ENERGY FROM VOLCANOES
• Since our country is a home to more than ahundred of volcanoes, energy has beentapped from the. Actually, the Philippinesranked second in the world’s production ofgeothermal energy. Of the country’s totalelectricity production, 27% is generated inthe power plants. The production ofelectricity from geothermal energy ischeaper than the electricity production usingnatural 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.
How is geothermal energy
generated?
• Geothermal energy is generated in
two ways: geothermal plants and
geothermal heat pumps. They differ
on the depth of heat source to
produce energy.
GEOTHERMAL POWER
PLANTS
• In geothermal power plants, the heat
from deep inside the Earth is used to
produce steam to generate electricity.
This type of natural energy production
is environmentally friendly and used in
many geothermal hot spots around
the world.
• To harness the energy, deep holes
are drilled into the earth (much like
when drilling for oil) until a significant
geothermal hot spot is found.
• When the heat source has been
discovered, a pipe is attached deep
down inside the hole which allows hot
steam from deep within the earth’s
crust to rise up to the surface.
• The pressurized steam is then channelled
into a turbine which begins to turn under
the large force of the steam. This turbine
is linked to the generator and so the
generator also begins to turn, generating
electricity. We then pump cold water down
a new pipe which is heated by the earth
and then sent back up the first pipe to
repeat the process.
• In the Philippines, geothermal power plants are used to generate electricity in Tiwi, Albay; Kidapawan, North Cotabato; Calacan, Laguna; Tongonan, Leyte and Bacon Sorsogon. The picture on the right shows BACMAN Geothermal Power Plant in the Bicol Region.
GEOTHERMAL HEAT PUMPS
• In geothermal heat pump, the pump is installed on
a concrete pad above ground, close to the home.
Holes are drilled through the earth for dozens or
hundreds of feet. The depth depends on the
location of geothermal energy pockets in your
region. Two sets of piping are connected to the
pump and fed underground. The pump pushes
cool surface water down through the pipes. As it
passes through the energy pockets, it is heated
and returned to the surface. The heat pump uses
an electric heat exchange unit to transform the hot
water into hot air, which is used to heat the home.
Suggested Videos
• Mexus Education Pvt. Ltd.,: Geothermal Energy (it
shows the production of geothermal energy through the
presentation of the parts of the Earth. It also shows the
origin and the uses of geothermal energy)
http://youtu.be/yrYEgJhLVNQ
• EDC’s Geothermal Power Plant (It presents the world’s
largest geothermal power plant found in the Philippines.
Most effective for Filipino students to develop
nationalism and pride to our country as well as showing
how a power plant works)
http://youtu.be/yrYEgJhLVNQ
Additional References/
Articles:
• http://www.clean-energy-
ideas.com/geothermal/geothermal-
power/geothermal-power-plant
• http://www.ehow.com/how-
does_4966724_geothermal-heat-
pumps-work.html