Contribution of Physics in the Development of Geothermal Energy as a Renewable Energy
Alamta Singarimbun

Department of Physics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Ganesha 10, Bandung, 40132, Indonesia

Abstract

Indonesia is very fortunate because it has many volcanic areas. Volcanic areas have the potential to store geothermal energy. Geothermal reservoirs are a renewable energy source. Geothermal energy is extracted from the heat energy of magma beneath the earth^s surface through the water. Besides being renewable, geothermal energy is also environmentally friendly. Several countries have succeeded in using geothermal energy as an energy source, especially for electricity generation. Indonesia has also taken advantage of it, although still in a small order. In the future, geothermal energy needs serious attention to be developed as a response to the challenges of the world^s need for energy, especially in Indonesia. Various sciences (multidisciplinary), especially physics, are needed to utilise geothermal energy, starting from exploration, exploitation, and economic aspects. The initial problem that arises is the problem of exploration. Namely determining whether or not there is and where the geothermal reservoir is located. The search and estimation of geothermal reservoir reserves need to be known properly. Although it is not known for certain, according to allegations, Indonesia has the largest geothermal resources in the world. There are no quantitative numbers to express it because this depends on the type and quality of research conducted processes in geothermal are physical processes. Therefore, the role of physics is very important in geothermal studies, including Thermodynamics, Fluid Flow, and Pysical Properties of Earth Materials which can be searched for by exploration geophysics research such as the CSAMT method, the TDEM method, the Gravity method, the Magnetic method, Self Potential method, and others.

Keywords: geothermal, energy, reservoir, exploration, exploitation, thermodynamics, fluid flow, CSAMT method, Gravity method, Magnetic method, SP method

Topic: EARTH, ATMOSPHERIC, AND SPACE SCIENCE