Deep underground at Sanford Lab, researchers have built a test bed for ‘Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS)’. EGS is an engineered approach to geothermal energy – energy from hot rocks deep in the earth. Students explore heat transfer and heat capacity. They then learn how heat can be extracted from the rock by forcing water through stimulated fractures, and how the test bed at Sanford Lab enables researchers to study the geological features and engineering required to do this in a safe, efficient manner.
Educator Resource: Presentation
Hot Rocks-Renewable Energy from the Earth
Students explore heat transfer and capacity as they learn how research at Sanford Lab could help inform safe, effective geothermal energy systems of the future.
Level
Middle School