TURBODEN ORC – LATEST TECHNOLOGY FOR LARGE-SCALE BINARY POWER PLANTS, WITH RELEVANCE TO NEW ZEALAND APPLICATIONS

Abstract

The document introduces Turboden’s recent experience with three state-of-the-art geothermal power plants in Germany (ca. 5 MWe in size each) and a 25 MWe power station under development in Turkey.
The paper describes some technological aspects of these binary plants, with a specific focus on type of thermodynamic cycle, configuration adopted and the optimisation drivers.
The influence of working fluid selection on the efficiency is explained, as well as the design criteria for key components like heat exchangers and air-cooled condensers, with the deriving economic benefits in terms of enhanced energy production.
In addition, economic aspects such as remuneration of the energy - so different between Germany and other countries like New Zealand and Turkey - and other surrounding conditions like grid requirements and island mode operation are discussed.
Lastly, the paper highlights the relevance to New Zealand of Turboden’s technological advancements and its experience with high temperature heat sources, heat decoupling (CHP) and hybrid plants.