Week 3-4: Geothermal Energy

The following steps are followed to generate

Energy from the Volcano
Since our country is a home to more than a
hundred volcanoes, energy has been tapped
from the depths of the Earth. Actually, the
Philippines ranks third in the world’s production of
geothermal energy. According to the Department
of Energy, 14.4% of the country’s total power of
generation is produced from the geothermal
energy. The production of electricity from
geothermal energy is cheaper than the electricity
production using natural gas, coal, and
hydropower.
What is Geothermal Energy?
The Earth is believed to be extremely hot from
within. This heat from the Earth’s interior is a source
of energy called geothermal energy. The heat of
the Earth warms up water which is trapped in rock
formations beneath its surface.
There are two Geothermal Systems;
a. Conventional Geothermal System utilizes steam
from natural resources such as geysers or by
drawing water from the hot, high-pressure depths
of Earth; and
energy in a geothermal heat pump:
1. Water or a refrigerant moves through a loop of
pipes.
2. When the weather is cold, the water or
refrigerant heats up as it travelsthrough the part of
the loop that's buried underground.
3. Once it gets back above ground, the warmed
water or refrigerant transfers heat into the building.
4. The water or refrigerant cools down after its heat
is transferred. It is pumped back underground
where it heats up once more, starting the process
again.
5. On a hot day, the system can run in reverse. The
water or refrigerant cools the building and then is
pumped underground where extra heat is
transferred to the ground around the pipes.
In the Philippines, geothermal power plants are
used to generate electricity in Tiwi (Albay),
Kidapawan (North Cotabato), Calaca (Laguna),
Tongonan (Leyte), Bago City (Negros Occidental),
Valencia (Negros Oriental), and Bacon
(Sorsogon).
Power Plant Volcano Location

b. Supercritical Geothermal System a naturally Tiwi Geothermal Power Plant Mt. Malinao Tiwi, Albay
occurring hot water or steams flows heated by Mindanao Geothermal Mt. Apo Kidapawan,
magma and circulating through permeable rock. Production Field Cotabato
In volcanic geothermal energy, the heat comes
Makiling-Banahaw (Mak-Ban) Mt. Bulalo nad Mt. Laguna
from supercritical. The energy from supercritical Geothermal Power Plant Olilia
water is much higher than conventional steam.
Leyte Geothermal Power Plants Various Mountains Leyte
How is geothermal energy generated? (Malitbog, Upper Mahiao,
Mahanagdong, Tongonan)
Geothermal energy is generated in two ways: Negros Occidental Power Various Mountains, Negros
geothermal power plants and geothermal heat Plants (Northern Negros, Northern – Mt. Kanlaon Occidental
Palinpinon, Nasulo) Southern – Mt. Talinis
pumps. They differ in the depth of heat source to
BacMan Geothermal Power Pocdol Mountains Sorsogon
produce energy. In geothermal power plants, the Stations 1 and 2
heat from deep inside the Earth is used to produce
steam to generate electricity. In comparison with
geothermal heat pumps, it uses the heat coming
from close to the Earth’s surface to heat water or
provide heat for buildings.
The following steps are followed to generate
electricity in a geothermal power plant:
1. Wells are drilled deep into the earth to pump
steam or hot water to the surface.
2. When the water reaches the surface, the drop
in pressure causes the water to turn into steam.
3. The steam spins a turbine, which is connected
to a generator that produces electricity.
4. Cooling tower cools the steam and condenses
it back to water.
5. The cooled water is pumped back into the earth
to begin the process again.