Fast Facts
Renewable: Geothermal power plants around the
world are still running after 50+ years. And geothermal
heat has been used throughout human history!
Reliable: Geothermal is always available, regardless of
weather conditions.
Clean: Geothermal emissions are as low as solar, wind,
and hydropower.
WHAT IS
Geothermal Energy?
Literally “heat from the earth,” geothermal
energy is a renewable energy heat source
found under the surface of the earth.
“Heat”“Earth”
Geothermal
energy is visible on
the surface as
volcanoes, geysers,
or hot springs.
A geothermal heat
pump circulates water
through pipes buried in
the ground, or
submerged in a water
body, to heat and cool a
building’s HVAC system.
Heat from the Earth
is brought up to the
surface in the form
of hot ground water
and steam.
Geothermal energy
from deep wells is
converted to clean
power. The cooled
water is reinjected into
the reservoir.
Reinjected water
can replenish the
geothermal
reservoir.
For more information, visit: energy.gov/eere/geothermal
DOE/EE-2680 • February 2023
