The process of transforming geothermal energy from cold water into electricity

The diagram illustrates the process of generating electricity from geothermal energy by using cold water and underground heat sources.

Overall, the system involves five main stages, beginning with the pumping of cold water deep underground and culminating in the production of electricity for consumer use. The process makes use of underground hot rocks in the geothermal zone to convert water into steam, which ultimately drives a turbine connected to a generator.

At the first stage, cold water from a storage tank is pumped down through an injection well to a depth of approximately 4.5 kilometres beneath the earth’s surface. Once underground, the water passes through the geothermal zone, which consists of intensely heated rocks. The heat from these rocks raises the temperature of the water, transforming it into hot water.

Next, the hot water is channelled upward via the production well and delivered to a condenser. Inside the condenser, the hot water is converted into steam. This steam is then directed towards a turbine, causing it to spin. The rotation of the turbine subsequently activates the generator, which produces electricity. In the final stage, the generated electricity is transmitted to a power grid, making it available for household and industrial consumption.