Virkjanir 

GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANTS

 

A geothermal power plant or a geothermal power station is a steam power plant that utilizes geothermal energy from high temperature areas to produce electricity and to heat drinking water. There are produced a total of 10.715 MW of electricity in 24 countries in the world with geothermal power plants. The most power is produced by the USA, Venezuela and the Philippines. Iceland generates 575 MW of electrical power in seven geothermal power plants that produce 30% of the country‘s electric power. The initial energy efficiency of most Icelandic geothermal power plants is between 10 – 15%. 

 

1. Steam is brought from the production well to a turbine inside the power station.

2. The difference in pressure and heat turns the turbine.

3. The turbine turns a magnetic wheel inside the generator. Around the wheel are copper coils and due to the movement of the magnet electrical current starts flowing through the coil.

4.Electricity is led by high voltage power lines.