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Hot Rocks

Learning objectives

Students will gain a basic understanding of the geology that makes a location suitable for a geothermal power plant, and address potential concerns of the local community.

Try the activity

• Teachers Guide
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• Activity sheet
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You will need Acrobat Reader installed to open the activity sheets.

Curriculum link

Energy resources [QCA 7I]
• How renewable energy resources can be used to generate electricity
The rock cycle [QCA 8H]
• Igneous rocks crystallise from magma
• High pressure and temperature changes rocks into different types of rocks
• Evidence for rocks melting

Running the activity

Page 1 sets the scene and gives the information needed to complete the activity. Page 2 puts students in charge of public relations for the new power station. They need to answer the public's questions and reassure them about impact the station will have on the area. Some students might use the information to design a poster for display in the local town, or develop a script for a radio broadcast.

Suggested answers
• Will it be dangerous? It shouldn't be – no more dangerous than the active volcano nearby. That could erupt at any time. But you obviously have to keep the steam you bring up under control.
• How will it benefit my family? The drilling, and making the power station, are expensive. But then the steam that powers the generators is free. So the electricity will be cheap.
• Will it pollute the atmosphere? No: the main gas produced is steam.
• Will the supply be reliable? Very reliable – the hot rock is always there. The water is recycled, so we won't have power cuts every time there's a drought.
• Will it affect wildlife? It's unlikely to affect wildlife because the power station is quite small. The animals won't take any notice of it.
• Will it put off tourists who come here on Safari? Possibly – but the power station will only take up a small area, so we don't need to worry about them spoiling the view.

Web links

News links

BBC

This is an introduction to the news story, with some detail about how the electricity generated is used.

Press release

A useful summary.

Geothermal Power

This is a very useful general website about geothermal energy.

Reviews & Comments

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