Preliminary Assessment of a Geothermal Power Plant
Published on:12/26/2022
Geothermal energy is a renewable source of heat that can be used for a variety of applications. Swimming pools, aquaculture ponds, and greenhouses are some examples. It can also be used to dehydrate fish, process food, and cool industrial spaces.
A geothermal power plant extracts steam and hot water from the ground. The heat is then converted into electricity by the power plant. Geothermal power plants are classified into two types: binary cycle and flash steam.
To generate electricity, binary-cycle geothermal plants use a mixture of steam and heated water. They can range in size from one megawatt to several hundred megawatts. These plants require the highest temperatures and the least amount of fluid flow. In contrast, flash steam plants use a reservoir of hot water to power a turbine and generate electricity.
Deep geothermal systems are also available. These systems are located in Alberta, Canada, and are being investigated for their ability to generate electricity. Deep closed-loop geothermal systems tap into hot geological formations using a non-contact drilling method.
Geothermal energy is a limitless renewable resource. It is used to generate electricity in many countries. Approximately 100,000 people are currently employed in the geothermal industry. Despite this, geothermal energy is still largely untapped.
The first commercial geothermal power plant in the United States opened in Geysers, California, in 1960. More than 60 plants have been built since then.
The United States has an electric power generation capacity of over 500,000 megawatts. However, the total geothermal resource in the United States is estimated to be five times that amount. Using these resources would help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while also potentially extending the life of oil fields.
Several countries are pioneering the development of geothermal energy. It is used to power the grid in Iceland, for example. Other leading countries include Hungary, the Netherlands, and Turkey.
Geothermal energy is also used to heat homes, cook food, dry fruits and vegetables, and manufacture chemicals. It is also used in a variety of other industries.
The pre-feasibility stage of the geothermal power plant is critical for determining the project's feasibility. At this stage, the developer must collect all of the necessary information to assess the project's technical, social, and financial viability.
The results of the pre-feasibility stage can be used to gauge energy customer interest and secure financing. A report can be created to provide developers with a concise description of the project, including key objectives and next steps.
To evaluate several working fluids and their performance in a binary geothermal power plant, an ORC thermodynamic analysis was performed. The analysis sought to optimize the system's cost and energy performance.
A variety of factors were investigated to determine the feasibility of a binary power plant, including the maximum net electrical power output, the most efficient heat input, and the most cost-effective working fluid. In addition, an off-design analysis was performed to determine actual annual operating performance.
Three working fluids, namely n-pentane, R134a, and R245fa, were tested. The latter was selected because it is less expensive than n-pentane. Furthermore, its lower energy return on investment can aid in determining the feasibility of geothermal wells in the early stages.
In New Zealand, geothermal resources are still underutilized. However, the potential exists in geothermal reservoirs with low to medium temperatures. There are currently no mature commercial technology solutions for these reservoirs.
The first step in the development of this energy resource is to locate an underground reservoir. Deep exploratory wells are used to accomplish this. It is also necessary to consider the local geological setting as well as the existing heat consumers.
A geothermal power plant can be designed and operated if a reservoir is located in an appropriate location. However, the long-term operation of such a plant necessitates substantial capital investments. As a result, the economic return should be determined using modern economic criteria.
The findings of a pre-feasibility study can be useful in future engineering investigations. As such, the document serves as a framework for the development of such studies.