Track: Energy

Abstract

A conventional geothermal power plant will take generally between 5 and 10 years with significant upfront costs and risks. On the other hand, a wellhead power plant will take between 3 and 6 months to install and commission upon successful well drilling and testing. The overall objective of this research is to determine the feasibility of geothermal wellhead power plants as substitutes of central power plants in permanent power plant development. Wellhead power plants can be used as temporary plants during geothermal project development or as permanent power plants for the entire production life of a geothermal well.  This study investigated the financial, technical and environmental sustainability of permanent wellheads in geothermal power project execution and power generation.  Examined was technical, economic and environmental feasibility of operating wellhead power plants in Kenya.  The study showed that the wellhead power plants have early and quicker return on  capital and are technically feasible in terms of operating load and capacity factors which is lower than the conventional plants but still competitive compared to wind and solar.  This implies that wellhead power plants are viable as temporary plants and permanent plants but remain inferior to central power plants while long term viability needs further investigation.