The Use of Geothermal Portable Wellhead Turbine Power Generators to Accelerate Geothermal Development in Kenya

Abstract

Geothermal electricity is electricity generated from geothermal energy. Technologies in use include dry steam power plants, flash steam power plants, binary cycle power plants and lately well head generators units. Flash steam power plants and binary cycle power plants are applicable in Kenya. In recent years, wellhead generating units have become of major interest to the geothermal power industry. As their name suggests, wellhead units a next to a production wellpad and are generally supplied with hot water or steam from one or several production wells.this is viable for:Gross output of wellhead units of < 10 Mw ,wells with Very short steam lines compared to central power plants characteristically have long and Modular construction, usually the turbo generator modules are completely assempled at the factory on a single slad.As matter of fact, a unit capacity of geothermal power plant has been increasing more and more because of economical reason. While demand for small size geothermal power plant has also expanded. Small size geothermal power plant is generally used for the following purposes: Satisfaction of electricity demand in limited area, Power source during construction, Auxiliary or emergency power source for main geothermal generating plant and Simplification steam transmission lines as a wellhead unit, because geothermal ,wells are scattered in geothermal field Well head power generators manufacturers, like Toshiba, have a standardized series of portable small size geothermal turbine and generator set, which satisfy various requirements of clients. This portable type turbine and generator set is supported by our extensive experience of geothermal units. Special consideration is given to easy transportation, easy operation including start and stop, maintainability, high efficiency and high reliability. Portable type turbine and generator set is completely assembled on a common base then shipped to the site. Therefore installation and adjustment work at site can be minimized. Manufacturers always try to meet any requirement of geothermal power generation from the clients based on our high engineering capability and abundant experience. Geothermal portable turbine generator unit have the following special features. (1) High efficiency and high reliability (2) Extensive experience in the geothermal power plant field (3) Easy transportation and easy erection (4) No power source for start (5) Option for the various site conditions. Pursuant to immense benefits related to their lower cost of installation,this would provide an economical alternative to the rather expensive conventional power plants. 1. Joel Rutto Sutter 2. Dominic Mutai, Engineers Geothermal Development, Drilling Department