The Basics of Geothermal Energy
Geothermal systems have a high efficiency
Reliable source of renewable energy
Reduced emissions
Able to provide energy consistently and independently of seasonal factors
Clean source of energy
Main Uses of Geothermal Energy
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Heating and cooling of homes, buildings, and water
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Generating electricity
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For industrial operations
Producing Geothermal Energy
This type of system is used for heating and cooling houses or buildings depending on the season.
Geothermal Heat Pumps
Photo credit: EPA Web Archive, 2017.
Geothermal power plants are used to generate steam from the earth and convert it to electricity.
Geothermal Power Plants
Photo credit: EPA Web Archive, 2017.
Fast Facts
U.S.
1st Country in geothermal installed capacity
16 Billion kWh produced in 2019
0.7% of geothermal resources have been developed
Oklahoma
70% of energy consumption in a typical household is used for heating and cooling
600 geothermal heat pumps are used at the Oklahoma capitol
OU researchers will be the first group to ever turn abandoned oil and gas wells into geothermal wells fro heating/cooling schools