Geothermal energy: renewable energy and the environment

Abstract

Introduction The Global Energy Landscape Geothermal Energy as a Renewable Energy Source Electrical Demand and the Characteristics of Geothermal Energy How This Book is Organized Synopsis Further Information Sources References Sources of Geothermal Heat: Earth as a Heat Engine Origin of Earth's Heat Transfer of Heat in the Earth Plate Tectonics and the Distribution of Geothermal Resources Availability and Utilization of Geothermal Energy Synopsis Case Studies Further Information Sources References Thermodynamics and Geothermal Systems The First Law of Thermodynamics: The Equivalence of Heat and Work and the Conservation of Energy The Second Law of Thermodynamics: The Inevitable Increase of Entropy Gibbs Function and Gibbs Energy (?G) Thermodynamic Efficiency Case Study: The Thermodynamic Properties of Water and Rock-Water Interaction Synopsis Further Information Sources References Subsurface Fluid Flow:-The Hydrology of Geothermal Systems A General Model for Subsurface Fluid Flow Matrix Porosity and Permeability Fracture Porosity and Permeability The Effect of Depth on Porosity and Permeability Hydrologic Properties of Real Geothermal Systems Case Study: Long Valley Caldera Synopsis Further Information Sources References Chemistry of Geothermal Fluids Why the Geochemistry of Geothermal Fluids Matters Water as a Chemical Agent Components and Chemical Systems Saturation and The Law of Mass Action The Kinetics of Geothermal Reactions Gases in Geothermal Fluids Fluid Flow and Mixing in Natural Systems Simulating Reactive Transport Case Study: The Silica System Synopsis References Exploring for Geothermal Systems Field Geology and Surface Manifestations Geochemistry as an Exploration Tool Geophysics as an Exploration Tool Remote Sensing as an Exploration Tool: A Promising New Technique Case Study: Fallon, Nevada Synposis Further Information Sources References Resource Assessments Assessing a Geothermal Resource Resource Base and Reserves Establishing the Reservoir Volume Establishing the Reservoir Heat Content The Significance of Heat Capacity Efficiency of Heat Extraction A Case Study: Establishing the United States Geothermal Resource Synopsis Further Information Sources References Drilling Background Drilling for Ground Source Heat Pump and Direct-Use Applications Drilling for Geothermal Fluids for Power Generation Confining Pressure and Rock Strength Case Study: Kakkonda, Japan Synopsis Further Information Sources References Generating Power Using Geothermal Resources The History of Geothermal Power Production General Features of Geothermal Power Generation Facilities Dry Steam Resources Hydrothermal Systems Binary Generation Facilities: The Organic Rankine Cycle Case Study: The Geysers Synopsis Further Information Sources References Low Temperature Geothermal Resources: Ground Source Heat Pumps Basic Heat Pump Principles The Thermodynamics Of Heat Pumps The Near-Surface Thermal Reservoir Design Considerations for Closed-Loop Systems Case Study: Weaverville Synopsis Further Information Sources References Direct Use of Geothermal Resources Assessing the Magnitude of the Direct Use Reservoir The Nature of Thermal Energy Transfer Establishing the Feasibility of a Direct Use Application District Heating Aquaculture Drying Case Study: Canby Cascaded System Synopsis Further Information Sources References Use of Geothermal Resources: Environmental Considerations Emissions Solute Load and Resource Recovery Ground Subsidence Water Use Land Use Synopsis Additional Information Sources References Use of Geothermal Resources: Economic Considerations Economics of Geothermal Power The Economics of R&D Investment in Geothermal Energy Developing a Geothermal Project Synopsis References The Geothermal Energy Future: Possibilities and Issues Geopressured Resources Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) Synopsis Further Information Sources References Index