Renewable energy involves utilising energy from replenishible sources (sun, wind, magma, water and biomass). However there is a great deal of creative engineering and chemistry involved with the harnessing of powers to generate electricity involving processes defined by variable GHG emissions.
Geothermal
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Geothermal powerplants and reservoirs involves hydrothermal resources. 3 types- single flash stream (fluid high pressure into tank), binary (secondary water becomes vapour) & dry stream. Raw materials include concrete & fuel for drill rig. The prices of steel are rapidly increasing due to spiking demand.
Wells are dug deep underneath the surface of the Earth, often a few miles deep pumping steam which maneuvers a turbine connected to a generator. The pools of water are heated by magma (molten or liquid rocks), so it is natural tapping into underground supplies, where water is compressed at high pressure. The exhaust is then returned to liquid state by a condensor. All very efficient and well-connected.
Source - https://www.saveonenergy.com/how-geothermal-energy-works/
Dry steam plants use steam directly from geothermal reserves where the steam turns a turbine that activates a generator, which produces electricity.
Flash stream process involves an injection of boiling water passing through an expansion valve. It is a very common method of geothermal energy production. They tap into geothermal reservoirs holding water at temperatures over 180 degrees celcius. Any remaining water is returned back to source making it sustainable.
Finally, binary . Water from the heated reserves never contacts the turbine/generator. Secondary water with a lower boiling point passes through a heat exchanger. It is a closed loop system.
About 85% of all houses in Iceland are heated with geothermal energy. The benefits of geothermal energy include the 2 R's - reliability and renewablity. It is constant all year, not dependent on weather. Heat pump pipes also have a lifespan of 3 decades. Not much noise pollution and does not require much space.
Globally expanding market
