Potential and benefits of geothermal energy

Geothermal energy represents a transformative renewable resource that harnesses the Earth's natural heat to provide sustainable electricity and heating solutions. Notable for its capacity factor, geothermal energy offers a stable output that is unaffected by weather conditions, making it an increasingly attractive alternative to conventional fossil fuels. Geothermal energy development has seen significant advancement, supported by federal incentives and research programs.

Experts suggest that even a small fraction of the Earth's heat could meet global energy needs, indicating its immense potential to contribute to future energy demands while promoting environmental sustainability. It is estimated that enhanced geothermal systems could provide up to 60 GW of clean electricity by 2050 in the United States alone.

Globally, geothermal energy currently represents approximately 1% of electricity generation; however, innovative advancements in extraction technologies, such as Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS), could significantly increase its contribution to the energy mix. A study indicates that geothermal power generation in the United States could see a potential 26-fold increase by 2050, highlighting its promise as a major player in the transition to low-emission energy systems.

Types of geothermal energy

Geothermal energy is categorized into several types based on the methods of extraction and specific applications of heat derived from the Earth's interior.

Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS)

Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) are designed to expand the potential of geothermal energy beyond naturally occurring reservoirs. These systems inject water into hot, dry rock formations deep underground, creating artificial reservoirs. The process involves fracturing the rock to enhance permeability, allowing water to flow and heat up before returning to the surface as hot water.

Geothermal power plants

Modern geothermal power plants typically fall into three main types:

• Dry Steam Power Plants: These facilities, like The Geysers in California, use steam directly from geothermal reservoirs to turn turbine generators.
• Flash Steam Power Plants: These plants take high-pressure hot water from the ground and convert it to steam as pressure reduces at the surface.
• Binary Cycle Power Plants: These plants transfer heat from geothermal hot water to a secondary liquid with a lower boiling point.

Turboden's ORC technology plays a crucial role in binary cycle power plants, offering high efficiency in converting geothermal heat to electricity. Their multi-stage axial turbines, developed in collaboration with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, achieve high performance across a broad range of geothermal conditions. The company has installed over 20 geothermal units worldwide, with projects like:

• Palayan, Philippines – 29 MWe ORC binary plant utilizing a two-pressure cycle for maximum efficiency.
• Animas, USA – 14 MWe plant operating since 2018.
• Velika Ciglena, Croatia – 17.5 MWe plant using both geothermal water and steam.
• Holzkirchen, Germany – 3.4 MWe + 10 MWth system integrated with a district heating network.
• Kirchstockach – 5.6 Mwe
• Duernhaar – 5.6 Mwe
• Sauerlach – 5.0 Mwe + 4 MWth

Thanks to its air-cooled condenser systems, the Organic Rankine Cyclealso ensures no water consumption for cooling.

Low-temperature and coproduced resources

Low-temperature geothermal energy is harnessed from geothermal fluids with temperatures below 150°C (300°F).

Turboden's ORC solutions specialize in low-temperature applications, allowing geothermal projects to operate efficiently in previously unfeasible areas. The ability to utilize resources between 100°C and above 200°C extends geothermal development to broader geographic regions.

Potential of geothermal energy

Geothermal energy holds immense promise as a renewable energy source, especially in the United States, with notable potential in Utah and Nevada where substantial untapped resources have been identified, but also in other countries such as Iceland, Indonesia and Kenya.
Unlike other renewables, geothermal energy provides consistent baseload power generation, making it a valuable component of a stable energy mix for the integration with other fluctuable renewable sources, such as wind and solar.

Efficiency and sustainability

Geothermal power plants demonstrate exceptional efficiency, typically operating at up to 99% capacity.

Diverse applications

The versatility of geothermal applications extends across multiple sectors, from powering industrial processes to providing district heating. Turboden's solutions offer hybrid configurations that allow geothermal plants to deliver both electricity and thermal energy for local heat networks, further enhancing their economic value.

Economic and environmental benefits

Investing in geothermal projects generates economic growth, including job creation and local development. Incentives improve project economics while supporting sustainability objectives.

Future prospects and industry expertise

The future of geothermal energy is promising, driven by technological innovations, government policies, and experienced industry leaders. Turboden, a global leader in ORC systems, plays a pivotal role in advancing geothermal technology by offering:

• High-efficiency binary cycle solutions
• Customizable power plants from 5 MWe to more than 120 MWe
• Remote operation and predictive maintenance for increased plant availability
• Flexibility in project design, including hybrid configurations with traditional steam plants

With over 40 years of experience, 450+ ORC plants in 50+ countries, and a total installed capacity exceeding 1,050 MWe, Turboden stands as a key technology partner in the geothermal energy transition. Its continuous innovation, backed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, ensures that geothermal power remains a cornerstone of the global clean energy landscape.