INDONESIA has the largest geothermal potential in the world, estimated at 24 gigawatts (GW). However, only about 10% of the capacity is currently utilized. To optimize this huge potential, the development of innovative technologies is needed to maximize the use of environmentally friendly geothermal energy. These technologies and processes include the latest water management and cooling systems designed to help reduce water consumption by up to 30%, reduce carbon emissions, and extend the operational life of geothermal equipment.
“Overcoming industry challenges from upstream risks during exploration to utilization phase is crucial. With a target of adding 3,000 MW by 2030, we need to add 500 MW every year. Despite the risks of aggressive development scale, developing low-medium enthalpy geothermal resources in Indonesia is a must. This effort requires support from technology companies such as Nalco Water, a company of Ecolab, in effective management,” said Riza Pasikki, General Secretary of the Indonesian Geothermal Association (API-INAGA).
VP & GM Heavy Industry Ecolab Southeast Asia, Chandra Marimuthu, emphasized the company’s commitment to supporting the growth of the geothermal industry in Southeast Asia. “Encouraging collaboration, innovation, and growth in the geothermal industry is critical to addressing climate change. Establishing a geothermal excellence center in Indonesia can serve as a hub for innovation, research, and collaboration in addressing industry challenges in Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, and the Philippines,” said Chandra.
On the other hand, Associate Professor and Co-Director of the Geothermal Institute at the University of Auckland, Prof. Sadiq J. Zarrouk, PhD., highlighted the increasing use of binary power plants for electricity production from low and high enthalpy geothermal reservoirs. “Binary power plants must be continuously optimized to extract as much energy as possible from the geothermal fluid for maximum power generation. Control and management of mineral scale accumulation is critical. While the industry has been using geothermal fluid pH modification technology for over 20 years to control mineral buildup, this has limited effectiveness and can lead to corrosion.”
According to him, on-site side stream testing with the right inhibitor is the best key to control scale accumulation, allowing the continuation of binary technology power plant operations with minimal disruption and without affecting the operational life of heat exchangers. (Z-2)
#Technologies #Sustainable #Geothermal #Industry
