Heber binary-cycle geothermal demonstration power plant: Startup and low-power testing: Special report

Technical Report · Thu Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987

OSTI ID:5837743

Berning, J.; Bigger, J. E.; Fishbaugher, J.

In 1974 the geothermal industry recognized the need for binary cycle technology in the development of moderate temperature geothermal resources. The electric utilities further expressed a need to demonstrate the technology on a scale representative of commercial operation in order to resolve issues of performance cost and environmental acceptability, and to confirm the maturity of the technology. In response to the needs, EPRI conducted feasibility studies and a series of field experiments intended to culminate with the construction and demonstration of a nominal 50 MWe binary cycle power plant in cooperation with other interested organizations. The early work by EPRI, the Department of Energy and the San Diego Gas and Electric Company led to the formation of the present multi-sponsored project in late 1980. Construction of the demonstration plant was completed in June 1985 at the Heber geothermal field in the Imperial Valley of Southern California. The plant is rated at 46 MWe and converts the thermal energy from 360 F (182 C) geothermal fluid to electricity. Start-up of the plant was completed in December 1985 and the first extended run at low power was completed in June 1986. The results from this run and other tests associated with the plant and the geothermal production facilities during this period are contained in this report. During this period, the brine supply was lower than expected and the reinjection pressure higher than expected. The power cycle performed essentially as projected for the load levels at which the plant was tested.

• Research Organization: Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5837743
• Report Number(s): EPRI-AP--5240-SR; ON: TI88920077
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
BINARY-FLUID SYSTEMS
COST
DEMONSTRATION PLANTS
ENERGY SYSTEMS
GEOTHERMAL FIELDS
GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANTS
Geothermal Legacy
HEBER GEOTHERMAL FIELD
OPERATION
PERFORMANCE TESTING
POWER PLANTS
TESTING
THERMAL POWER PLANTS