Binary Cycle: Potential Exploitation of the Residual Brine at Cerro Prieto

Abstract

In this work a brief review of the state of the art on the generation of electricity utilizing binary cycle geothermal plants is carried out. A description is made of the most important characteristics of several binary plants located in the geothermal area of the State of California, U.S.A, neighboring the Mexicali Valley, rick in geothermal resources as well. Thus, the potential use of the geothermal reservoirs of Mexico, and in particular of Cerro Prieto can be considered with two perspectives in mind: a) The use of a formidable amount of residual brine actually being produced in the geothermal works, the biggest of Latin America, utilizing the binary cycle system, and b) The increase of the generation of electric power in the state of Baja California, Mexico.