geothermal power: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical/Academic
Quick answer
What does “geothermal power” mean?
Electrical energy generated by harnessing heat from the Earth's interior.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Electrical energy generated by harnessing heat from the Earth's interior.
A renewable energy source utilizing naturally occurring underground heat, typically through steam or hot water reservoirs, to drive turbines for electricity production or provide direct heating.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling conventions follow national norms (e.g., 'centre' vs. 'center' in related texts).
Connotations
Equally associated with renewable energy and sustainability in both varieties.
Frequency
Similar frequency in technical and environmental discourse. Slightly more common in American media due to geothermal resources in western states like California and Nevada.
Grammar
How to Use “geothermal power” in a Sentence
[Country/Region] + generates/uses + geothermal powerGeothermal power + is + generated/harnessed/used + for + [purpose]The development/expansion of + geothermal powerVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “geothermal power” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The region aims to geothermalise its energy grid.
- They are planning to geothermal power the entire district.
American English
- The company is looking to geothermalize its operations.
- The state legislation promotes geothermal powering new developments.
adverb
British English
- The town is heated geothermally-powered.
- The energy is sourced geothermally-powerfully.
American English
- The data center runs geothermally-powered.
- They generate electricity geothermally-powerfully.
adjective
British English
- The geothermal-powered facility is highly efficient.
- They discussed geothermal-power potential in Cornwall.
American English
- Geothermal-power generation is expanding in the West.
- A new geothermal-power initiative was launched.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Investment in geothermal power is seen as a strategic move for energy security.
Academic
The paper analyses the thermodynamic efficiency of binary cycle geothermal power plants.
Everyday
Iceland gets most of its electricity from geothermal power.
Technical
Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) aim to exploit geothermal power in regions without natural hydrothermal resources.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “geothermal power”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “geothermal power”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “geothermal power”
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'a geothermal power' – incorrect).
- Misspelling as 'geothermal' or 'geothermal'.
- Confusing it with 'geothermal heating', which is for direct heat, not necessarily electricity.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is considered a renewable energy source because the heat extracted is tiny compared to the Earth's vast internal heat content, which is continuously replenished by radioactive decay.
The three main types are dry steam, flash steam, and binary cycle plants, differing in how they extract and convert geothermal heat into electricity.
It is most prevalent in regions with high tectonic or volcanic activity, such as Iceland, New Zealand, the Philippines, Kenya, and the western United States (e.g., California, Nevada).
While much cleaner than fossil fuels, it can cause minor earthquakes (induced seismicity), release trace greenhouse gases from underground, and may lead to subsidence or affect local hydrology if not managed properly.
Electrical energy generated by harnessing heat from the Earth's interior.
Geothermal power is usually technical/academic in register.
Geothermal power: in British English it is pronounced /ˌdʒiːəʊˈθɜːməl ˈpaʊə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌdʒiːoʊˈθɜːrməl ˈpaʊɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Tapping the earth's boiler”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
GEO (earth) + THERMAL (heat) = POWER from the earth's heat. Think of a 'geo-thermal' power plant as a giant kettle sitting on the Earth's hot stove.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE EARTH IS A BATTERY/BOILER (a source of stored, usable energy).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary source for geothermal power?