Applicability of ASME Performance Test Codes to Geothermal Plant Performance Testing

Abstract

As geothermal technologies continue to evolve to allow the power industry to have a dramatically expanded range and size of viable geothermal resources to use for power generation, there has been an equal growth in new energy projects. Within the United States alone in 2009, the Geothermal Energy Association reported a 26 percent growth in new projects of which 188 projects could produce as much as 7,875 MW of new electric power.1 For all of this growth and new technologies, it would be advantageous for geothermal energy project developers to have standardized testing techniques and codes to aid them in planning, executing, and demonstrating plant and component guarantees as well as warranty obligations associated with construction and power purchase contract agreements. This paper will present how it will benefit the Geothermal Industry to have an active interest in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Performance Test Codes (PTCs) and help the ASME develop standards and methods for testing that is specifically relevant and pertinent to the Geothermal Industry. At this time, there is not an ASME PTC that is specific to the Geothermal Industry. However, in the interim until the PTCs can be revised or developed to directly cover the nuances of testing Geothermal assets, this paper will present examples of how the current test codes rules and approaches can be successfully used for testing equipment and plants associated with the Geothermal Industry.