Development of Geothermal Equipment for and Construction of the Verkhne-Mutnovsk and Mutnovsk Geothermal Power Plants

Abstract

Modern geothermal power generation systems have reached considerable commercial maturity and are successfully competing with other energy generation methods. Geothermal energy has a number of advantages: low cost of electricity, independence from climatic conditions, and high environmental friendliness. The geothermal power plant (GeoPP) capacity factor is well above the levels of this indicator for energy technologies that use other renewable energy sources. In Russia, there are prerequisites for effective use of geothermal energy for supplying power to remote and isolated regions that have huge reserves of geothermal resources. The article summarizes and analyzes the experience gained from development of domestic geothermal equipment and construction of modern geothermal power plants: the Verkhne-Mutnovsk GeoPP and Mutnovsk GeoPP. The geothermal fluid features influencing the design and process solutions applied in developing a GeoPP are considered. The principles of designing the block-modular Verkhne-Mutnovsk GeoPP are described, and the advantages and high efficiency of the steam treatment plant for ensuring reliable operation of the Verkhne-Mutnovsk GeoPP and Mutnovsk GeoPP turbine units are noted. The design features of the turbine flow paths at the Mutnovsk GeoPP with a capacity of 25 MW and Verkhne-Mutnovsk GeoPP with a capacity of 4 MW are given. The characteristics of unique air-cooled condensers for the Verkhne-Mutnovsk GeoPP and direct-contact condensers for the Mutnovsk GeoPP are presented. The further development lines of the Verkhne-Mutnovsk and Mutnovsk GeoPPs have been determined.