TIG 6 - Power Plants

Co-Leaders Hal Gurgenci, University of Queensland and Behdad Moghtaderi, University of Newcastle

Hal Gurgenci's TIG 6 website (external)

Scope
Objective: Mirrors IEA Geothermal Research Annex VI (Ormat, Italy, Australia). Develop scenarios as a basis for comparison of cycles, plant performance and availability, economics and environmental impact and mitigation. The output would be a database and guidelines of best practice.

Initiatives

Complete:
•    Development of sub-TIG topics
•    Development of a set of proposed sub-TIG topics for discussion
•    Assessment of several research projects relevant to sub-TIG topics

In Progress
Research projects funded through AGEG (see the attached table as well as individual progress reports)

Planned
•    Improve exchange of information and communication among TIG members
•    Closer collaboration with other TIGs particularly TIG-7
List of sub-TIG Topics

Key issues to be addressed by TIG -6 include but are not limited to:

Original sub-TIG Topics
 Proposed sub-TIG Topics
Thermodynamic Power Cycles
 Thermodynamic Power Cycles (for both water based & CO2 based EGS)

Working Fluids (Power Cycles)
Plant Performance and Availability
 Plant Performance and Availability

Hybrid Systems & Cascade End Use

Expander / Turbines

Heat Exchanger
Economics
 Economics
Environmental Impact & Mitigation
 Environmental Impact & Mitigation
Theme
 Project Name
 Summary of key project objectivesand links to details
 Research Partners
AGEG TIG 6 Engineering Power Generation
 Preliminary assessment of the impact of geo-fluid properties on power cycle design Study the relationship between the effect of non-condensable gas, fouling and corrosion caused by geofluid properties on surface heat exchangers and the heat transfer efficiency of the exchangers. Final report (pdf)
  • U Adel (Ashman, Gamboa & Nathan)
  • Petratherm (Reid)
  • Pac Hydro (Teoh)
  • Eden Energy (Jefress)
  • Greenrock (Larking)
  • PIRSA (Malavazos)
AGEG TIG 6 Engineering Power Generation Preliminary assessment of the potential for underground cooling on power cycle design
 Test the cost-saving potential of using the thermally cool and stable soil layer to cool surface geothermal exchangers, pipework and plant. Compare different underground cooling systems with air cooling systems in Australian conditions. Final report (pdf)
  • U Adel. (Ashman, Gamboa & Nathan)
  • Petratherm (Reid)
  • Pac Hydro (Teoh)
  • Eden Energy (Jefress)
  • Geothermal Resources (Johnson)
  • KUTh (Ward)
  • PIRSA (Malavazos)
AGEG TIG 6 Engineering Power Generation
 State of the Art in Power Cycles for geothermal applications and bottoming cycles
 Make a detailed comparison of the performance and operating conditions of selected existing geothermal power plants with the range of conditions expected to apply in South Australia. Develop a detailed model of the Kalina cycle using HYSYS and compare with existing models - ORC and SC.  Final Report (pdf)
  • U Adel. (Ashman, Gamboa & Nathan)
  • U of Newcastle (Doroodchi)
  • Petratherm (Reid)
  • Pac Hydro (Teoh)
  • Eden Energy (Jefress)
  • Greenrock (Larking)
  • PIRSA (Malavazos)
AGEG TIG 6 Engineering Power Generation
 Development of a geothermal power plant cost estimator - Stage 1: basic estimates
 Develop a model to estimate costs of geothermal power generation (South Australian conditions).  The model will provide input options for key variables such as well depth, ambient conditions, geofluid temperature etc. Progress Report October 2008 (pdf) Final Report 2009 (pdf)
  • U Adel. (Nathan)
  • Petratherm (Reid)
  • Pac Hydro (Teoh)
  • Greenrock (Larking)
  • PIRSA (Malavazos)

AGEG TIG Report Meeting #5, 20 - 21 November 2008

Progress reports presented at the meeting.