Online version: PDF - DTIE

182
UNIT 5: THE SUSTAINABLE SITING, DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF TOURISM FACILITIES
winter, but the direction of flow is reversed. This technology takes advantage of
the fact that the temperature in the ground varies less with the seasons than does
the temperature of the atmosphere.
As geothermal heat pumps use electricity to move heat and not generate it, they
are extremely efficient and generate three to four times the amount of energy they
consume. Buildings using this technology have lowered heating/cooling-related
electricity consumption by 50-80%.
Geothermal resources with temperatures as high as 648°F can be used to heat
water as well as produce electricity. Large resources can be used to produce
district heating. In Iceland for example, the entire city of Reykjavik is heated by
geothermal energy. The USA, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Sweden and Canada
are pioneers in geothermal technology. Many hotels in these countries operate
individual geothermal wells, and even use them to melt ice on driveways. In
Sweden, the construction of two nuclear power plants has been abandoned in
favour of geothermal technology.
The geothermal heat pump (GHP) concept
used to extract heat from the ground to
supply a building. In the winter heat is
removed from the earth and delivered in
a concentrated form via the heat pump.
Because electricity is used, in effect, to
increase the temperature of the heat, not to
produce it, the GHP can deliver three to four
times more energy than it consumes.
Source: Renewable Energy
geothermal heat
pump (heating, cooling,
domestic hot water)
ground loop -
plastic pipe
in drill hole
S
E
C
T
I
O
N
3
Small Hydro Power Systems
Water intake
Ecowatt micro hydro-electric system
Source: Working Group on
Technology
Electric
Line
Pipeline
Generator
Turbine
Regulation
System
Tailwater