CHAPTER IV

GEOTHERMAL POWERPLANT IN THE PHILIPPINES

This chapter focuses on the data gathered, the results of the analysis done, and the interpretation

of different findings. The findings will be presented in relation to the research objectives stated

in the study. The method used to analyze the data will be discussed in this chapter.

ADVANTAGES OF GEOTHERMAL POWERPLANT IN THE PHILIPPINES

 High Energy Potential:

o The Philippines has one of the world's largest geothermal energy resources, with a

potential of up to 4,715 MW of installed capacity (Energy.gov.ph). This high

potential means that geothermal energy can provide a significant portion of the

country's electricity needs.

 Consistent and Reliable:

o Geothermal power plants in the Philippines can provide a consistent and reliable

source of electricity, as the heat source is constant and predictable. This contrasts

with other renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, which can be

intermittent and dependent on weather conditions (Energy.gov.ph).

 Environmentally Friendly:
 o Geothermal power plants produce significantly less greenhouse gas emissions

compared to fossil fuels. According to the Department of Energy (DOE),

geothermal energy has one of the lowest carbon footprints among all energy

sources, emitting only 0.01-0.1 pounds of CO2 per kWh of electricity produced

(DOE.gov.ph).

 Local Economic Development:

o Geothermal energy development in the Philippines can lead to local economic

development, as it creates job opportunities and stimulates economic growth in

the surrounding communities (Energy.gov.ph).

 Cost Competitive:

o Geothermal energy in the Philippines is cost competitive with other forms of

energy, particularly fossil fuels. According to a study by the International

Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE)

from geothermal power plants in the Philippines is between 5 and 8 US cents per

kWh, which is lower than the LCOE of coal and gas-fired power plants

(IRENA.org).

 Renewable and Sustainable Energy Source:

o Geothermal energy is a renewable and sustainable energy source as it is derived

from the heat of the earth's crust. According to the Department of Energy (DOE)

in the Philippines, the country has an estimated 4,715 MW of geothermal

potential, making it one of the most attractive destinations for geothermal

investments in the world. (PIDS,2015)

DISADVANTAGES OF GEOTHERMAL POWERPLANTS IN THE PHILIPPINES

 Limited Availability:

o Although the Philippines has significant geothermal potential, not all areas in the

country are suitable for geothermal development. According to a study by the

Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), only a few locations in the

country have favorable geological conditions for geothermal power generation.

(PIDS, 2015)

 High Initial Cost:

o The construction of a geothermal power plant requires high initial capital

investment, making it a less attractive option for small-scale power generation.

According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the high

upfront costs of geothermal projects may result in higher electricity tariffs

compared to other renewable energy sources. (IRENA.org)

 Environmental Concerns:

o While geothermal power plants emit significantly less carbon dioxide than fossil

fuel power plants, they still have environmental impacts. The construction of

geothermal power plants can cause soil erosion, deforestation, and loss of habitat

for wildlife. The operation of geothermal power plants can also result in the

release of toxic gases, such as hydrogen sulfide, which can have negative impacts

on human health and the environment. (epa.gov 2019)

  Environmental Concerns:

o While geothermal power plants emit significantly less carbon dioxide than fossil

fuel power plants, they still have environmental impacts. The construction of

geothermal power plants can cause soil erosion, deforestation, and loss of habitat

for wildlife. The operation of geothermal power plants can also result in the

release of toxic gases, such as hydrogen sulfide, which can have negative impacts

on human health and the environment. (doe.gov 2021)

TYPES OF GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANT

Geothermal power plants draw fluids from underground reservoirs to the surface to

produce steam. This steam then drives turbines that generate electricity. There are three main

types of geothermal power plant technologies: Dry steam, Flash steam, and Binary cycle. The

type of conversion is part of the power plant design and generally depends on the state of the

subsurface fluid (steam or water) and its temperature.

 DRY STEAM

Figure 1.1

Dry steam plants use hydrothermal fluids that are already mostly steam, which is a

relatively rare natural occurrence. The steam is drawn directly to a turbine, which drives a

generator that produces electricity. After the steam condenses, it is frequently reinjected into the

reservoir. Dry steam power plant systems are the oldest type of geothermal power plants, first

used in Lardarello, Italy, in 1904. Steam technology is still relevant today and is currently in use

in northern California at The Geysers, the world's largest single source of geothermal power.
 FLASH STEAM

Figure 1.2

Flash steam plants are the most common type of geothermal power plants in

operation today. Fluids at temperatures greater than 182°C/360°F, pumped from deep

underground, travel under high pressures to a low-pressure tank at the earth’s surface. The

change in pressure causes some of the fluid to rapidly transform, or “flash,” into vapor. The

vapor then drives a turbine, which drives a generator. If any liquid remains in the low-pressure

tank, it can be “flashed” again in a second tank to extract even more energy.
 BINARY-CYCLE

Figure 1.3

Binary-cycle geothermal power plants can use lower temperature geothermal resources,

making them an important technology for deploying geothermal electricity production in more

locations. Binary-cycle geothermal power plants differ from dry steam and flash steam systems

in that the geothermal reservoir fluids never come into contact with the power plant’s turbine

units. Low-temperature (below 182°C/360°F) geothermal fluids pass through a heat exchanger

with a secondary, or "binary," fluid. This binary fluid has a much lower boiling point than water,

and the modest heat from the geothermal fluid causes it to flash to vapor, which then drives the

turbines, spins the generators, and creates electricity.

COMPONENTS OF GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANT

4
1 3
2

6
5

Figure 1.1

2
1
3

6
5

Figure 1.2
 2

6
5

Figure 1.3

2
1
3

4
8

6 5

Figure 1.4
Figure 1.1 to 1.4 shows the main components of the Geothermal plant and how it operates, but

1.2 to 1.4 shows a little different to 1.1. the main components of geothermal (1) Turbine a

rotational energy from the turning turbine shaft is used directly to spin magnets inside a large

coil and create electrical current, The turbine and (2) Generator are the primary pieces of

equipment used to convert geothermal energy to electrical energy. (3) Condenser is a heat

exchanger where vapor from the turbine is transferred into liquid by removing the latent heat

with the help of a coolant, (4) Cooling tower is an integrated part of any geothermal power plant

because waste heat from turbine exhaust steam must be continuously rejected to make the plants

operate. According to the heat dump choice, the cooling system can be classified as wet cooling

and dry cooling. (5) Injection well is drilled for the safe disposal of geothermal fluids. A (6)

Production well is drilled into a known geothermal reservoir. Typically, an injection well is also

drilled to return used geothermal fluids to the geothermal reservoir. Hot geothermal fluids flow

through pipes to a power plant for use in generating electricity. (7) Steam-water separator the

most important components at a geothermal plant. Separators ensure only clean, dry steam enters

the turbine. In Binary cycle power plant it has A (8) Heat exchanger is used to transfer heat

from the geothermal fluid to the working fluid, and the cooled brine is then rejected to the

environment or re-injected.

APPLIANCES AND BUSINESSES THAT USE GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANTS

 Direct use and district heating systems

Direct use and district heating systems use hot water from springs or reservoirs located

near the earth's surface. Ancient Roman, Chinese, and Native American cultures used hot mineral

springs for bathing, cooking, and heating.

 Geothermal electricity generation

Geothermal electricity generation requires water or steam at high temperatures (300° to

700°F). Geothermal power plants are generally built where geothermal reservoirs are located,

within a mile or two of the earth's surface.

 Geothermal heat pumps

Geothermal heat pumps use the constant temperatures near the surface of the earth to heat

and cool buildings. Geothermal heat pumps transfer heat from the ground (or water) into

buildings during the winter and reverse the process in the summer.

Energy production capacity of Geothermal Power Plant in the Philippines (2022)

CAPACITY(MW)
INSTALLED DEPENDABLE
LUZON
864.5 768.7
VISAYAS
955.1 881.1
MINDANAO
112.1 106.9
TOTAL
1,932 1,757
Source: Philippines Department of Energy
Table 1.1
 The table above describes the total installed and dependable capacity of Geothermal

power plant in each region of the Philippines.

The energy production of every fuel type of power plants in the Philippines (2022)

FUEL TYPE CAPACITY (MW) PERCENT SHARE (%)

INSTALLED DEPENDABLE INSTALLED DEPENDABLE
Coal 12,441 11,563 43.9 48.4
Oil Based 3,931 2,936 13.9 12.3
Natural Gas 3,732 2,172 13.2 9.1
Renewable 8,255 7,223 29.1 30.2
Energy
Geothermal 1,932 1,757 6.8 7.4
Hydro 3,745 3,460 13.2 14.5
Biomass 603 341 2.1 1.4
Solar 1,548 1,238 5.5 5.2
Wind 427 427 1.5 1.8
TOTAL 28,358 23,894 100.0 100.0
Source: Philippines Department of Energy
Table 2.1
The table shows the energy production and the percent share of each type of fuel in the

Philippines.

List of Geothermal Power Plant in the Philippines (2022)

GEOTHERMAL CAPACITY(MW) LOCATION YEAR

POWER PLANT Installed Dependable COMMISSIONED
LUZON
GRID-CONNECTED
GEOTHERMAL 832.5 736.7
BACMAN 140.0 133.0 BAC-MAN I:
Brgy. Nagotgot,
 Manito, Albay Sep-1993
BAC-MAN II:
Brgy. Bulabog,
Sorsogon City,
Sorsogon
MAKBAN 442.8 374.6 Calauan and
Bay Laguna and Apr-1979
Brgy. Sta.Elena,
Sto. Tomas
Batangas
MAKBAN-BINARY 15.7 5.8 Bay, Laguna Apr-1979
TIWI 234.0 223.3 Tiwi, Albay Jan-1979
GEOTHERMAL 32.0 32.0
MAIBARA 1 20.0 20.0 Brgy. San
Rafael, Sto. Feb-2014
Tomas,
Batangas
MAIBARA 2 12.0 12.0 Brgy. San
Rafael, Sto. May-2018
Tomas,
Batangas
VISAYAS
GEOTHERMAL 955.1 881.1
TONGONAN I GPP 123.0 115.4 Barangay
Tongonan, Mar-1983 / Jun-1983
Kananga,
Leyte
NASULO GPP 49.4 48.5 Puhagan,
Valencia, Sep-2014
Negros
Oriental
PALINPINON GPP 172.5 165.8 Puhagan,
Valencia, May / Jul / Aug 1983
Negros
Oriental

UNIFIED LEYTE 610.2 551.4 Barangay

Tongonan, Jul 1996 / 1997
Ormoc and
Barangays
Lim-ao and
Tongonan,
Kananga,
Leyte
 MINDANAO
GEOTHERMAL 112.1 106.9
MT APO - EDC GPP 108.5 103.3 Barangay
Ilomavis, Dec-1996
Kidapawan,
North Cotabato
Mindanao 3 (M3) Binary 3.6 3.6 Barangay
Geothermal Plant Ilomavis, Apr-2022
Kidapawan,
North Cotabato
Source: Philippines Department of Energy

Table 3.1
The table shows the list of all HEPP in the Philippines sorted from the specified region

and from latest to earliest.