Market Trends of Geothermal Energy Industry
The Binary Cycle Power Plants Segment is Expected to Witness Significant Growth
- The binary cycle geothermal power plants incorporate low-temperature fluids below 182 degrees Celsius (or 360 degrees Fahrenheit) that are made to pass through a heat exchanger consisting of a secondary fluid. This secondary or binary fluid vaporizes the geothermal liquid and propels the turbine to produce electricity.
- In a binary-cycle geothermal power plant, the geothermal fluid does not directly come into contact with turbines, which makes it function differently from the other two geothermal technologies.
- The advantage of binary cycle power plants is that as the geothermal fluid of moderate temperature has greater availability than high-temperature geothermal resources, binary cycle power plants might become more prevalent to take advantage of this attribute in electricity generation, as per the US Department of Energy.
- The components of a binary cycle power plant include a heat exchanger, expander, condenser, generator, production well, reinjection well, and turbine. The average rated capacity of these power plants is around 6 MW. Conversely, large rated capacities co-exist with binary design cycles such as dual pressure, dual-fluid, and Kalinabinary cycles.
- The advantage of binary cycle power plants is that as the geothermal fluid of moderate temperature has greater availability than high-temperature geothermal resources, binary cycle power plants might become more prevalent to take advantage of this attribute in electricity generation, as per the US Department of Energy.
- Many new installations have been announced in recent years, which may support the growth of the geothermal energy market during the forecast period. As of September 2023, MTN Energy in Turkey re-initiated the process to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) method for the 2nd unit of the Babadere geothermal power plant. The examination is done to expand 11.8 MW of binary cycle plant to fulfill the electricity requirement of the region.
- As of 2023, the government of Italy consented to develop the proposed 10 MW binary cycle geothermal plant in Tuscany. Italy’s first-ever binary cycle plant is expected to become active in 2027. It holds the potential to fulfill the power requirement of nearly 32,000 households and curtail carbon emissions of up to 40,000 tonnes. Hence, the onset of such projects could likely help in utilizing binary cycle plants in the forecast period
- Moreover, in 2023, the total geothermal energy installed capacity globally was around 14,846 MW, increasing from 14,653 MW in 2022. The capacity is increasing significantly across the world.
- Therefore, based on the abovementioned factors and recent developments, the binary cycle power plants segment is expected to grow significantly during the forecast period.
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North America is Expected to Dominate the Market
- North America is one of the leading markets for geothermal energy worldwide, with the United States leading the regional and global markets regarding installed capacity. In 2023, approximately 16.5 terawatt hours of geothermal electricity were generated in the United States. This was an increase of roughly 0.5 terawatt hours from the 2022.
- Most of the geothermal power plants in the country are in the western states and the island state of Hawaii, where geothermal energy resources are close to the Earth's surface. California generates the most of the electricity from geothermal energy, whereas Northern California's Geysers dry steam reservoir is the world's largest known dry steam field.
- Moreover, California is home to the greatest number of geothermal power plants in the country. As of 2023, there were 31 such plants operated by electric utilities in the state. Nevada followed, with 26 geothermal power plants. That year, geothermal electricity generation across the United States reached a peak of 16.46 billion kilowatt hours.
- According to the International Renewable Energy Agency 2024, the total geothermal installed capacity in United States was around 2,674 MW in 2023. Moreover, in May 2023, Contact Energy announced that the company had signed a 10-year Power Purchase Agreement with Microsoft. Under the contract, Contact Energy will supply all the renewable energy attributes generated by the company’s 51.4 MW Te Huka Unit 3 geothermal power station, New Zealand. Contact Energy announced the Te Huka Unit 3 geothermal power station in August 2022 and will be built at a cost of USD 189 million. The plant is expected to commence operations by the end of 2023.
- In February 2024, the United States Department of Energy’s Geothermal Technologies Office announced a funding opportunity of up to USD 31 million for projects that support geothermal systems wellbore tools as well as the use of low-temperature geothermal heat for industrial systems. Also, funding of up to USD 23.1 million will enhance projects to address downhole cement and casing evaluation tools.
- Furthermore, new projects are also planned in the region, which is expected to support the region's market growth. For example, in March 2023, Also, the government in Mexico announced a exploratory project under Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) through a tender called 'Acquisition of Geothermal Well Drilling Services.
- Therefore, based on the above factors, North America is expected to dominate the geothermal energy market during the forecast period.
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