Heat present in the earth due to molten rock (in volcanic regions) nearer to the earth surface Is used to generated electricity is known as geothermal energy.
Heat is tapped from hot rocks by natural or forced water circulation and using steam produced to drive turbine generating electricity.
The geological survey of India has identified has 350 geothermal energy locations in the country.
The most promising of these is in Puga valley of Ladakh. The estimated potential for geothermal energy in India is about 10,000 MW. The other important geothermal provinces are the Himalayas than, west coast, Camay, son Narmada Tapi Godavari, Mahanadi and island (Andaman and Nicobar Islands)
Geothermal energy
Uses of geothermal energy
- It is used to generate electricity.
- It is used to heat building in cold regions by the water from these wells.
- Heat obtained from these wells can be used for various industrial applications like rayon production, protein and vitamin synthesis desalination, plastic manufacture etc.