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How a Geothermal Power Plant Works
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/geothermal/gpp_animation.html

Geothermal Technologies Program, US Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

This simplified animation of a geothermal power plant from the U.S. Department of Energy illustrates commonalities with traditional power-generating stations. While there are many types of geothermal power plants, this animation shows a generic plant.

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Grade Level

Middle (6-8)
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Energy Literacy

The energy of a system or object that results in its temperature is called thermal energy.
Other materials addressing:
1.2 Thermal energy.
Humans transfer and transform energy from the environment into forms useful for human endeavors.
Other materials addressing:
4.1 Humans transfer and transform energy.
Sunlight, gravitational potential, decay of radioactive isotopes, and rotation of the Earth are the major sources of energy driving physical processes on Earth.
Other materials addressing:
2.2 Sources of energy on Earth.

Notes From Our Reviewers The CLEAN collection is hand-picked and rigorously reviewed for scientific accuracy and classroom effectiveness. Read what our review team had to say about this resource below or learn more about how CLEAN reviews teaching materials
Teaching Tips | Science | Pedagogy | Technical Details

Teaching Tips

  • The educator should point out that geothermal power plants use many of the same components as more conventional power plants, including turbines, generators, transformers, and other standard power-generating equipment.
  • A related website from Google Earth on Enhanced Geothermal provides a way of viewing locations that are favorable to geothermal generation: http://www.google.org/egs/

About the Science

  • A simple animation that shows a geothermal well, turbine, generator, and transmission.
  • Explanatory text is below each segment of the animation.
  • Passed initial science review - expert science review pending.

About the Pedagogy

  • This animation is introductory material and not a comprehensive coverage of the topic.

Technical Details/Ease of Use

  • A text version of the animation is available.

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