Wellhead of deliberate geothermal venture, Slovenia (supply: DEM/ HSE)
The 50-kW geothermal pilot plant of DEM in Slovenia has produced its first kWh of electrical energy, however modifications are wanted to maintain fixed operations.
State-owned Dravske Elektrarne Maribor (DEM) has introduced that the geothermal pilot venture in Centiba within the Municipality of Lendava, Slovenia has produced its first kWh of electrical energy. Nonetheless, fixed operation will not be attainable but as elements of the system, significantly the turbine, must be modified.
The development of the 50-kW geothermal pilot plant began in early 2023. The plan was to make the most of an present non-productive fuel effectively, Pg-8, to supply geothermal energy. Rehabilitation of the effectively took longer than anticipated, thus including to the delays of the venture.
The pilot plant additionally served as take a look at floor for a patented know-how utilizing a geothermal gravity warmth pipe that produces enough warmth flux for electrical energy technology at depths higher than two kilometers. Ought to the pilot show profitable, the know-how can then be used for different deserted fuel wells in Slovenia and all over the world.
It turned out that the thermal capability of the effectively is not going to be enough to make sure the mandatory circulate of ammonia vapor to maintain the operation of the 50-kW pilot plant. The plan for the following steps will then be to seek out options that can allow extra fixed operation of the turbine below the given situations.
DEM emphasizes that that is nonetheless a pilot venture and no comparable initiatives have been tried earlier than in Slovenia. Because of this there are not any prior examples or fashions for addressing such challenges.
“Regardless of a few of the challenges we face within the geothermal energy plant pilot venture, I’m proud that Dravske elektrarne Maribor, along with our companions, are plowing the fallow land within the subject of utilizing deep geothermal power, and that we introduced the venture to the purpose the place the primary kilowatt hours of electrical energy have been produced,” remarked M.Sc. Damjan Seme, common supervisor of DEM.
“I consider that by modifying the turbine a part of the gear, we will set up a scenario that can allow fixed operation and manufacturing, and will probably be a superb information for the next initiatives of this kind.”
Supply: DEM
