A New Approach to Further Utilise Geothermal Energy Globally

Abstract

This project was established to deliver an economically viable solution for electrical power generation on a global scale, by maximizing energy conversion directly from downhole fluids produced in geothermal wells. Currently, geothermal power generation plants require a vast amount of sophisticated equipment to generate steam, and also need to treat the fluids with a cooling process after power generation. This approach requires a high volume of equipment and a large CAPEX which has, in fact, limited investments from the private sector. GA R&D Ltd has been working for the past 5 years developing a new technological approach, which has resulted in creating a highly novel steam turbine design, with the potential to convert a much higher percentage of thermal energy into electricity. Theoretical analysis of this new type of turbine has given us the confidence to believe it will be successful and has led us into committing to develop a small-scale prototype application. This will demonstrate the substantial benefits of the technology and enable viable investment to be made in geothermal energy power generation. This technology, with much lower CAPEX and OPEX costs, could become the backbone of power generation for many geographical regions where finance is limited, such as countries in Africa, or geographic regions which have low enthalpy characteristics, such as Scotland.