Technology Type

Geothermal power plants harness Earth's internal heat through three main technologies, each suited to specific resource characteristics and temperature ranges, with distinct processes and equipment layouts for each of the three main types:

• Dry Steam Power Plants
• Flash Steam Power Plants
• Binary Cycle Power Plants

Flash steam plants are the most common type of geothermal power generation worldwide. They operate by extracting high-pressure hot water above 182°C from deep underground reservoirs. When this pressurized water reaches the surface, it "flashes" to steam in low-pressure tanks, with the resulting steam driving turbines to generate electricity. Some plants employ double-flash systems to extract additional energy from the remaining hot water, improving overall efficiency.

Flash Steam Geotherml Power Plant Diagram. Credit: University of Michigan

A flash steam geothermal power plant consists of several key components working together in a specific sequence:

• Production System
  • Production wells accessing the geothermal reservoir
  • High-pressure hot water pipelines
  • Flash tanks (separators) where pressure reduction causes water to flash into steam
  • Separator systems ensuring only clean, dry steam enters turbines
     
• Power Generation System
  • Steam turbines converting thermal energy to mechanical energy
  • Generators coupled to turbines converting mechanical to electrical energy
  • Electrical systems including transformers and controls
  • Cooling towers for heat rejection
     
• Condensate Management
  • Condensers to cool and convert used steam back to water
  • Condensate collection systems
  • Reinjection pumps
  • Injection wells returning cooled water to reservoir
     
• Control Systems
  • Pressure control valves
  • Steam quality monitoring equipment
  • Plant automation systems
  • Safety and emergency shutdown equipment