Maalämpövoimalla

Maalämpövoimalla refers to the utilization of geothermal energy for power generation. Geothermal power plants tap into the Earth's internal heat to produce electricity. This heat originates from the radioactive decay of minerals and residual heat from the planet's formation. Deep within the Earth, high temperatures and pressures create reservoirs of hot water and steam.

The process of generating electricity from geothermal energy typically involves drilling wells into these underground reservoirs. Steam or hot water is then brought to the surface. In dry steam power plants, steam is directly used to spin turbines connected to generators. In flash steam power plants, hot water is released from pressure, causing it to flash into steam, which then drives the turbines. Binary cycle power plants use hot geothermal water to heat a secondary fluid with a lower boiling point, and the vapor from this secondary fluid drives the turbines.

Geothermal energy is considered a renewable energy source because the Earth's heat is continuously replenished. It offers a stable and consistent power supply, unlike intermittent sources like solar and wind. However, the availability and accessibility of suitable geothermal resources vary geographically. Potential environmental considerations include the release of some gases from underground reservoirs and the management of water usage.