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Geothermal Energy: Harnessing the Power of the Earth
http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/kqedcl11.sci.ess.geothermalenergy/

KQED, Teachers' Domain

This video describes how geothermal heat resources in California have been tapped to supply 850 MW of electricity. Images and animations show how the area known as The Geysers has been developed to capture steam, produced from trapped rainwater and heated by the earth. Major challenges include finding suitable geothermal resources to develop, and ensuring that underground water is replenished.

Video length 7:36 min.

Learn more about Teaching Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness»


Climate Literacy

This Video builds on the following concepts of Climate Literacy.

Click a topic below for supporting information, teaching ideas, and sample activities.

Energy Literacy

This Video builds on the following concepts of Energy Literacy.

Click a topic below for supporting information, teaching ideas, and sample activities.

Notes From Our Reviewers The CLEAN collection is hand-picked and rigorously reviewed for scientific accuracy and classroom effectiveness. Read what our review team had to say about this resource below or learn more about how CLEAN reviews teaching materials
Teaching Tips | Science | Pedagogy | Technical Details

Teaching Tips

  • After viewing this video and associated materials, students could explore other areas of the country (or world) that are utilizing or developing geothermal energy sources.

About the Content

  • Video explains how geothermal energy is tapped, converted to steam, transported to generators, and and converted to electricity.
  • Comments from expert scientist: Highlights challenges with drilling, including its high cost. Focuses on geothermal steam power plants, which are rare.

About the Pedagogy

Technical Details/Ease of Use

  • Parts of the video are a bit grainy. The downloadable version is higher resolution for projection.
Entered the Collection: January 2013 Last Reviewed: November 2016

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