Geothermal Power Plant

Adapted from Science Projects in Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency written by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, published and copyright 1991 by the American Solar Energy Society, and distributed by the National Energy Foundation.

In a geothermal power plant, steam is used to turn a turbine. The turbine is attached to a generator to make electricity. There are two places in the world where natural steam is found under ground and is used to make electricity. One is in Italy. The other is north of San Francisco in an area called The Geysers. The Geysers produces enough energy to power a city of about one million people. But in recent years, the amount of steam produced by the area has decreased. Some people think that it’s because there are too many "holes" in the ground like the pot cover with 20 holes. It’s like having a soda with 20 straws in it and all of your friends and you sipping at the same time. The soda glass will be drained VERY fast. That’s what some people think is happening to the Geysers…that it’s running out of steam.

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