsius
for every 36 metres you go down.
VIn volcanic areas, molten rock can be very close to
the surface. Sometimes we can use that heat.
VGeothermal energy has been used for thousands of
years in some countries for cooking and heating.
  
 
-urince uiero Ginori Conti tested the first geothermal
power generator on 4 July 1904, at the Larderello dry
steam field in Italy. It was a small generator that lit
four light bulbs.
-Êhe first Geothermal power plant in the United
States was made in 1922 by John D. Grant at Êhe
Geysers Resort Hotel. After drilling for more steam, he
was able to generate enough electricity to light the
entire resort.
-In 1960, uacific Gas and Electric began operation of
the first successful geothermal power plant in the
United States at Êhe Geysers.
 ÔÔ
-Hot rocks underground heat water to
produce steam.
-We drill holes down to the hot region,
steam comes up, is purified and used to
drive turbines, which drive electric
generators.
-Êhere may be natural "groundwater"
in the hot rocks anyway, or we may need
to drill more holes and pump water
down to them.
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-A geothermal production well produces fluid
heated by the natural heat of the earth.

-Geothermal fluids may be steam or hot water

and in California have total dissolved solid
concentrations of up to 250,000 parts per
million (about seven times above sea water).

-Very hot geothermal fluids may be used for

electrical power generation. Cooler geothermal
fluids are used for projects such as space
heating, aquaculture, snow melting, food
processing, dehydration, and hot tubs and spas.
 
Ô 

Êhere are about 470 producing steam

wells and 230 high-temperature, hot-
water wells in 10 high-temperature
geothermal fields in California. In 2005,
over 324 billion kilograms of water was
produced from these wells. In addition,
there are several hundred low-
temperature geothermal wells in the
state for which the Division has no
records.
 Ô
 
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Êhe methods and equipment used to drill geothermal
wells in high-temperature, water-dominated reservoirs
are very similar to those used to drill oil and gas wells.
- 
    

In a steam-dominated reservoir, a typical well is drilled
with drilling mud to a point above the first anticipated
steam entry. Êhen high-pressure air is used.
-›

    
    

As conditions in low-temperature, water-dominated
reservoirs usually are similar to those found when
drilling water wells, the same equipment can be used
and water can be substituted for drilling mud as the
circulating fluid.
 Ô 
]An injection well is drilled for the safe disposal of
geothermal fluids, whose total dissolved solid
concentrations in the state can reach 250,000
parts per million, about seven times higher than
sea water.
]Some production wells are converted to injection
wells.
]Êhere are about 160 geothermal injection wells
located in about a dozen geothermal fields in
California. In 2007, over 318 billion kilograms of
water was injected into the wells.
 
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  Geothermal energy does not produce any pollution,
and does not contribute to the greenhouse effect.

 Êhe power stations do not take up much room, so

there is not much impact on the environment.

 No fuel is needed.

 Once you've built a geothermal power station, the

energy is almost free.
It may need a little energy to run a pump, but this can
be taken from the energy being generated.
 



VÊhere are not many places where you can build a
geothermal power station.
VSometimes a geothermal site may "run out of
steam", perhaps for decades.
VHazardous gases and minerals may come up
from underground, and can be difficult to safely
dispose of.
VHot rocks of a suitable type needed , at a depth
where we can drill down to them.
VÊhe type of rock above is also important ,it must be
of a type that we can easily drill through.
  
-Geo-thermal energy offers a number
of advantages over traditional fossil fuel
based sources, primarily that the heat
source requires no purchase of fuel.

-Êhus being a renewable source of

energy Geo-thermal energy will play a
great role in the days to come.
 

- 
  


  
 
-http://www.geothermal.marin.org/GEOpresen
tation
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