An enhanced geothermal system (EGS) is a geothermal energy system that can make electrical energy when natural underground water is not there. For a long time, geothermal energy could only be produced when there were hot rocks, underground water, and cracks in rocks all together in one area. Now, new ways of getting power from this source, are being created. Areas that can possibly be used for energy need to be altered by people to make the energy usable. These areas may need underground water or a network of fractures in their rocks or both. Enhanced geothermal systems allow for geothermal energy to be outside normal geothermal areas like active plate boundaries to less active areas like the western United States.
Enhanced geothermal system
Questions and Answers
Q: What is an enhanced geothermal system (EGS)?
A: An enhanced geothermal system (EGS) is a geothermal energy system that can produce electrical energy even when there is no natural underground water.
Q: What is necessary for traditional geothermal energy systems to produce energy?
A: Traditional geothermal energy systems require hot rocks, underground water, and cracks in rocks all together in one area to produce energy.
Q: What are the benefits of enhanced geothermal systems?
A: Enhanced geothermal systems allow for geothermal energy to be produced even in areas where there are no natural sources of underground water and fractures in rocks. This expands the areas where geothermal energy can be produced.
Q: Can enhanced geothermal systems be used in areas without natural sources of underground water?
A: Yes, enhanced geothermal systems can be used in areas without natural sources of underground water.
Q: What needs to be altered by people to make areas usable for enhanced geothermal systems?
A: Areas that can be used for enhanced geothermal systems may need to be altered by people to include underground water or a network of fractures in their rocks or both.
Q: Where can enhanced geothermal systems be used outside normal geothermal areas?
A: Enhanced geothermal systems can be used in less active areas like the western United States outside of normal geothermal areas like active plate boundaries.
Q: What can be produced using enhanced geothermal systems?
A: Enhanced geothermal systems can produce electrical energy.