Hydroelectric
Combined cycle
Photovoltaic
Wind
Steam turbine
Alternator
Transformer
Pump
Capacitor
Cooling tower
Extraction wells
Re-injection well
Coal
It is of the same type of extraction wells. Inside it is covered with steel pipes until to a certain depth, leaving the hole open at the terminal or covered by steel pipes with several holes. The water recovered from the outlet of the plant or from the separators of the wells is convoyed to the injection wells through proper aqueducts to be pumped back into the geothermal reservoir of origin.
Italy was the first country in the World to deploy geothermal energy, with the first generation plant constructed 1913 in Larderello. Since then the history of geothermal power has been a source of pride for the Italian energy industry and a feather in Enel’s cap.
Currently the installed geothermal capacity worldwide is 10,000 MW, and it is expected to double by 2016.
Italy, with about 700 MW, is one of the World's leading producers and by far the largest in Europe. Its geothermal generation is focused in Tuscany, which is therefore the Italian Region with the highest renewable production. Indeed, geothermal power covers one fourth of the Region’s energy needs and meets the electricity needs of approximately 2 million homes.
In the next few years this source is expected to undergo further development, also due to Enel’s increasing commitment towards developing and deploying innovative technologies and improving the integration of geothermal plants in their environment, landscape and social structure.
Concerning innovation, a significant development will come, at an international level, from the expanded construction of advanced binary cycle plants, allowing electricity to be generated also from geothermal power at medium temperature (80-180 °C), which up to now was used only for heating or hydrothermal purposes.