Carbon displacement outlook: The road to a Carbon-reduced economy through geothermal power development

• Main Authors: Ang, Shirlina L., Catahan, Rodolfo Roberto C., Chan, Sharmaine Lynn T., Yu, Desiree Joyce S.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2009
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/14748
• Institution: De La Salle University

The global warming phenomena caused by the greenhouse emissions, particularly from carbon dioxide emission have encouraged individuals from different fields to search for ways to reduce and control the levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. This paper focuses on carbon displacement of the geothermal energy, for the purpose of providing an alternative to the already existing greenhouse gas reduction methods. Since the Philippines has abundant geothermal resources that do not produce CO2 emissions when converted to electricity, the study’s aim is to examine viability of the utilization of these potential geothermal resources in substitute for the high usage of highly carbon-intensive power sources, particularly the petroleum. The study employs data obtained from government agencies, and scholarly journals to support the findings. Results from this study showed that geothermal power is indeed capable of displacing a huge amount of CO2 emissions in a cost-effective way compared to the other conventional sources of energy such as the coal-fired, natural gas, and oil-based power plants. The findings of the study also proves that a full utilization of the potential geothermal capacity of the Philippines, together with the existing installed capacity and independent in power development objective of becoming self-sufficient and independent in power supply. The results were further expressed in monetary terms in terms of Certified Emissions Reductions (CER) credits from CO2 emissions reduced or displaced, that can then be traded in the international carbon market, which can help the country generate more income and encourage power sector stakeholders to partake in this international greenhouse gas reduction scheme. Recommendations are also proposed in this study to aid and improve the development of geothermal energy in the country.