Geothermal Energy
The global installed capacity for geothermal power generation was 9,732MW in 2007. Geothermal energy is one of the most productive renewable energy resources, as it remains constant throughout the seasons and is also immune to the effects of weather or climate. Geothermal energy is also available 24 hours a day, making it particularly attractive for electricity generation.
The generation process involves the pumping of hot water (at least 100°C) up from deep below the surface and using it to heat a cooling agent in a closed-loop system. The cooling agent evaporates and the resulting vapor drives turbines that generate the electricity. There are various methods of generating electricity from geothermal energy, including heat pumps, geothermal collectors and geothermal probes.
Infineon supplies semiconductors for the efficient conversion of the electricity generated in geothermal systems. These highly-efficient and reliable products deliver optimal performance.