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1,000,000 kilowatts need to be produced. Secondly, the cost is still high when compared to today's most common sources of energy production: fossil fuels and atomic energy.
G
A further consideration is the amount of risk involved in successfully setting up a new geothermal power production facility. The drilling that must extend 2.000 to 3,000 m below the surface must be accurate to within a matter of just a few metres one side or the other of the targeted location. To achieve this, extensive surveys, drilling expertise and time are needed. It is not uncommon for a project to encompass ten years from its planning stage to the start of operations. The extent of the risks involved is clear.
H Although it has long been considered a resource-poor nation, Japan, which is thought to have about 10% of the world's geothermal resources, may well have considerable advantages for tapping into geothermal power. It does have one of the longest serving power stations using geothermal energy. The station, built in 1966, pointed the way to the future when the country was affected by the two global oil shocks in the 1970s. Now there are some 17 plants in operation throughout the country which
are responsible for a total output of over 530,000 kilowatts. This figure, though impressive, accounts for a mere 0.4% of Japan's total generation of electricity.
Clearly then, further progress needs to be made in the development of geothermal energy. As long as costs remain high in comparison to other sources of energy, geothermal power will struggle to match the efficiency of existing power sources. Further research and innovation in the field, as well as government support and a sense of urgency, are needed to help propel geothermal energy towards its promising future.
Next Question
1) Accessing geothermal energy at depths greater than 3 km is
A. too difficult B. currently not possible.
Next Reading
C. currently possible.D. not feasible
2) Which paragraph explains the way in which geothermal power is generated?
A. Paragraph A B. Paragraph D
C. Paragraph B D. Paragraph C
3) What is the main idea of Paragraph D?
A. Geothermal power can provide a stable supply of electricity.B. Geothermal power is more efficient than solar power
C. Hydroelectric power is close to Geothermal power in terms of production cost.
D. A comparison between various energy sources
4) Geothermal energy is still relatively expensive to generate.
A. Not Given
B. False
C. True
5) It can take a decade to develop a single geothermal power.
A. False
B. True
C. Not Given
6) Japan is capable of generating one quarter of its energy needs using geothermal energy.
A. True
B. False
C. Not Given
