Geothermal Energy

Why in News

A PIB Backgrounder on geothermal energy set out the resource, its potential in India, and its place in the clean energy transition.

Core facts

1. Definition: Geothermal energy is heat stored within the earth. It is drawn from hot rocks and hot water reservoirs below the surface and used for power generation and direct heating.
2. Nature of the resource: Geothermal energy is a renewable and baseload source. It supplies power around the clock, unlike solar and wind, which vary with weather and time of day.

Static Context

1. India’s potential: The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has identified about 340 geothermal hot spring sites. The estimated geothermal power potential is placed around 10,600 megawatts (MW).
2. Key geothermal provinces: Major sites include Puga and Chhumathang in Ladakh, Tattapani in Chhattisgarh, Manikaran in Himachal Pradesh, and the Godavari and Cambay basins.
3. How it works: A geothermal plant taps steam or hot water from a well. The steam drives a turbine. The turbine drives a generator to produce electricity.
4. Uses beyond power: Direct use includes space heating, greenhouse warming, aquaculture and cold storage. Ladakh has seen pilot efforts for geothermal power and heating.
5. Nodal ministry: The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is the nodal ministry for renewable energy sources, including geothermal.
6. Global comparison: Countries with high geothermal output include the United States, Indonesia, the Philippines, Iceland and Kenya. India’s geothermal capacity remains at an early stage.

Prelims angle

1. The location of Puga, Tattapani, Manikaran and other geothermal sites, and the role of the Geological Survey of India in resource mapping.
2. The classification of geothermal as a renewable and baseload source, and the nodal ministry. Site to state matching is a common format.

Mains angle

1. GS Paper 3, infrastructure and energy, and India’s renewable energy mix.
2. A question can ask how baseload renewable sources such as geothermal complement variable solar and wind in the path to energy security.

Matching Previous Year Question

“[2022, GS3, 15] Do you think India will meet 50 percent of its energy needs from renewable energy by 2030 ? Justify your answer. How will the shift of subsidies from fossil fuels to renewables help achieve the above objective? Explain.”