Geothermal power

Geothermal energy is thermal energy generated and stored in the earth. Ninety nine per cent of the earth’s volume has temperatures over 1,000°C, with only 0.1 per cent at temperatures less than 100°C. The total heat content of the earth is estimated to be about 1013 EJ and is thus immense. The main sources of geothermal energy are the residual energy from planet formation and the energy continuously generated by radionuclide decay. Earth radiates heat to the atmosphere, with a thermal power of 40 million MW without experiencing any surface cooling. This amount of heat is equivalent to the thermal power of about 13,000 1-GWe nuclear power plants. Thus, the geothermal resource base is ubiquitous and sufficiently large to be a significant energy source. Geothermal resources consist of thermal energy stored within the earth in rock, trapped steam or water. Exploitation of geothermal energy occurs through two means: electricity generation and direct use in space heating, balneotherapy, greenhouses, etc. In this study, only power generation is considered.

Sustainable Development Goals:

Affordable and Clean Energy

Climate Action