Environmental Studies(ES)

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

Lesson 6: Energy resources

Ocean

Oceans collect and store huge quantities of solar radiation in the form of heat. Most of the heat is stored on the surface of sea water while the temperature of deep water is very low. Using this temperature difference, heat is converted into electricity.

Geothermal energy

The core of the earth is very hot; as high as 60,000 C, which can be used effectively. In some regions the molten mass from earth’s core breaks through the earth and produces volcanoes. In other regions, the hot material is close enough to the surface to heat underground water and form steam i.e. geysers and hot springs.
Geothermal energy is energy obtained by tapping the heat of the earth itself, both from kilometers deep into the Earth's crust in some places of the globe or from some meters in geothermal heat pump in all the places of the planet. It is expensive to build a power station but operating costs are low resulting in low energy costs for suitable sites. Ultimately, this energy derives from heat in the Earth's core.