Article on geothermal use in thermal power plants
Pennergy proposes the use of geothermal assisted power generation (GAPG) to increase the efficiency of traditional coal fired thermal plants.
PennEnergy has recently posted a very interesting article covering the use of geothermal assisted power generation (GAPG) to increase the efficiency of traditional thermal plants.
The article defines GAPG as the usage of “hot geothermal fluid to heat the boiler feedwater at a thermal power plant. The steam that would otherwise be taken from the turbines to heat the feedwater is allowed to run through the turbines, thereby generating extra power and increasing plant efficiency”
PennEnergy goes further stating “Not only would this technology increase the efficiency of existing thermal power plants, most of which are coal fired, it would also assist the development of the immature technology of utilizing unconventional geothermal resources. As coal-fired power plants rarely exist near conventional (hydrothermal, volcanogenic) geothermal resources, some have drawn the incorrect conclusion that GAPG is of little value or can only be applied in rare cases. However, the development of unconventional (nonhydrothermal, nonvolcanogenic) geothermal resources offers the potential for geothermal energy to be exploited over a much larger geographic range.”
The article is worth a read since it provides insight into a rather novel idea. To read the full article, please follow the link below.
Source: PennEnergy