Geothermal Energy

· The word geothermal comes from the Greek words geo (earth) and therme (heat).

· It is heat that comes from within the earth.

· Geothermal energy is a renewable energy source; the water is replenished by rainfall and the heat is continuously produced inside the earth.

· The earth's crust is broken into pieces called plates.

· Magma comes close to the earth's surface near the edges of these plates.

· Volcanoes occur on or near the plates.

· Deep underground, the rocks and water absorb the heat from this magma.

· The temperature of the rocks and water get hotter as you go deeper underground.

Geothermal energy in New Zealand

New Zealand is known for its outstanding geothermal attractions.

• The Waikato region contains almost 80 percent of New Zealand's geothermal systems.

• We have thermal energy contained in rocks deep in the earth

• hot lakes, streams

• steaming ground

• hot springs (including geysers)

• unique plants, animals and micro-organisms that live there.

• It is clean/ reliable and renewable

• NZ started using geothermal resources to generate electricity since 1900's

• Our fits geothermal power station began in 1958

How do we use the geothermal heat here in New Zealand?

· We use geothermal energy for electricity generation, industrial process heat and domestic heating, to horticultural activities/ aqua cultural activities and spa bathing

· New Zealand needs to move away from its reliance on fossil fuels and make greater use of renewable energy resources

· Geothermal energy helps us reduce our greenhouse gas emissions

Geothermal areas in New Zealand

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