Science 9

Quarter 3 - Module 2
Volcanoes and Energy
Aurora A. Franco, EdD

How can the energy from volcanoes be tapped for human use?

Tapping the energy from the depths

You have learned in the previous module that volcanoes are landforms that have access
to earth’s molten rocks. While these landforms are certainly dangerous, people have found ways
to deal with them. You will explore them in this module.

People enjoy the soothing and energizing effect of water from hot springs. In fact, areas
in the Philippines near volcanoes that have access to hot springs have built businesses around it.

Even more important at the community and national levels is the fact that volcanic areas
serve as a resource for production of geothermal energy or heat energy from within the earth. In
a geothermal plant, heat from within the earth changes into steam, which turns steam turbines
that generate electricity.

Because the Philippines is located at the Pacific Ring of Fire, it has many volcanic areas
that can be utilized for geothermal energy production. Energy coming from the volcanoes may
be tapped for human use. This energy is called geothermal energy. Geothermal energy is
produced deep in the earth’s core. It is a renewable resource that can be harnessed to generate
electricity. It contributes to the development of different countries including the Philippines.

Inside the earth, there is naturally occurring hot water and steam called hydrothermal
vent which can be tapped by energy conversion technology to generate electricity.

This conversion of heat energy to electrical energy happens in a geothermal power plant.
Geothermal power plants use turbines, generators, transformers, and other power generating
equipment. The geothermal energy or heat from the earth is tapped by drilling water or steam
wells which is similar in the process of drilling oil. The steps are illustrated in Figure 1.

Types of Geothermal Power Plants

Geothermal power plants have three types. Each type operates differently but are similar
in such a way that it requires water and heat from deep within the earth. These are dry steam,
flash steam, and binary cycle geothermal power plants.

1. Dry steam - this type of geothermal power plant directly utilizes the steam from deep within
the earth to make the turbine spin. While there a re a lot of locations where heated water
 wells up from the surface of the earth, only a few of them can produce dry steam. This is the
reason why dry steam geothermal power plants are not that common. Among the three types
of geothermal power plants, the dry steam requires the highest temperature. This is because
water needs to have enough heat to be converted to steam and to force the turbine to move.
However, this uses the least amount of liquid water to operate since it works with the help
of steam, hence the usage of the term “dry steam”.

2. Flash cycle steam - this type of power plant is more common and requires less temperature
than dry steam geothermal power plants. This geothermal power plant requires a lesser
temperature at about 180°C. The water from beneath the earth is directed to the plant
through a large pipe. Once on the surface, the water goes into a flash tank which lowers its
boiling point to convert it to steam. The steam is then used to spin the turbine. The excess
water from this station is then injected back deep into the earth.

3. Binary cycle - this type of geothermal power plant can be found in areas where there is a
lower temperature of water rising from the surface as compared to flash cycle steam
geothermal power plants. The water from the surface of the earth is used to heat up another
liquid with a lower boiling and flash point. The steam from this liquid is then used to spin the
turbine. Common liquids that are used in this are pentane and isobutane due to their low
boiling temperature.