An Integrated Approach to Realize Greater Value from High Temperature Geothermal Resources: A New Zealand Example

Abstract

A common interest of owners is to extract value from geothennal fluid. Investigations into of increasing the overall efficiency and environmental acceptance operations in Zealand have been conducted. Development for Wairakei and Kawerau Resources are discussed. More value can be from water dominated mal resources if silica is recovered a valuable form. The value of silica extraction lies in the sale of precipitated silica and the use of additional heat. A valuable geothermal silica has k e n produced at for industrial use newsprint. Additional heat recovery energy generation can be combined with silica extraction. At Wairakei, a combination of silica extraction, energy generation and direct will increase the thermal utilization efficiency from a current 9% to 21%.The development discussed are valid for most temperature water dominated geothermal resources.