Principles of Modularity and Redundancy Assessed in High Reliability Geothermal Generation

Abstract

This report describes an examination of a geothermal power plant system incorporating principles of redundancy and modularity to provide high reliability for a co-located electricity customer. Using Raptor™ reliability simulation analysis software, it is demonstrated that very high availabilities can be achieved, thus documenting that this type of application may power critical loads for co-located facilities. This work was performed under the New Mexico Small Business Assistance Program which provides New Mexico small businesses with assistance to help resolve specific technical and business problems. Sandia is a multiprogram laboratory operated by Sandia Corporation, a Lockheed Martin Company, for the United States Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-AC04-94AL85000.