Inside a Geothermal Power Plant

The main components in a geothermal power plant at The Geysers are the steam turbine, generator, condenser, cooling tower, gas removal system and hydrogen sulfide abatement system. Thermal energy in the form of pressurized steam flows from wells, through pipelines and to the power plant. The steam enters the turbine at 40 - 100 pounds per square inch. As the steam expands through the turbine, thermal energy is converted into mechanical shaft energy. The steam turbine is directly coupled to the generator, which converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.