Geothermal Technologies: Principles, Applications, and Environmental Impact

Question 1

The primary method of harnessing geothermal energy for electricity generation is through:

Accepted Answer

Geothermal power plants

Answer

Solar panels

Answer

Hydroelectric dams

Answer

Wind turbines

Question 2

The process of extracting heat from the Earth using a fluid circulated through a closed-loop system is known as:

Accepted Answer

Ground source heat exchange

Answer

Geothermal drilling

Answer

Hydrothermal stimulation

Answer

Magma extraction

Question 3

Which of the following is a type of enhanced geothermal system (EGS)?

Accepted Answer

Hot dry rock (HDR)

Answer

Geothermal heat exchanger (GHE)

Answer

Aquifer thermal energy storage (ATES)

Answer

Deep geothermal drilling

Question 4

The future of geothermal energy in the United Kingdom is considered:

Accepted Answer

Promising, due to its significant potential for growth

Answer

Limited, because of high exploration costs

Answer

Uncertain, due to environmental concerns

Answer

Bleak

Question 5

Which option below is NOT a geothermal resource type?

Accepted Answer

Fossil fuels

Answer

Dry steam

Answer

Wet steam

Answer

Hot water

Question 6

In binary cycle geothermal power plants, which substance primarily serves as the working fluid?

Accepted Answer

Isobutane

Answer

Water

Answer

Steam

Answer

Pentane

Question 7

Which type of geothermal technology is used to directly heat buildings?

Accepted Answer

Ground source heat pumps

Answer

Geothermal power plants

Answer

Enhanced geothermal systems

Answer

None of the listed technologies

Question 8

What is the primary objective of an enhanced geothermal system (EGS)?

Accepted Answer

To create artificial geothermal reservoirs

Answer

To increase the temperature of existing geothermal reservoirs

Answer

To reduce the cost of geothermal energy generation

Answer

To mitigate the environmental impacts of geothermal energy

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of geothermal energy?

Accepted Answer

Fossil fuel-based

Answer

Renewable

Answer

Sustainable

Answer

Baseload

Question 10

What is the main advantage of a closed-loop geothermal heat pump system?

Accepted Answer

Reduced environmental impact

Answer

Higher efficiency

Answer

Lower installation costs

Answer

Improved reliability

Question 11

What is the main component of a geothermal power plant that converts thermal energy into electricity?

Accepted Answer

Turbine

Answer

Generator

Answer

Heat exchanger

Answer

Condenser

Question 12

What is the purpose of a reinjection well in a geothermal reservoir?

Accepted Answer

To maintain reservoir pressure

Answer

To dispose of wastewater

Answer

To enhance heat transfer

Answer

To prevent subsidence

Question 13

What is the main advantage of using a binary cycle system in a geothermal power plant?

Accepted Answer

Higher efficiency

Answer

Lower operating costs

Answer

Improved reliability

Answer

Reduced environmental impact

Question 14

What geological processes are the primary contributors to the formation of geothermal resources?

Accepted Answer

Plate tectonics and volcanic activity

Answer

Erosion and sedimentation

Answer

Wind and water circulation

Answer

Chemical reactions within the Earth's crust

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT a geothermal resource?

Accepted Answer

Organic matter

Answer

Dry steam

Answer

Hot water

Answer

Geopressured resources

Question 16

Which of the following is not a type of geothermal resource?

Accepted Answer

Fossil fuels

Answer

Hydrothermal

Answer

Geopressured

Answer

Magmatic

Question 17

In a geothermal power plant, the primary working fluid is:

Accepted Answer

Water or steam

Answer

Gas

Answer

Oil

Answer

Air

Question 18

What is the primary purpose of a geothermal heat exchanger?

Accepted Answer

To transfer heat between the geothermal fluid and another fluid

Answer

To store geothermal energy

Answer

To generate electricity

Question 19

Explain the fundamental difference between a dry steam and a flash steam geothermal power plant.

Accepted Answer

In a dry steam plant, the steam is directly extracted from the reservoir, while in a flash steam plant, the steam is generated by flashing high-pressure hot water.

Answer

Dry steam plants utilize turbines, while flash steam plants employ generators.

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT a geothermal resource type?

Accepted Answer

Wind power

Answer

Geopressured

Answer

Enhanced geothermal system (EGS)

Answer

Hot water

Question 21

The key component of a geothermal power plant that transfers heat from geothermal fluid to a working fluid is the:

Accepted Answer

Heat exchanger

Answer

Generator

Answer

Turbine

Answer

Condenser

Question 22

Enhanced geothermal systems (EGSs) are designed to:

Accepted Answer

Create artificial geothermal reservoirs in hot, dry rock formations

Answer

Increase the temperature of existing geothermal reservoirs

Answer

Reduce the cost of geothermal energy production

Answer

Minimize the environmental impact of geothermal energy

Question 23

Ground source heat pumps are primarily used for:

Accepted Answer

Heating and cooling buildings

Answer

Generating electricity

Answer

Desalinating water

Answer

Extracting minerals

Question 24

Geothermal energy is considered environmentally friendly primarily because of its:

Accepted Answer

Minimal greenhouse gas emissions and land use requirements

Answer

High efficiency

Answer

Low operating costs

Answer

Abundant and widely accessible nature

Question 25

Which country is renowned as a global leader in geothermal energy production?

Accepted Answer

Iceland

Answer

United States

Answer

Japan

Answer

China