Brief Context
In News The Centre for Earth Sciences and Himalayan Studies (CESHS) has successfully drilled Northeast Indias first geothermal production well at Dirang in Arunachal Pradeshs West Kameng district. About the project The Dirang area is a medium-to-high enthalpy geothermal zone (~115°C), with geological features supporting efficient and low-impact drilling. The project involves CESHS, Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI), Icelandic firm Geotropy ehf, and Guwahati Boring Service (GBS).
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Syllabus :GS 3/Environment
In News
- The Centre for Earth Sciences and Himalayan Studies (CESHS) has successfully drilled Northeast India’s first geothermal production well at Dirang in Arunachal Pradesh’s West Kameng district.
About the project
- The Dirang area is a medium-to-high enthalpy geothermal zone (~115°C), with geological features supporting efficient and low-impact drilling.
- The project involves CESHS, Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI), Icelandic firm Geotropy ehf, and Guwahati Boring Service (GBS).
- It is supported by the Arunachal Pradesh government and India’s Ministry of Earth Sciences.
- This marks a major step toward clean, eco-friendly energy solutions in the high-altitude region.
What is Geothermal energy?
- Geothermal energy is heat energy from the earth—geo (earth) + thermal (heat).
- Geothermal resources are reservoirs of hot water that exist or are human-made at varying temperatures and depths below the earth’s surface.
- It taps into the Earth’s subsurface heat for direct heating or electricity generation, requiring medium- to high-temperature resources typically found near tectonic activity.
- Its key advantages are low cost, reliable year-round operation, and the ability to provide steady, dispatchable power—making it increasingly valuable alongside intermittent sources like solar and wind.
| Do you know? – Geothermal energy is a reliable, 24/7 renewable source derived from heat in the Earth’s crust, visible as hot springs and geysers. – It offers high capacity utilization throughout the year. – Globally, the USA, Indonesia, Philippines, Turkey, and New Zealand lead in its use. 1. In India, the Geological Survey of India estimates a potential of 10 GW. |
Applications of Geothermal Energy
- Geothermal energy serves multiple purposes, including heating and cooling buildings with heat pumps, generating electricity with power plants, and directly heating structures through direct-use applications.
- Geothermal energy can be used for fruit, nut, and meat drying, space heating, and controlled-atmosphere storage—key to improving agriculture and living conditions in high-altitude areas.
Concerns
- Geothermal energy can cause minor earthquakes in seismically active areas due to high-pressure water injection
- Drilling and resource exploration require significant investment, making the cost a barrier.
- Viable geothermal sites are often concentrated in specific regions with active tectonic activity.
- It can pose risks such as land subsidence, water use conflicts, and the release of trace gases if not properly managed.
Suggestions and Way Ahead
- The successful drilling in Northeast marks a major milestone in India’s quest for sustainable energy.
- Geothermal energy can play a vital role in a low-carbon, resilient energy future.
- But it needs continued research, technological innovation, and supportive policies to unlock its full potential
- Public and private sector collaboration will be essential in lowering costs, improving drilling techniques, and integrating geothermal more broadly into energy systems.
Source :TH