Research on the availability and environmental aspects of geothermal electric power plants in Mexico

Although geothermal electric power plants will make only a modest contribution to annual power generation in Mexico until the year 2000 (at present there is a capacity of 205 MW(e) in operation and 440 MW(e) under construction), new areas are being developed and, in the plants that have been in operation for several years, criteria such as the capacity factor (>85%) and the cost per kW.h generated are favourable. The main problem lies in determining the generation capacity which should be installed at the end of the exploration period. There is an economic risk here since the generation capacity is extremely uncertain and in order to reduce this risk the well production record must be carefully studied. Considerable research is being carried out in this area to improve the physical and numerical techniques available. Research is also being conducted to improve the cementing quality of the well pipes and to try to prevent or eliminate corrosion of these pipes. Study of the problem of silica incrustation has led to the adoption of economic techniques for its prevention or removal. Possibilities for the commercial utilization of waste have been studied for brine and are about to be started for gases. Heat exchangers which could turn the heat at present being wasted to account for electricity generation are also being investigated. (author)