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Geysers Unit 5-201,163 MW Geothermal

GeothermalRenewable

Geysers Unit 5-20 is a geothermal power plant located in the United States of America. It has an installed capacity of 1,163 MW generated from geothermal energy. The plant was commissioned in 1979. It is operated by Geysers Power Co LLC.

Capacity
1,163 MW

1.16 GW

Commissioning Year
1979

47 years old

Owner
Geysers Power Co LLC
Location
38.7770°, -122.7450°

United States of America, North America

Location

Coordinates:: 38.777000, -122.745000
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Carbon Footprint

Zero Direct Emissions

Geysers Unit 5-20 is a geothermal power plant producing approximately 8150 GWh of clean electricity per year with zero direct CO₂ emissions during operation.

Lifecycle emissions: ~38 g CO₂/kWh (manufacturing, transport, decommissioning)

Technical Details

Primary Fuel Type
Geothermal
Energy Source
Renewable
Country
United States of America
Continent
North America
Data Source
Global Power Station Database

United States of AmericaEnergy Profile

10,047
Total Stations
1386.4 GW
Total Capacity
GasCoalNuclearHydro
Top Fuels

Geothermal Power Generation: Harnessing the Earth's Heat

Geothermal power generation utilises the Earth's internal heat to produce electricity. This renewable energy source is derived from the natural heat stored beneath the Earth's crust, which can be accessed through various technologies. The process typically involves drilling wells into geothermal reservoirs, where steam or hot water is brought to the surface. This steam drives turbines connected to generators, converting thermal energy into electrical power. There are three primary types of geothermal power plants: dry steam, flash steam, and binary cycle plants. Dry steam plants directly use steam from geothermal reservoirs to turn turbines. Flash steam plants allow high-pressure hot water to 'flash' into steam when pressure is reduced, while binary cycle plants transfer heat from geothermal water to a secondary fluid with a lower boiling point, which then vaporises and drives the turbines.

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