100 years of commercial geothermal power generation celebrated 2013

First commercial geothermal power plant, 250 kW, Larderello I, Italy, 1913 (source: Enel)

Alexander Richter 20 Mar 2013

This year the geothermal energy industry celebrates (or should celebrate) 100 years of commercial geothermal power generation. While there has been some inconsistency in historical dates mentioned as it relates to geothermal power generation, I just came across a wonderful historical overview created by John Lund.

The article, while from 2004, describes the great history of geothermal power generation that started in Italy with an experimental first prototype of a geothermal power plant that went into operation in 1905. The plant had an installed capacity of 2×20 kW and was built by Prince Ginori Conti.

This resulted then in the construction of the first commercial geothermal power plant, Lardarello I, with a 250 kW turbine, that was “drive with dry steam obtained from a heat exchanger supplied by geothermal fluids from two wells at 200-250 degrees Celsius.” The plant provided electricity to chemical production plants, the main buildings of the city of Lardarello and villages in the region.

I strongly suggest you check out the linked article below. It is a fantastic historical document highlighting the power of geothermal and its long history in providing clean and renewable energy.

Source: Lund, J.W., “100 years of Geothermal Power Production” (pdf)