Climate1 min read

India's clean energy plan goes deeper

By · Published by Everything Blog

In short

India has mapped 381 hot springs and roughly 10.6 gigawatts of estimated theoretical geothermal energy potential to support its clean power objectives. To advance extraction capabilities, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy recently sanctioned five targeted research and development projects. These ventures include testing power generation from unproductive oil and gas wells in Ankleshwar and running a hybrid solar-geothermal demonstration project in Gandhinagar that produces between 50 and 90 kilowatts. International partnerships with experienced nations are also being leveraged to help transition these early-stage technologies into viable commercial power sources.

Key points

  • Geothermal energy provides consistent round-the-clock power and diverse thermal applicati…: Geothermal energy provides consistent round-the-clock power and diverse thermal applications that overcome the intermittency of solar and wind resources.
  • Commercial power generation remains in an early stage, prompting exploration into unprodu…: Commercial power generation remains in an early stage, prompting exploration into unproductive oil wells and advanced extraction systems.
  • Bilateral agreements with Australia, Iceland, and Saudi Arabia have established geotherma…: Bilateral agreements with Australia, Iceland, and Saudi Arabia have established geothermal development as a shared international research priority.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

India has an estimated theoretical geothermal energy potential of around 10.6 GW. The government is now working to develop this resource through research, pilot projects, international partnerships and a national policy framework.

What is geothermal energy and how does it work?

Geothermal energy is the heat stored beneath the Earth's surface. It is generated by the planet's internal heat, including energy released through the radioactive decay of elements such as uranium, thorium and potassium, as well as residual heat from the Earth's formation.Read more - 15+ features of India's first Bullet Train: Not just 280 kmph speed, check its interiors, passenger facilities and advanced technology

In a geothermal power plant, steam or hot fluid from underground is used to drive a turbine connected to a generator. Unlike conventional thermal power plants, the process does not require burning coal or other fossil fuels to produce heat. The water is generally cooled and reinjected into the underground reservoir after use.

Geothermal energy is not limited to electricity generation. It can also be used directly for heating and cooling buildings, agriculture, aquaculture and…

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