Status of Direct Use of Geothermal Energy in the Philippines

Abstract

This paper attempts to highlight the nonelectrical and direct utilization of geothermal energy in the Philippines. Aside from the drying plants in Palinpinon and Manito, hotspring resorts and private pools utilizing hot water from the province of Laguna is included in this paper. In addition, the geothermal salt making pilot plant in Tiwi, Albay is mentioned in this paper although it has already been decommissioned in 1984.
The Palinpinon multicrop drying facility demonstrate the direct use of geothermal resources for agro-industrial purposes and uses low enthalpy waste from the geothermal plant of Southern Negros Geothermal Plant. On the otherhand, the Manito Lowland Drying Plant uses the low enthalpy system from the geothermal reservoir of Bacman Geothermal Field. The drying plants are designed to dehydrate agricultural and marine products to raise the quality and meet higher standards and to reduce post-harvest losses of agricultural and marine produce in the area.
Meanwhile, more than 500 hotspring resorts and pools are using natural hot water at the foot of Mt. Makiling in Laguna. Mt. Makiling also hosts the 425.73 MWe Makban Geothermal Power Plant. Commercial pools and resorts are designed for recreational and therapeutic purposes.
The salt making plant in Tiwi, Albay uses excess geothermal steam from a 2.5 KW demonstration power plant to effect the evaporation of seawater. Geothermal steam heats and boils the sea water effecting selective precipitation through evaporation and concentration.