Geothermal Power Generation

Dr. Ron DiPippo is a world authority and consultant on Geothermal Power Plants. He is Chancellor Professor Emeritus of Mechanical Engineering, former Associate Dean of Engineering at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (UMD), a visiting Research Professor and Visiting Lecturer at Brown University in Providence, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), as well as a visiting lecturer at the School for Renewable Energy Science at the University of Akureyri, Iceland. Luis Carlos Gutiérrez-Negrín is the Executive Director of the consulting company Geocónsul, SA de CV, Secretary of the CeMIE-Geo, AC, and member of the BoD of the National Institute for Electricity and Clean Energies (INEEL). He has served on the BoDs of the former GRC (now Geothermal Rising), the International Geothermal Association (IGA), and as President of the Mexican Geothermal Association. He is an Editor-in-Chief of Springer’s open-journal Geothermal Energy Science – Society – Technology and has authored/co-authored 198 peer-reviewed papers and informal communications, as well as two book chapters. Andrew Chiasson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Dayton and is a licensed Professional Engineer in the US and Canada. He conducts research and teaches courses in the areas of Geothermal Energy, Solar Energy, Heat Transfer, Thermodynamics, and Energy Efficient Buildings. His research on geothermal energy and energy-efficient buildings has resulted in over 45 scientific publications, one book, and three book chapters.

1. Introduction to geothermal power generation

PART ONE: RESOURCE EXPLORATION, CHRACTERIZATION AND EVALUATION
2. Geology of geothermal resources
3. Geophysics and resource conceptual models in geothermal exploration and development
4. Application of geochemistry to resource assessment and geothermal development projects
5. Geothermal well drilling
6. Characterization, evaluation, and interpretation of well data
7. Reservoir modeling and simulation for geothermal resource characterization and evaluation

PART TWO: ENERGY CONVERSION SYSTEMS
8. Elements of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer applied to geothermal energy conversion systems
9. Elements of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer applied to geothermal energy conversion systems
10. Flash steam geothermal energy conversion systems: Single-, double-, and triple-flash and combined-cycle plants
11. Direct steam geothermal energy conversion systems: Dry steam and superheated steam plants
12. Total flow and other systems involving two-phase expansion – I.K. Smith, City University
13. Binary geothermal energy conversion systems: Basic Rankine, dual–pressure, dual–fluid cycles, and feed-heating cycles
14. Combined and hybrid geothermal power systems
15. Hot Dry Rock: Enhanced geothermal systems and advanced geothermal developments

PART THREE: DESIGN AND ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS
16. Waste heat rejection methods in geothermal power generation
17. Silica scale control in geothermal plants—historical perspective and current technology
18. Environmental benefits and challenges associated with geothermal power generation
19. Project permitting, finance, and economics for geothermal power generation
20. Mineral recovery from geothermal brines

PART FOUR: CASE STUDIES
21. Larderello: 100 years of geothermal power plant evolution in Italy
22. Fifty-five years of commercial power generation at The Geysers geothermal field, California: The lessons learned
23. Indonesia: Vast geothermal potential, modest but growing exploitation
24. Philippines: Antecedents and perspectives of the third largest geothermal power market
25. Geothermal power generation in Central America and the Caribbean
26. Geothermal power plants at high altitude: the Chilean experience
27. Cerro Prieto, Mexico: A large water-dominant field in operation since 1973
28. Kenya: The most successful geothermal development in Africa
29. Soultz-sous-Forêts, and Rittershofen, France: Two pioneer EGS developments

APPENDIX: Worldwide State of Geothermal Power Plant Development