 |
|
Mines could provide geothermal energy
July 27, 2009Mine shafts on the point of being closed down could be used to provide geothermal energy to local towns. This is the conclusion of two engineers from the University of Oviedo, whose research is being published this month in the journal Renewable Energy. The method they have developed makes it possible to estimate the amount of heat that a tunnel could potentially provide.
"One way of making use of low-intensity geothermal energy is to convert mine shafts into geothermal boilers, which could provide heating and hot water for people living nearby", Rafael Rodríguez, from the Oviedo Higher Technical School of Mining Engineering, tells SINC. This type of energy, which is hardly used in Spain, is obtained from the internal heat of the Earth.
The engineer and his colleague María Belarmina Díaz have developed a "semi-empirical" method (part mathematical and part experimental) to calculate the amount of heat that could be produced by a mine tunnel that is due to be abandoned, based on studies carried out while it is still in use.
"When the mine is still active one can access the tunnels easily in order to gather data about ventilation and the properties of the rocks, as well as to take samples and design better circuits, and even programme the closure of some sections in order to use them for geothermal energy production", says the engineer, who stresses that, although geothermal energy can be made use of once the mine is closed, "it is no longer possible by that stage to make any modifications, or to gather any useful data to evaluate and improve the system".
The study looks into geothermal exploitation of a two-kilometre-long mine shaft, in which the temperature of the rocks 500m below the surface is around 30° C. This is typical of many of the mining areas in Asturias, although it could also be applied to other parts of the world. Water could be forced in through tubes at 7° C and return at 12° C, a big enough heat gain to be of benefit to towns located above the mines.
Advantages of geothermal energy from mines
Rodríguez and Díaz highlight the benefits of building geothermal boilers in mine shafts in that, aside from their predictable energy production levels, they also function practically as an open tube system "but without any risk of heat contamination of aquifers".
Using geothermal energy also helps to reduce CO2 emissions, and is not dependent upon climatic conditions (unlike other renewable energies such as solar or wind power). Other advantages are that these facilities make use of a country's own resources, do not require new developments on large sites, do not pollute the immediate environment, and are believed to be profitable over the long term.
Geothermal energy can be used directly in family homes, housing developments, swimming pools, fish farms, industrial units and other buildings.
FECYT - Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology
"When the mine is still active one can access the tunnels easily in order to gather data about ventilation and the properties of the rocks, as well as to take samples and design better circuits, and even programme the closure of some sections in order to use them for geothermal energy production", says the engineer, who stresses that, although geothermal energy can be made use of once the mine is closed, "it is no longer possible by that stage to make any modifications, or to gather any useful data to evaluate and improve the system".
The study looks into geothermal exploitation of a two-kilometre-long mine shaft, in which the temperature of the rocks 500m below the surface is around 30° C. This is typical of many of the mining areas in Asturias, although it could also be applied to other parts of the world. Water could be forced in through tubes at 7° C and return at 12° C, a big enough heat gain to be of benefit to towns located above the mines.
Advantages of geothermal energy from mines
Rodríguez and Díaz highlight the benefits of building geothermal boilers in mine shafts in that, aside from their predictable energy production levels, they also function practically as an open tube system "but without any risk of heat contamination of aquifers".
Using geothermal energy also helps to reduce CO2 emissions, and is not dependent upon climatic conditions (unlike other renewable energies such as solar or wind power). Other advantages are that these facilities make use of a country's own resources, do not require new developments on large sites, do not pollute the immediate environment, and are believed to be profitable over the long term.
Geothermal energy can be used directly in family homes, housing developments, swimming pools, fish farms, industrial units and other buildings.
FECYT - Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology
Geothermal Energy Current Events and Geothermal Energy News RSSStudy uses satellite imagery to identify active magma systems in East Africa's Rift Valley
A team from the University of Miami, University of El Paso and University of Rochester have employed Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) images compiled over a decade to study volcanic activity in the African Rift. The study, published in the November issue of Geology, studies the section of the rift in Kenya.
US tax breaks subsidize foreign oil production
The largest U.S subsidies to fossil fuels are attributed to tax breaks that aid foreign oil production, according to research to be released on Friday by the Environmental Law Institute (ELI) in partnership with the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.
UNEP report details surprising green energy investment trends worldwide
Some $155 billion was invested in 2008 in clean energy companies and projects worldwide, not including large hydro, a new report launched today says.
Intelligent use of the Earth's heat
Geothermal energy is increasingly contributing to the power supply world wide. Iceland is world-leader in expanding development of geothermal utilization: in recent years the annual power supply here doubled to more than 500 MW alone in the supply of electricity.
Understanding Europe's topography
Europe's shape is in a constant change: The Mediterranean basin is shrinking, the Alps are rising and pushing North, and Scandinavia is still rebounding after having been crushed by the weight of a thick and huge ice sheet in the ice ages. But what did Europe look like in the past, what are the processes controlling all these changes and what has the future in store for us? And how does the topography influence the climate of Europe on geological time scales?
Drilling for science and exploration
On 19th February 2008 the GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam (GFZ) officially commenced the operation of the new drill rig InnovaRig at the geothermal drill site at Dürrnhaar (Bavaria). With this event, one of the most modern drill rigs worldwide, with a drilling capacity to a depth of 5000 metres becomes available.
Helium isotopes point to the best sources of geothermal energy
With fossil fuel sources depleting and global warming on the rise, exploring alternative means of power for humans is a necessary reality.
Aswan Obelisk Quarry more than meets the eye
The unfinished Obelisk Quarry in Aswan, Egypt, has a canal that may have connected to the Nile and allowed the large stone monuments to float to their permanent locations, according to an international team of researchers. This canal, however, may be allowing salts from ground water to seep into what has been the best preserved example of obelisk quarrying in Egypt.
Adding up renewable energy
Do the overall efficiencies of renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar, and geothermal add up in terms of their complete life cycle from materials sourcing, manufacture, running, and decommissioning" Researchers in Greece have carried out a life cycle assessment to find the answer.
Geologist troubleshoots silica problem at geothermal plants
In the debate over alternative energy resources, geothermal technology has received scant media attention. Advocates call it one of the cleanest, sustainable energy resources available. However, steep construction, equipment and drilling costs have prevented more widespread development of geothermal technology.
More Geothermal Energy Current Events and Geothermal Energy News Articles
 |
Geothermal Energy: An Alternative Resource for the 21st Century by Harsh K. Gupta (Author), Sukanta Roy (Author) More than 20 countries generate electricity from geothermal resources and about 60 countries make direct use of geothermal energy. A ten-fold increase in geothermal energy use is foreseeable at the current technology level. Geothermal Energy: An Alternative Resource for the 21st Century provides a readable and coherent account of all facets of geothermal energy development and summarizes the present day knowledge on geothermal resources, their exploration and exploitation. Accounts of geothermal resource models, various exploration techniques, drilling and production technology are discussed within 9 chapters, as well as important concepts and current technological developments. * Interdisciplinary approach, combining traditional... |
 |
Geothermal Power (Energy Sources) by Neil Morris (Author) A detailed look at energy sources, how their power is harnessed and used. |
 |
Geothermal Energy: Using Earth's Furnace (Energy Revolution) by Carrie Gleason (Author) This title is suitable for the children of ages 7 to 12 years. The need for safe sources of renewable energy has sent scientists underground to tap the natural heat produced by the Earth. This book describes the three different ways electricity is produced from geothermal energy. Young readers will discover how this clean, safe energy is currently being used in twenty countries including the United States, the largest producer of geothermal energy. |
 |
Geothermal Power Plants, Second Edition: Principles, Applications, Case Studies and Environmental Impact by Ronald DiPippo (Author) Ron DiPippo, Professor Emeritus at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, is a world-regarded geothermal expert. This single resource covers all aspects of the utilization of geothermal energy for power generation from fundamental scientific and engineering principles. The thermodynamic basis for the design of geothermal power plants is at the heart of the book and readers are clearly guided on the process of designing and analysing the key types of geothermal energy conversion systems. Its practical emphasis is enhanced by the use of case studies from real plants that increase the reader's understanding of geothermal energy conversion and provide a unique compilation of hard-to-obtain data and experience. An important new chapter covers Environmental Impact and Abatement... |
 |
Geothermal Energy: Utilization and Technology by Mary H. Dickson (Editor), Mario Fanelli (Editor) * No other text deals so comprehensively with the post-extraction stages of geothermal energy. A core reference work for many years to come * Offers key details on the main applications and technologies associated with geothermal energy * The contributing authors from across the globe represent foremost international experts in this field Geothermal energy refers to the heat contained within the Earth that generates geological phenomena on a planetary scale. Today, this term is often associated with man's efforts to tap in to this vast energy source. This detailed reference text describes the various methods and technologies used to exploit the earth's heat. Beginning with an overview of geothermal energy and the state of the art, leading experts in the field... |
 |
Alternative Energy Sources-(Geothermal,Water&Wind Starring: Mind Monators Directed By: Increase Video The need for energy is as old as humankind. From the dawn of civilization, people have been searching for new and more efficient sources of energy to cook their food and provide their shelter with heat and light. Some of the most recent areas of exploration in the ongoing search for new energy sources have, in fact, been available to us from the beginning of time : The wind, the water and geothermal energy, utilizing the heat from the core of the planet. In this comprrehensive and informative presentation, methods for the derivation of energy from some of these lesser publicized energy sources are discussed, covering aspects from how they work, the history of their exploitation, relative shortcomings and advantages, and their future potential The use of windmills, from ancient to... |
|
Journal of Japan Geothermal Energy Association = Chinetsu by Maruzen Co Ltd | |
 |
Geothermal Heat Pumps: A Guide for Planning and Installing by Karl Ochsner (Author), Robin Curtis (Introduction) * Introduces basic theory and reviews a wide variety of available heat pump models * Will put any installer, engineer or architect in the position to design, select and install a domestic geothermal heat pump system Geothermal Heat Pumps is the most comprehensive guide to the selection, design and installation of geothermal heat pumps available. This leading manual presents the most recent information and market developments in order to put any installer, engineer or architect in the position to design, select and install a domestic geothermal heat pump system. Internationally respected expert Karl Ochsner presents the reasons to use heat pumps, introduces basic theory and reviews the wide variety of available heat pump models. Expertly reviewed and adapted for the most... |
 |
Green Energy - Geothermal Energy by Tedco Green Energy: Solar Energy: Discover the power of sunlight. In this box you will build a solar furnace to explore how the sun provides us with a renewable source of energy. Hydropower: Discover what moving water can do! In this box kit you will build a water wheel to learn how moving water can be used to create energy. Geothermal Energy: Discover the energy from the core of the earth! In this box kit you will build a steam boiler to learn how the sizzling heat below earth's crust can be utilized. Wind Power: Discover the supply of energy from moving air! In this box kit you will build a wind speedometer to examine the movement of wind. |
 |
21st Century Complete Guide to Geothermal Energy, Geothermal Heat Pumps, Electricity, Potential, Drilling, Photo Gallery, Geopowering the West, Department ... National Renewable Energy Lab NREL (CD-ROM) by World Spaceflight News (Author) This up-to-date electronic book on CD-ROM contains the finest collection of official federal documents available anywhere on the subject of geothermal energy, including the Department of Energy (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewal Energy Network (EREN) Geothermal Energy Program; National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL); GeoPowering the West; U.S. Geothermal Potential; Geothermal Photo Gallery; Geothermal Technical Reports; Exploration; Drilling; Direct Use; Geothermal Heat Pumps; Geothermal Electricity Production; Advanced Technologies. NREL Renewable Resource Data; DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy; NREL Information Resources Catalog; Director and Management; Education Programs; Environmental Safety & Health; DOE Climate Challenge; NREL Publications; News and Events.... |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |