1. GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
By: Larry Robinson, Seth Allen, Ryan Robinson

2. WHAT IS GEOTHERMAL ENERGY?
 Geothermal energy: Energy drawn from the internal heat of the earth,
either through geysers, fumaroles, hot springs, or other natural
geothermal features, or through deep wells that pump heated ground
water.
 Used for Heating (heat source) and Cooling (heat sink) houses and
buildings.
 Also used for creating electricity.

3. A BRIEF HISTORY
 1807: European settlers moved westward across the continent, they gravitated
toward the springs of warmth. John Colter visited Yellowstone and encountered the
hot springs leading to the term “Colter's Hell”. Also the city Hot Springs Arkansas
was founded.
 1847: William bell Eliot, a member of john C. Fremont survey, stumbled across a
steaming valley, just north of San Francisco, California. Elliot calls the area “the
geysers”, and he thinks he found the gates of hell.
 1864: homes and dwellings have been build near springs to take advantage of the
natural heat of the springs. This is also the first time this energy is used on a large
scale.
 1904: prints piers ginori conti invents the first geothermal power plant at the
larderello dry steam field in Tuscany, Italy.
 1921: John D. Wells drills a well at “the geysers” with intend of generating
electricity. This becomes the start of the united states’ first geothermal power plant

4. A BRIEF HISTORY CONT…
 1960: the country’s first large scale geothermal electricity generating
plant begins operation. The first turbine produces eleven megawatts.
 1977: The Department of Energy in formed.
 In the 1970’s geothermal heat pumps were introduced, 1990’s
geothermal residential heat pumps became popular.

6. MINNESOTA IMPACT
 Geothermal energy is a very efficient
way to heat and cool houses and
buildings in the Minnesotan climate.
 Potential of Geothermal Energy in MN
is great enough to generate just as
much power that all 104 nuclear power
plants in the whole United States.
 Cons of geothermal heating systems in
Minnesota:
 The majority of geothermal systems
need electricity to work. And where
does most of our electricity come
from?

8. KEY TERMS/COMPONENTS
 Indoor Heat pump
 Ground Loop
 Vertical
 Horizontal
 Flow Center
 Temperature Sensitive Fluid

10. HOW THEY WORK
 The geothermal heat pumps work by having a temperature sensitive
fluid run through the drain field.
 The fluid is then Heated/cooled by the Grounds constant 50F-60F
temperature then pumped back into the heat pump for diffusion
throughout the house.
 This fluid is then heated/cooled to be recycled throughout the system.
 Different fluids are used depending on the seasonal temperatures.
 http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/energy/geothermal-
energy.htm

11. PROS
 There is an enormous amount of thermal energy deep within the earth
that is replenished at a very high rate.
 *Renewable*
 Geothermal energy is not susceptible to price inflation like crude oil.
 Lifetime costs of geothermal operations both residential and
generation plants are smaller then other types of energy.
 High Pay back rate.
 Are unaffected by the variety in Weather.
 It is always working day and night (24/7)

12. CONS
 First cost for building electricity generation plants are very high.
 Geothermal energy cant be transported to generation sites like nuclear
and fossil fuels can.
 Very Location Specific.
 Geothermal power is only sustainable (renewable) if the reservoirs are
properly managed.

13. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
 Water from geothermal sources may contain traces of arsenic, mercury,
boron, and antimony they precipitate as the water cools causing
damage to the environment it affects the water table.
 Construction of Geothermal power plants can adversely effect land
stability in the surrounding region.
 Increased seismic activity