How tectonic heat is providing invisible fire for 24/7 electricity

The article highlights how Turkey leverages its unique tectonic setting to harness geothermal energy, providing a reliable and renewable source of electricity. Situated at the intersection of three tectonic plates, Turkey benefits from geological activity that brings Earth's internal heat close to the surface, particularly in volcanic regions like the Alaşehir Valley. Here, superheated water exceeding 200°C rises through deep faults, enabling geothermal power plants to access this heat at relatively shallow depths (around 3,000 meters), unlike most global locations where drilling can exceed 10 kilometers. Turkey ranks fourth worldwide and first in Europe for installed geothermal capacity, with over 60 plants supplying about 3% of its national electricity. The geothermal power generation process involves drilling production wells to tap hot fluids heated by magma. These fluids transfer heat to a secondary motive fluid with a lower boiling point, which vaporizes and drives turbines connected to generators. The system operates as a closed loop, reinjecting cooled geothermal fluid back underground to minimize environmental impact. Modern plants