Science 9

Quarter 3
Geothermal Energy
 EXPECTATIONS

At the end of this module, you are expected to:

1. create a diagrammatic representation of geothermal energy flow in a
geothermal power plant.;
2. explain how geothermal energy is transformed into electrical energy; and
3. realize the importance of geothermal energy.
 RECAP
In your previous lesson, you have learned the type of energy from volcanoes
and the location of volcanoes in the Philippines which are good sources of
geothermal energy. To refresh your understanding ofthe previous lesson, answer
this simple review.

True or False. Write TRUE if the statement is correct; if FALSE, replace the
underlined word to make it correct.

1. Geothermal energy refers to the energy which flows out from the center to the
surface of Earth.
2. The heat rising from the magma warms underground pools of water called
geothermal power plant.
3. Geothermal energy starts with a hot, molten rock called magma, found
kilometers below Earth’s surface.
4. Geothermal energy is used to produce electricity.
5. Philippines remains the world’s second-largest user of geothermal energy.

LESSON

Look at figure 1. It is one of the

geothermal power plants in the
Philippines.

Geothermal power plants are

found in places where it is particularly
hot just below the surface such as near
a group of geysers, hot springs, or
volcanic activity.They generate energy
by carrying heat to the surface via fluid
circulation through various types of
mechanics.

The main energy transformations

in geothermal power stations are:
Thermal->Mechanical ->Electric
Figure 1.Palinpinon Power Plant,
Valencia, Negros Oriental, Philippines
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:193_MW_Pali
npinon.jpghttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:19
3_MW_Palinpinon.jpg
 How does geothermal energy work?

A geothermal power plant uses steam from a geothermal reservoir. A

geothermal reservoir is an underground pool of hot water found below the earth's
surface. Figure no 2 depicts the geothermal power system. The geothermal power
plant undergoes a series of steps to produce electricity for human consumption. Very
hot water or steam is pumped from beneath the earth through a series of wells and
is used to activate the turbine.The mechanical energy caused by the spinning of the
blades on the shaft is used to spin magnets and generatean electric current. Thetwo
devices such as the turbine and generator considered as theimportant components
of the geothermal power plant system, that produce electricity from geothermal
energy(Figure 2).

Figure 2. Steps to generate electricity in a geothermal power plant

Source:https://archive.epa.gov/climatechange/kids/solutions/technologies/geoth
ermal.html
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 hot water

to turn into steam.

3. The steam spins a turbine, which is connected to a generator that produces

electricity.

4. The cooling tower cools the steam which condenses back to the water.

5. The cooled water is pumped back into the Earth to begin the process again.

Adapted ( U.S. EPA Student’s Guide to Global Climate Change)

 ACTIVITIES

Module No 8: Activity No. 1: How does geothermal energy work?

Learning Competency:
1. Create a diagrammatic representation of geothermal energy flow in a
geothermal power plant.
2. Explain how geothermal energy is transformed into electrical energy.
3. Realize the importance of geothermal energy.

Learning Objective:

1. Explain how geothermal energy is transformed into electrical energy.

Direction: A. Fill in the missing word/s to complete the paragraph. Use the choice
box given below.

Geothermal power plants use (1) to produce electricity from

geothermal (2) , the underground pools of hot water found a few miles
or more below the (3) . The steam spins a (4) that
activates a (5) , which produces electricity.

steam earth's surface reservoirs generator turbine

A. Arrange in sequence the steps to generate electricity in a geothermal power

Plant. Number the steps 1- 5. Write your answer below the number.

When the water reaches the surface, the drop in pressure causes the hot
water to turn into steam.
Wells are drilled deep into the Earth to pump steam or hot water to the
surface.
The cooled water is pumped back into the Earth to begin the process again.
The cooling tower cools the steam which condenses back to the water.
The steam spins a turbine, which is connected to a generator that produces
electricity.

Closure:

Based on the activity, explain how geothermal energy work?

 WRAP-UP

Summing up your learnings acquired from this module.

Direction: Complete the flow chart showing the geothermal energy flow in a
geothermal power plant.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

VALUING
Module No 4: Activity No. 3: Energy Boost!
Learning Competency:
1. Create a diagrammatic representation of geothermal energy flow in a
geothermal power plant.
2. Explain how geothermal energy is transformed into electrical energy.
3. Realize the importance of geothermal energy.

Learning Objective:
Appreciate the importance of geothermal energy.

I. Direction: Study the diagram of a natural geothermal system.

A Natural Geothermal System

Source: https://www.intechopen.com/books/updates-in-volcanology-new-advances-in-understanding-
volcanic-systems/volcanic-natural-resources-and-volcanic-landscape-protection-an-overview
 II. Guide Questions:
1. Based on the illustration, cite some ways on how we could utilize the
energy from Earth’s interior aside from being able to generate
electricity.
2. Geothermal energy is used to produce electrical energy. As a student,
what will you do to minimize consumption and pay lower electric
bills?
3. How will you persuade people to protect our environment?

Closure: Why is it necessary to know the importance of geothermal energy?

POSTTEST

Multiple Choice: Choose the letter of the correct answer.

1. Which converts the mechanical energy into electrical energy?

A. Condenser C. Production well
B. Injection well D. Turbines
2. Which statement is NOT true about the production of electricity from a
geothermal system?
A. Steam causes the turbine to turn
B. The generator causes the water to turn into steam
C. Generator changes the mechanical energy to electrical energy
D. In geothermal power plants, the heat from deep inside the Earth is used
toproduce steam
3. Which of the following processes show the mechanical energy in a geothermal
power system?
A. The steam spins a turbine, which is connected to a generator that
produces electricity.
B. Hot water or steam is extracted from the earth through a series of wells
C. When the water reaches the surface, the drop in pressure causes the hot
waterto turn into steam.
D. Both B and C are correct.
4. What type of energy initiates the production of electricity?
A. Electrical C. Nuclear
B. Mechanical D. Thermal or Heat
5. Based on the diagram, which of the following describes procedure no.3?
A. The heat from inside the earth.
B. Steam causes the turbine to turn.
C. Heat causes the water to turn into
steam.
D. The cooled water is pumped back into
the Earth to begin the process again.