Geothermal Energy

Geothermal power generation is the process of using heat from deep below the surface of the earth to create steam which spins turbines to produce electricity. Traditional geothermal electricity generation requires a high temperature geological resource which is circulated to the surface, either through magma conduits, hot springs, hydrothermal circulation, oil wells, drilled water wells, or a combination of these. A more recent development is called a Binary Cycle which only requires temperatures as low as 57 °C.  In addition to using water to circulate heat from below the ground to the surface, a second 'binary' fluid with a low boiling point is pumped through a heat exchanger at a high pressure where it vaporizes and spins a turbine to produce electricity.