Geothermal

• Geothermal energy is energy from the Earth's heat, tapped for human use
• Geothermal energy is cheaper than electricity production using natural gas, coal, and hydropower
• Geothermal energy is the best energy source for the Philippines because the country ranks second in the world's production of geothermal energy, with 14.4% of its total power generation coming from geothermal sources
• Geothermal energy is renewable, has no fuel cost, and does not produce harmful polluting gases
• Geothermal power plants in the Philippines are located in various mountains like Mt. Apo, Mt. Bulalo, and Mt. Olilia
• Steps in generating electricity in a geothermal power plant:

  • Wells are drilled deep into the Earth to pump steam or hot water to the surface
  • The drop in pressure causes the water to turn into steam
  • The steam spins the turbine connected to the generator that produces electricity
  • Cooling towers cool the steam back to water, which is pumped back into the Earth to begin the process again
• Geothermal energy is a sustainable energy source that will not easily run out
• Geothermal energy is the heat stored deep within the earth, originating from melted magma and the decay of radioactive substances
• Heat from the volcano can be utilized as an energy source, which is geothermal energy
• Most geothermal energy resources are found in areas around plate borders where volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur
• The first geothermal power plant in the Philippines is located in Albay
• Geothermal energy is generated in two ways:

  • Geothermal power plants: heat from within the earth changes water into steam, which turns steam turbines to generate electricity
  • Geothermal heat pumps: remove heat from fluid in the earth, concentrate it, and transfer it to buildings for heating or cooling
• Steps to generate electricity in a geothermal power plant:

  1. Drill wells into the earth to pump steam or hot water to the surface

  2. Water turns into steam due to pressure drop at the surface

  3. Steam spins a turbine connected to a generator to produce electricity

  4. Steam is cooled in a cooling tower, condenses back to water, and is pumped back into the earth to repeat the process
• The correct sequence of the flow of energy in a Geothermal Power Plant is: hot water, steam, turbine, generator, electricity
• Advantages of geothermal energy:

  • Renewable and accessible worldwide
  • Environmentally friendly with low carbon footprint
  • Geothermal reservoirs are naturally replenished, making it sustainable
• Disadvantages of geothermal energy:

  • Initial high costs for building and maintenance
  • Environmental concerns like gas release during digging and potential minor earthquakes near volcanic areas
  • Proper supervision needed for stability and disposal of low levels of toxic materials in geothermal fluids
• Geo means Earth

  Thermal means Heat

  Geothermal energy means energy from Earth's heat
• Conventional Geothermal System


  utilizes steam from natural resources such as geysers or by drawing water from the hot, high-temperature depths of the earth
• Supercritical Geothermal System


  A naturally occuring hot water or steams flows heated by magma and circulating through permeable rock. In volcanic geothermal energy, the heat comes from supercritical. The energy from supercritical water is mucb higher than conventional steam.
• The energy from supercritical water is much higher than conventional steam.
• In volcanic geothermal energy, the heat comes from supercritical.