Surface Systems for Geothermal Energy Plants

Klaus Brun, Karl Wygant, Lance Cook

• Publisher: Elsevier
• Year: 2026
• eBook ISBN:
  9780443405914
• Topic: Physical Sciences
• Subtopic: Energy

Surface Systems for Geothermal Energy Plants is a practical guide to designing and operating surface systems for modern geothermal power facilities. It details technical realities, offering whole-system design insights for engineers, operators, maintenance teams, and researchers involved in planning, operations and maintenance (O&M), and technology development. Key topics include power cycles, energy storage, plant machinery, heat exchangers, condensers, water treatment, reinjection, reliability, equipment selection, transient operation, and emerging technologies. Practical attention is given to commercial considerations and to integrating geothermal plants into the electric grid. This volume equips professionals with the knowledge to address real-world operational hurdles, unlocking geothermal energy's potential as a competitive, dispatchable option. It serves as an essential reference for advancing the next generation of geothermal technology. · Provides focused coverage of surface systems essential to modern geothermal plants · Offers practical guidance on equipment selection, design, and operation · Outlines system layout, specifications, and requirements for power, storage, and heat pump applications · Presents an overview of geothermal plant integration within electric grids · Delivers in-depth discussion of major mechanical and thermal systems, including technology limits, challenges, benefits, and selection criteria

Table of contents

• Title of Book
• Chapter 1 Introduction to geothermal energy fundamentals, classification and challenges
• Chapter 2 Power cycles for geothermal systems
• Chapter 3 High-temperature high-pressure geothermal systems
• Chapter 4 Application and optimization of surface systems
• Chapter 5 Integrating heat exchangers into geothermal cycles
• Chapter 6 Turbomachinery related to surface systems
• Chapter 7 Machinery design challenges
• Chapter 8 Geothermal power plant system considerations
• Chapter 9 Interaction of surface and subsurface systems
• Chapter 10 Commercial considerations
• Chapter 11 Technology development and demonstrations
• Index