Geothermal Energy
Thermal energy from Earth's interior extracted via steam wells or hot water reservoirs for electricity generation and direct heating.
Formula
Geothermal Gradient ≈ 25–30°C per km depth
Real World
Iceland generates 30% of its electricity and heats 90% of its buildings using geothermal energy from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, making it one of the world's least carbon-intensive energy systems.
Exam Focus
Emphasise geothermal's high capacity factor (70–90%) as a baseload advantage over intermittent renewables — this is a frequent exam comparison question.
How well did you know this?