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100
What is geothermal energy?
Energy that uses the heat from the earth's interior to heat and cool houses as well as produce electricity.
100
What percent of U.S. energy comes from geothermal sources?
0.4%
100
What carries geothermal energy to the Earth's surface?
Underground pipes
100
In what century did early settlers use geysers and hot springs as heat sources?
19th century
100
What are the two methods of bringing geothermal energy to the Earth's surface called?
Conduction and convection
200
What 2 purposes is geothermal energy primarily used for?
Heating and electricity
200
Approximately what percent of Iceland's population constantly uses geothermal energy?
53%
200
What transforms the mechanical energy into electrical energy in power plants?
Generators
200
In what year did the first geothermal power plant open?
1960
200
What is the leading country in geothermal resources
Iceland
300
List three surface signs of the presence of geothermal energy
Geysers, fumaroles, mudpots, hot springs, volcanoes
300
Approximately how much does it cost to install geothermal heating?
$500,000
300
How deep are the wells in a geothermal electrical power plant?
5,000-10,000 feet below Earth's surface
300
In what year was the Geothermal Resources Council formed?
1970
300
What are the other four sources of renewable energy, apart from geothermal energy?
Biomass, solar, hydro power, and wind
400
Why,despite the many benefits, do very few people use geothermal energy to heat their homes?
It is expensive and difficult to put pipes and a geothermal heating system into place if there is not already one present.
400
What state has the most geothermal energy that can be used for heating and other appliances?
California
400
What constantly runs through geothermal pipes?
Heat absorbing fluid
400
What significant geothermal event happened in 1981?
The first electricity was generated from geothermal resources
400
How many geothermal power plants are found in the USA?
Over 40
500
In terms of geothermal sources, what are volcanoes and geysers called?
Seismically active hotspots
500
What country uses the most geothermal energy?
China
500
What happens to the super heated fluid when the pressure is decreased?
Some is transformed into steam
500
In what year and where was the first heating system produced from hot spring geysers?
1892 in Idaho
500
What percent of the world's electricity supply in 2007 was produced by geothermal sources?
Less than 1%