Stepwise development strategy is considered a suitable method for securing a cost-effective way for the development of geothermal power plants. This strategy has been in use in Iceland for the last decade. Geothermal high-temperature fields are developed in steps of 20–30 MW. About 6 years are required for each step in the development. Parallel development of several fields in a country might…
In order to assess the current status of international geothermal power generation, the author has reviewed the Country Update (CU) papers submitted to the World Geothermal Conference 2000 in Japan from nations generating or planning to generate electricity. Salient facts in these papers have been synthesized and summary descriptions of geothermally-related activities written. Finally, followin…
At Mt. Amiata (Italy) geothermal energy is used, since 1969, to generate electricity in five plants with a nominal capacity of 88 MW. Anomalous levels of mercury characterise geothermal fluids of Mt. Amiata, an area renowned for its vast cinnabar deposits and for the mercury production carried out in the past. Mercury emission rates range from 300 to 400 g/h, or 3–4 g/h per MW electrical inst…
The article assesses the local environmental and socio-economic impact of geothermal power plant on poor rural community in Kenya. The country's geothermal resources are located in the Rift Valley region—an environmentally and culturally fragile part of the country. Kenya's main geothermal plants are located in the middle of one of Rift Valley's major wildlife parks—a major tourist attracti…