As reported locally, Germany’s first Kalina-plant went online in full mode in Unterhaching/ Bavaria early May 2009. The geothermal plant already serves as a source for district heating since mid-2007, but now also provides power for the local grid.

After a long test and optimization phase last year, the plant has been finalized in February 2009 running with around 2 MW per hour. The full capacity of 3.36 MW is expected to be reached soon. A stronger pump is supposed to be installed in the summer and aims at increase the available water.

For the plant, district heating is the main element. The plant is configured to adapt the power generation to the demand for heating.

Further details on the plant can be found at: geothermie-unterhaching.de (website in German) or under geothermieprojekte.de (website of Rödl & Partner on the project in English)

The plant will see an official opening on June 2, 2009. (not as previously announced here on June 6)

Source: Tiefe Geothermie (in German)