Geothermal Power Generation in Italy 2000-2004 Update Report

Abstract

The geothermal activities carried out in Italy for power production in the last five years (2000-2004) are outlined in this paper.
In Italy geothermal energy is mainly used to produce electricity, and in 2004 was celebrated the centenary of the first experiment carried out at Larderello in 1904. In the same area the first industrial power plant was put in operation in 1913, and since then geothermal power production has progressively increased reaching 790.5 MW installed capacity (699 MW operating capacity) as of December 2004. Electricity generation peaked to a maximum of 5.3 billion kWh in 2003. Ten new power plants, for 254.5 MW installed capacity, have been commissioned and started up in the last five years. Most of these units replaced old plants in operation from many years and considered obsolete.
A new extensive deep exploration program in the areas of Larderello-Radicondoli-Montieri has been launched in 2004 and include 3D seismic surveys and 11 exploratory wells 3000-4000m deep.
Serious acceptability problems from local communities have hindered further developments in the Mount Amiata area, and have forced to stop the operation of the Latera plant, located in Northern Latium.
An innovative plant for Hg and H2S abatement has been designed by Enel and it is now in operation in some units.
An extensive program for the installation of such plants in the other sites is in progress. Over the last five years, 21 wells have been drilled, totaling 63800 meters, and investment in geothermal research, development and utilization was about US$ 400 million.