Future Success Low Temperature Micro Geothermal Power Generation

Abstract

Low temperature, micro geothermal generation offers significant renewable energy opportunities worldwide. In the past low temperature geothermal and co-produced fluids were considered a nuisance and uneconomical for power generation. Today advances in technology are available to tap this prevalent resource to generate fuel-free, emission-free power, but unfortunately due to a lack of knowledge on technologies available for sustainability, the industries opportunity to utilize low temperature resources is often overlooked.
We are working diligently to overcome this knowledge gap, communicating with the Industry that a solution exists for the development of these resources and coupled with the growth in electricity usage and environmental concerns of the use of fossil fuels for power generation, they should no longer be overlooked.
Currently, the majority of geothermal power production that occurs is on the multi megawatt scale that require investment in resource development and infrastructure. There are however thousands of existing bore holes available from exploration for oil and gas, exhausted production wells, exploration for large geothermal resources and natural hot water springs that can be tapped for sub MW scale powerplants with minimal infrastructure and impact on local environments.
This presentation will discuss the advances in technology enabling the economic use of low temperature geothermal resources for power generation and application as bottoming plants to improve efficiency of existing geothermal infrastructure. It will cover the development and application of Organic Rankine Cycle technology incorporated in compact heat to power generation equipment, the lessons learnt, case studies of installed systems and future developments including the optimization of equipment for use of low global warming potential refrigerants.
This presentation will also include incorporation of power generation as part of direct use systems, containerized systems and potential for efficiency gains in existing high capacity geothermal plants.