Geothermal Power

19 April 2023

Objectives

Be able to describe how electricity can be produced by Geothermal power and evaluate the advantages and

disadvantages.HSW: AF2: Make balanced judgments about scientific developments by

evaluating the economic, moral, social or cultural implications. Used before in: Fossil Fuels Lesson Will use again in: Next lesson – how do

power stations effect us?

PLTS: Independent enquirers: support conclusions, using reasoned arguments and evidence.

Used before in: Nuclear Power Lesson Will use again in: Next lesson – how do power stations effect us?

KeywordsGeo, thermal, crust, steam vent, geyser,

magma, molten, radioactive, turbine,

generator.

HW – in planner pleaseQuestion Sheet has been

emailed to you. Please complete for next Friday 18th

Outcomes

All students should be able to: Use keywords to draw a labeled diagram

that helps describe how electricity can be produced from geothermal energy in the crust.

Most students should be able to: Describe the advantages and

disadvantages of geothermal energy.Some students should be able to: Use their understanding to evaluate the

pros and cons of building a geothermal power plant in a specific place.

Starter – What causes Geysers?

• Watch the clip:• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W

-daow-LojM&feature=related

• Think – Pair - Share• Describe what is happening.• Explain why you think this is

happening – come up with a theory.

Watch: Geothermal Power clip here

Pros and cons of geothermal energy

Extension: For each one explain why it is a good or bad thing.

Should Africa Use Geothermal Energy?• TASK: Make an information leaflet to explain Geothermal Power stations to

worried local people• Copy the diagram of a Geothermal power station from figure 5 on page 271

onto the blank piece of paper and explain how it produces electricity (it will be part of your leaflet).

• Use the Keywords below to explain what Geothermal energy is and how Electricity can be produced from it:

• In your explanation you should explain the meaning of the term Geothermal. • Where the energy comes from. • How we tap into this energy.• And how we transform it into electricity.• Answer all of the questions in the speech bubbles • Extension: describe the energy transfers/ transformations involved in the

process.Electricity Turbine Magma Earth Heat

Rocks Steam Generator Radioactive

You have 15 Minutes!

Self assessment – grade and comment

Have you completed: A labeled diagram of a geothermal power

station?A description of how electricity can be

produced from geothermal energy?Can you: Give examples of advantages and

disadvantages of geothermal energy?Did you: Answer all the questions from the speech

bubbles and explained energy transformations?

Should Africa Use Geothermal Energy?• TASK: Make an information leaflet to explain Geothermal Power stations to

worried local people• Copy the diagram of a Geothermal power station from figure 5 on page 271

onto the blank piece of paper and explain how it produces electricity (it will be part of your leaflet).

• Use the Keywords below to explain what Geothermal energy is and how Electricity can be produced from it:

• In your explanation you should explain the meaning of the term Geothermal. • Where the energy comes from. • How we tap into this energy.• And how we transform it into electricity.• Answer all of the questions in the speech bubbles • Extension: describe the energy transfers/ transformations involved in the

process.Electricity Turbine Magma Earth Heat

Rocks Steam Generator Radioactive

You have 15 Minutes!

Geothermal

• 1) This is the kind of thing I expect:• Geo means ……………………. Thermal means

……………. This thermal energy comes from the decay of ………….. elements, such as uranium, in ................ under the ground. The heat released warms the surrounding ……… and can turn nearby water into …………. Steam turns a ………… which drives a …………… that produces ………….

Electricity Turbine Magma Earth Heat Rocks Steam Generator Radioactive

Hot Rocks – Heat energyWater to Steam – Heat energy

Steam to turbine – Kinetic energyTurbine to Generator – Kinetic energy

Generator – Electrical energy

Possible Answers

Will it be dangerous? • It shouldn’t be – no more dangerous than the active volcano

nearby. That could erupt at any time. But you obviously have to keep the steam you bring up under control.

How will it benefit my family? • The drilling, and making the power station, are expensive. But

then the steam that powers the generators is free. So the electricity will be cheap. It may also provide jobs.

Will it pollute the atmosphere? • No: the main gas produced is steam.Will the supply be reliable? • Very reliable – the hot rock is always there. The water is recycled,

so we won’t have power cuts every time there’s a drought. Will it affect wildlife? • It’s unlikely to affect wildlife because the power station is quite

small. The animals won’t take any notice of it.Will it put off tourists who come here on Safari? • Possibly – but the power station will only take up a small area, so

we don’t need to worry about them spoiling the view.

Self assessment – grade and comment

Example of what you will write:

Grade: A What Went Well• I drew a neat diagram of a geothermal power station and labelled it correctly.• I described how electricity is made.• I know examples of the advantages and disadvantages • I answered most of the questions correctly.Even Better If• I could have got an A* by thinking how the power station will effect wildlife and tourism in the area.

Self assessment – grade and comment

Have you completed: A labeled diagram of a geothermal power

station?A description of how electricity can be

produced from geothermal energy?Can you: Give examples of advantages and

disadvantages of geothermal energy?Did you: Answer all the questions from the speech

bubbles and explained energy transformations?

Write a Comment: WWW and EBI

Heat Iron Geothermal Reliable

Water Crust GeneratorMolten Rocks

Electricity5000

degreesEarth Fuel

Carbon Dioxide

Radioactive Set up cost Steam