A Visual Crash Course on Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy uses heat from the Earth's core to produce electricity, offering a weather-independent renewable source, though it is limited by high costs and specific geological requirements. As of 2021, global capacity was 16 GW, with the United States leading at 3.7 GW. Future growth is expected to concentrate in Asia, specifically Indonesia, the Philippines, and New Zealand, while investment in North America and Western Europe is predicted to decline in favor of cheaper wind and solar projects.

• Geothermal energy is generated by accessing hot water reservoirs miles below the Earth's surface; the resulting steam spins a turbine to drive an electric generator, and water is returned via injection wells to maintain sustainability.
• Compared to solar and wind, geothermal energy is advantageous because it is not affected by seasons, weather conditions, or day-night cycles, but it is hindered by high costs and the requirement for specific geological features like volcanic activity.
• Global geothermal power generation reached 16 GW as of 2021, with the United States holding a capacity of 3.7 GW across 61 plants.
• Future geothermal capacity growth is expected to be concentrated in Asia, particularly in Indonesia, the Philippines, and New Zealand along the Pacific Ring of Fire, while investment in North America and Western Europe is expected to decrease as wind and solar projects become more competitive.

APA

Lu, M. (2023). A Visual Crash Course on Geothermal Energy. World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/stories/energy-transition/geothermal-energy-infographics-data-renewable/

Chicago

Lu, Marcus. A Visual Crash Course on Geothermal Energy. World Economic Forum, 2023. https://www.weforum.org/stories/energy-transition/geothermal-energy-infographics-data-renewable/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Lu |first1=Marcus |title=A Visual Crash Course on Geothermal Energy |publisher=World Economic Forum |date=4 January 2023 |url=https://www.weforum.org/stories/energy-transition/geothermal-energy-infographics-data-renewable/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{lu2023visual, author = {Lu, Marcus}, title = {{A Visual Crash Course on Geothermal Energy}}, institution = {World Economic Forum}, year = {2023}, month = jan, url = {https://www.weforum.org/stories/energy-transition/geothermal-energy-infographics-data-renewable/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }