Turboden tapped to supply ORC system for Geretsried geothermal project, Germany
3D rendering of planned set up and plant at Geretstried (source: Eavor)
Carlo Cariaga
5 Jul 2022
Turboden will be delivering the ORC unit for the Geretsried geothermal project in Germany which will be also be using the Eavor-Loop technology from Eavor.
Eavor has selected Turboden S.p.A. (Turboden) for the development of their geothermal power project in the South of Germany in Geretsried, Bavaria. This investment in Turboden’s Organic Rankine Cycle (“ORC”) system will be used in the first commercial Eavor-Loop project harnessing heat from the Earth to deliver electricity to the local market.
The project, will have a capacity of 8.2 MWe (4 loops and a single ORC generator) when it reaches its full capacity. The assumed date of initial power production is 2024 and will be ramped up into 2026 when the plant is operating at full capacity.
Eavor estimates 4,900 homes per Eavor-Loop will be powered with clean energy harnessed from the Earth. The full 8.2 MWe project will result in ~44,000 tCO2e GHG emissions avoided per year including anticipated heat offtake in addition to the power sales. Eavor further estimates 150 drilling services and powerplant/infrastructure jobs will be created during the construction phase of the project.
Eavor’s technology, known as Eavor-Loop, uses the natural heat of the earth like a giant rechargeable battery. Fluids are heated by the earth and circulated in a closed network of underground wellbores, unlocking a reliable and consistent energy source. Eavor’s technology differs from other forms of geothermal in that it is a scalable “go anywhere” solution, harvesting geothermal heat to generate dispatchable power and heat with zero emissions.
“Eavor is capable of designing and constructing this ORC power plant simultaneously with the drilling phase of the project due to our confidence in the thermal calculations and process engineering,” states Daniel Mölk, Eavor’s Germany Country Manager. “This demonstrates the specific nature and predictability of a closed-loop system and we are excited to have found a great partner in Turboden”.
“It is an extraordinary achievement to have an agreement like this in place prior to drilling and serves to maintain Turboden’s market leadership in Germany,” states Joseph Bonafin, Sales and Business Development Manager for Turboden, “This project aligns with Turboden’s mission to reduce global warming and the consumption of fossil fuels. Maintaining a process of continuous evolution is part of our DNA and Eavor is a perfect partner for us.”
Earlier this year, we reported on the approval of the planning permit for the geothermal power plant by the city of Geretsried. This is the third attempt for geothermal development in this site after two unsuccessful drilling campaigns. The decision to deploy the Eavor-Loop technology for this project was made about two years prior.
Turboden was also selected by German geothermal developer Deutsche Erdwarme to deliver ORC units for the Graben-Neudorf project. Another ORC unit by Turboden is being expected to start operations in the Palayan Bayan expansion project by Energy Development Corporation in the Philippines.
Source: Email correspondence
