Question

Explain the term Hot Spots in the context of geothermal energy production?

Answer 1

Due to some geological changes in the inner core of Earth , molten rocks formed in the deeper hot regions of the Earth’s crust are pushed upward and then these rocks,which are very hot become trapped. When these rocks come in contact with the underground water they form a hot spot and steam is generated. Steam so generated from these hot spots can be used to rotate a turbine,which generates electricity.The steam trapped in rocks is routed through a pipe to reach these turbines. Sometimes hot water from that region finds outlets at the surface making hot springs and like steam this hot water is extremely useful in generating electricity. The cost of production for this plant is not much high and also it is a non-polluting,renewable source of energy. Major disadvantage is the the low avaliablitiy of such hot spots.
There are number of such geothermal power plants in New Zealand and United States of America.