Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy uses heat from the Earth.

Holes are drilled 2-3 km into the Earth where it is hotter.

Water or steam is pumped to the surface to spin a generator.

You are most likely to find a geothermal power station in an area where there are a lot of hot springs, geysers or volcanoes.

These places are the best because we know that there is hot water near the surface.

1. Hot water is pumped from deep underground through a well under high pressure.

2. When the water reaches the surface, the pressure is dropped, which causes the water to turn into steam.

3. The steam turns the turbine which is connected to a generator that creates electricity.

4. The steam cools off in a tower and turns back into water.

5. The cooled water is pumped back into the Earth and the process is started again.

Geothermal energy can be used in your home as well.

In some places, there is either warm water or the ground is warm near the surface.

Each house has a pump with pipes under the surface. In the winter, it pumps that warm water into the house to warm it up.

In the summer, the system can work in reverse and cool water can be pumped into the house to cool it down.

Iceland is a country that uses a lot of geothermal energy.

Almost 25% of Iceland's energy comes from geothermal resources. The rest comes from hydro power.

They use geothermal pumps to heat their homes.

They also use it to make electricity using steam turbines.

Iceland uses geothermal energy to heat greenhouses. They are able to grow fresh vegetables such as tomatoes inside these greenhouses.

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​Fresh Vegetables