| Abstract |
Ethiopia is well endowed with geothermal resources, and current exploration is believed to have studied only a fraction of the ultimate potential. The best prospective areas are distributed along the Ethiopian Rift valley system which runs in a northeast direction along the entire length of Ethiopia. To begin to realize this potential, in 1998, the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCO) constructed the Aluto Langano geothermal pilot power plant (8.5 MW gross) consisting of two Ormat generating units, one an OEC (Ormat Energy Converter) and the other a GCCU (Geothermal Combined Cycle Unit) consisting of a back pressure steam turbine exhausting to an OEC bottoming cycle unit) - each designed to have similar power outputs. The power plant operated satisfactorily for a short period of time right after erection before a number of problems arose that severely affected its availability and the power output level. Presently repair and rehabilitation of the GCCU unit is completed and the unit is back into operation since July 2007. During and after the rehabilitation period of the power plant, experience gained in operation and maintenance will ultimately be used to develop and harness the huge geothermal energy reserve exists in the rift valley region of the Country. |