07-05-2014, 09:38 AM
"geothermal is just a throwback to steam powered technology"
Not at all. Steam is what turns most large scale electrical generators. Whether its fossil fuel, nuclear, geothermal, or even some solar installations, much of generating electrical power is about determining the heat source so you can produce steam from water. And geothermal, like most technologies, has become safer and more efficient over the decades of its development.
Not at all. Steam is what turns most large scale electrical generators. Whether its fossil fuel, nuclear, geothermal, or even some solar installations, much of generating electrical power is about determining the heat source so you can produce steam from water. And geothermal, like most technologies, has become safer and more efficient over the decades of its development.
quote:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam-elect...er_station
Almost all coal, nuclear, geothermal, solar thermal electric power plants, waste incineration plants as well as many natural gas power plants are steam-electric. Natural gas is frequently combusted in gas turbines as well as boilers. The waste heat from a gas turbine can be used to raise steam, in a combined cycle plant that improves overall efficiency.