Science
QUARTER 3_MODULE 3 & 4_WEEKS 3-4:
Energy from the Volcano
I. TITLE OF THE TOPIC : Energy from Volcano
After your encounter with this module, you are expected to:
• Content Standards: The learners demonstrate understanding of the different volcanoes found in
the Philippines.
• Performance Standards:
• Most Essential Learning Competency:
Illustrate how energy from volcanoes may be tapped for human use S9ES-IIIc-d-29
II. CONCEPT NOTES
Energy from the Volcano
Since our country is a home to more than a hundred volcanoes, energy has been tapped from them.
Actually, the Philippines ranks second in the world’s production of geothermal energy. According to the
Department of Energy, 14.4% of the country’s total power generation is produced from geothermal energy.
The production of electricity from geothermal energy is cheaper than the electricity production using natural
gas, coal, and hydropower.
What is geothermal energy?
The Earth is believed to be extremely hot from within. This heat from the Earth’s interior is a source of
energy called geothermal energy. The heat of the Earth warms up water which is trapped in rock formations
beneath its surface.
How is Geothermal Energy Generated?
Geothermal energy is generated in two ways: geothermal power plants and geothermal heat pumps. They
differ in the depth of heat source to produce energy.
In geothermal power plants, the heat from deep inside the Earth is used to produce steam to generate
electricity compared with geothermal heat pumps that use the heat coming from close to the Earth’s
surface to heat water or provide heat for buildings. In the Philippines, geothermal power plants are used to
generate electricity in Tiwi (Albay), Kidapawan (North Cotabato), Calaca (Laguna), Tongonan (Leyte), Bago
City (Negros Occidental), Valencia (Negros Oriental), and Bacon (Sorsogon).
Geothermal Power Plants
At a geothermal power plant, wells are drilled 1 or 2 miles deep into the Earth to pump steam or hot water
to the surface. You're most likely to find one of these power plants in an area that has a lot of hot springs,
geysers, or volcanic activity, because these are places where the Earth is particularly hot just below the
surface.
How It Works
https://archive.epa.gov/climatechange/kids/images/4-1-5-geopower.gif
Science 9_Q3 Page 1
1. Hot water is pumped from deep underground through a well under high pressure.
2. When the water reaches the surface, the pressure is dropped, which causes the water to turn into
steam.
3. The steam spins a turbine, which is connected to a generator that produces electricity.
4. The steam cools off in a cooling tower and condenses back to water.
5. The cooled water is pumped back into the Earth to begin the process again.
Geothermal Heat Pumps
Not all geothermal energy comes from power plants. Geothermal heat pumps can do all sorts of things—
from heating and cooling homes to warming swimming pools. These systems transfer heat by pumping
water or a refrigerant (a special type of fluid) through pipes just below the Earth's surface, where the
temperature is a constant 50 to 60°F.
During the winter, the water or refrigerant absorbs warmth from the Earth, and the pump brings this heat to
the building above. In the summer, some heat pumps can run in reverse and help cool buildings.
How It Works
https://archive.epa.gov/climatechange/kids/images/4-1-5-geoheat.gif
1. Water or refrigerant moves through a loop of pipes.
2. When the weather is cold, the water or refrigerant heats up as it travels through the part of the loop
that’s buried underground.
3. Once it gets back above ground, the warmed water or refrigerant transfers heat into the building.
4. The water or refrigerant cools down after its heat is transferred. It is pumped back underground
where it heats up once more, starting the process again.
5. On a hot day, the system can run in reverse. The water or refrigerant cools the building and then is
pumped underground where extra heat is transferred to the ground around the pipes.
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III. LEARNING TASKS
A. Learning Task 1
Instructions:
Complete the chart below to show how the heat from the Earth is tapped as source of electricity in a
power plant.
heat from
inside the
Earth
B. Learning Task 2
Instructions:
Label how geothermal energy works and fill in the missing terms to complete facts about geothermal
energy.
Geothermal means heat from the (1)____________. This source of heat comes from the decay of
radioactive elements in the (2)____________, plus heat from the earth’s core. High concentrations
of (3)_____________ sources occur where hot (4)________ rock has risen into the upper crust as
plutons, or breached the surface, such as (5) ____________.
C. Learning Task 3 - PERSUASIVE ESSAY – INVESTING IN GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
Instructions:
Suppose you are part of a committee that is planning to donate a large amount of money to
renewable-energy research and development in the Philippines. But first you have to decide
where this money should go. Should it be spent on geothermal energy? Why or why not? Write
a persuasive essay arguing for or against the development of more geothermal energy plants in
the country. The essay should include at least three reasons to support why you believe
geothermal energy is or is not a good resource to invest in.
Science 9_Q3 Page 3
IV. REFLECTION
Instruction: Complete the statement:
I have learned that ____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
V. REFERENCES
US EPA, OAR. 2017. “Geothermal Energy.” Archive.Epa.Gov. May 9, 2017.
https://archive.epa.gov/climatechange/kids/solutions/technologies/geothermal.html#:~:text=This%20heat%
20is%20called%20geothermal.
“Geothermal Energy Facts, Worksheets, Background & Information for Kids.” 2019. KidsKonnect. February
5, 2019. https://kidskonnect.com/science/geothermal-energy/.
Science 9 Learner’s Material
Science 9 Teacher’s Guide
VI. ANSWER KEY (Inverted)
Learning Task 1
heat from Heat causes Generator changes
inside the the water to the mechanical
Steam causes energy to
Earth turn into steam
the turbine to electrical energy
turn
Learning Task 2
1. earth
2. crust
3. geothermal
4. molten
5. volcanoes
Compiled by:
Rimbee F. Dagami
Estifane May R. Macoto
Babag National High School
Science 9_Q3 Page 4
