Geothermal, a Viable Eco-Friendly Source of Energy for India

Abstract

Geothermal exploration carried out in India, so far, has generated valuable data through extensive surface, geoscientific studies backed up by exploratory drilling down to depths of about 500 meters at selected geothermal localities generated valuable data concerning structural, geological, geochemical, hydrological and thermal parameters of geothermal systems. About 340 geothermal hot springs which are characterized by Tertiary and Quaternary orogenic activity in the Himalayas, Mesozoic and Tertiary block faulting and epiorogenic activity in the shield areas, and moderately active seismicity and intense neotectonism have been identified by the Geological Survey of India (GSI). A total of about 10,000 MW could be generated from Himalaya, Naga Lushai, Andaman-Nicobar Islands, West Coast, Cambay Graben, Aravalli, Son-Narmada-Tapi, Godavari and Mahanadi, South Indian Cratonic geothermal provinces in India. However, the geothermal reservoirs in India are of low to medium enthalpy type where surface temperatures vary from 80 to 1050C thus requiring a Binary Power Plant to convert their geothermal energy into electricity.