Materials Selection for Geothermal Developments: the Need for a Materials Standard

Abstract

Reliable materials performance in geothermal power stations is required in order to avoid the costs associated with unscheduled down time and premature plant replacement. In comparison with conventional power stations and also the oil and gas industry with which it has features in common, the geothermal materials technology base underpinning materials performance is not well developed. A substantial improvement would be gained by following the approach of the oil and gas industry and developing a standard defining acceptable materials for use in geothermal developments.