Geothermal Energy — Prelims Strategy

Prelims Strategy

First identify whether the question concerns electricity, direct heat or a heat pump. A separate working fluid receiving geothermal heat for a power cycle points to a binary electricity-generation arrangement. Ground-source heating and cooling do not require a conventional high-temperature electricity project at the same location.

For arithmetic, label input, gross output, internal consumption and net output. In the 100–15–3 example, net electricity is twelve units. For a heat pump, divide useful heat delivered by electrical input to calculate heating COP. Four heat units delivered for one electrical unit leaves three units transferred from the source in the simplified balance.

Watch the evidence level in policy statements. A national policy, resource estimate, pilot approval and commissioned plant are not synonyms. The September 2025 notification establishes a policy framework, not a conversion of national thermal potential into equal electrical capacity. Finally, interpret renewable as a resource category requiring appropriate management, rather than proof that every local extraction rate or project design is sustainable.