Pico Vermelho is a 13 MW geothermal power plant in Portugal, commissioned in 2006. Ranked #2 of 2 geothermal plants in Portugal, Pico Vermelho's 13 MW represents 45.14% of Portugal's total geothermal capacity of 29 MW. The largest geothermal plant in Portugal is Ribeira Grande at 16 MW, making Pico Vermelho 1.2 times smaller. Nearby plants within 50 km include Ribeira Grande (15.8 MW, Geothermal), Graminhais (9 MW, Wind), and Túneis (1.7 MW, Hydro). The facility is located in the Azores, approximately 25 km from Ponta Delgada.
20 years old
Portugal, Europe
Location
Zero Direct Emissions
Pico Vermelho is a geothermal power plant producing approximately 91 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
Portugal- Continent
- Europe
- Data Source
- Global Power Plant Database
Nearby Power Plants
Understanding Geothermal Power Generation: An Overview
Geothermal power generation harnesses the Earth's internal heat to produce electricity. This renewable energy source exploits the thermal energy stored beneath the Earth's crust, which can be accessed through geothermal power plants. These plants typically utilize steam or hot water from geothermal reservoirs to drive turbines that generate electricity. The process begins by drilling wells into geothermal reservoirs, often located in tectonically active regions, where the temperature gradient is favorable for energy extraction. The steam or hot water extracted is then channeled to turbines, converting thermal energy into mechanical energy, which is subsequently transformed into electrical energy by generators.
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