Geo-Power

1. Geo-Power Hatfield Elementary Created by: Justice Luke Gavin

2. Introduction Students should learn about alternative energies because fossil fuels are non-renewable, meaning we will eventually run out of them, and soon, if scientists’ predictions are correct. Fossil fuels also can cause lots of pollution and one day we may have to wear gas masks in major population areas due to this pollution. Fossil fuels costs a lot of money to dig out of the ground and burn and many people also lose their lives in places such as coal mines. A mine cart full of coal

3. Introduction to Geothermal Energy Geothermal energy comes from the hot water, hot rocks or magma deep underground. We build pipes that go down a little bit above the hot rocks, hot water or magma, and send cold water down the pipes. When the water comes back up, it’s heated up and now allows you to have hot water in your house. You can also create electricity by making the steam from the hot water turn a turbine connected to a wire, sending electricity to homes. A geyser shooting out hot steam and water.

4. Pros Geothermal energy • Never can run out (inexhaustible) • It doesn’t cause pollution • Considered the “Greenest” of all alternative energies • No fuel is required for transportation or mining • Geothermal energy is highly reliable; all geothermal power plants built in the last 100 years are still in use today. A volcanic eruption

5. Cons of Geothermal Energy • Generally, a very high temperature of 353+ Fahrenheit is required and not all hot water springs have that temperature. • Geothermal energy can’t be transported to sites like fossil fuels can. • It costs a lot of money to build heat pumps and install the pumps. It also costs a lot of money to build geothermal power plants. • People can lose their lives building and installing the heat pumps for geothermal energy. • If a pipe bursts, it can cause a lot of damage to the surrounding area. Another geyser erupting

6. Cost Effectiveness Normally, geothermal heat pumps cost about $ 3,500 to $7,500 and then to dig the area and install the pump it costs another $10,000 to $25,000. Geothermal power plants for electricity costs $50,000,000 to build. Even though the initial costs are very high upfront, you are saving a lot of money overall because you don’t have to pay a lot of money monthly.! Geothermal Power Plant

7. Usefulness in our World Geothermal energy is very useful in our world. Geothermal energy is inexhaustible so we will never run out. It directs heating to homes and offices. Geothermal energy power plants are built to completely minimize environmental impact. Geothermal energy is also very reliableas all geothermal power plants built in the last 100 years are still being used today.

8. Fun Facts About Geothermal Energy • Geothermal Energy takes up only about 0.7% of the world’s energy share. • The United States is the leader of geothermal energy in the world. • Scientists predict that up to 20% of the world’s energy share could be taken up by geothermal energy. • There are only 24 nations that use geothermal energy

9. Fun Facts About Geothermal Energy • Geothermal energy is the main energy source in Iceland. • Geothermal energy is generated by heat stored naturally beneath the Earth’s surface. • Generally, geothermal energy has to be at least 353 degrees Fahrenheit to be usable. Geysers shooting out steam and hot water

10. Conclusion During this project, we learned many things about geothermal energy that we did not know about. We discovered how high the prices really are for “mining” for this type of energy. We learned many pros and cons of geothermal energy too. We were surprised to learn that all geothermal power plants built in the last 100 years are still being used as you read this! We also sadly learned that geothermal energy doesn’t even take up 1% of the world’s energy share and that only 24 nations use it. In conclusion, we learned so many things about geothermal energy and how it is important to the world.

11. Bibliography/Sources URLs: • Wikipedia.org • Triplepundit.com • Costhelper.com • Corkensteel.com • Discovery.com • Greenmountain.com • Geothermalprosandcons.net • Energy-facts.com People: Dawn Warren, 5th Grade Teacher, Hatfield Elementary Daniel Perry, Boss, Pipelining INC