~ Making Connections With Electricity ~A major use of geothermal energy is to produce electricity. Resources at the highest temperatures are mostly used for electric power generation. The electricity is produced through electromagnetic induction, which generates electricity in massive generators. Generators use the energy of motion to produce electricity. The turbine connected to the generators rotates magnets inside the generator. These magnets spin coils of copper wire, which is sent through transmission lines to provide electricity outward. All three methods mentioned on this site, dry steam geothermal technology, flash steam geothermal technology and binary cycle geothermal technology make use of vapour, turbines and generators in such way. Technology for hydrothermal electricity generation still only creates one percent of the world’s electricity generation. Use of geothermal electricity would lower utility bills and make electricity as well as energy more accessible and reliable. Though the initial cost of setting up geothermal energy source in one’s home is expensive, around $15 000 to $20 000 dollars, it saves money and energy in the long run, cutting utility bills by half. Though Canada has a lot of geothermal potential, it lags behind other countries. Canadian’s produce around twenty percent of the world’s geothermal energy, however, in countries other than Canada. Currently twenty-four other countries in the world use geothermal energy for electricity. Geothermal resources are available in Western and Northern Canada. Canada has a lot of geothermal potential, with the ability to provide up to 10% of the country’s electricity generation. Private companies, such as Borealis Geopower, are beginning to invest in Canada’ geothermal potential. The United States and Iceland are major users of geothermal energy.
FUN FACT: "Retail chains like IKEA are also embracing geothermal energy in order to cut down their costs and reduce their carbon footprint. The Denver IKEA store is the first IKEA store in the United States to be built with geothermal technology and IKEA Richmond, Canada’s newest store, will feature a geothermal installation to make the store more energy efficient."
http://blog.davies-smith.com/10-hot-facts-about-geothermal-energy/ |