Boise, Idaho, February 2, 2012 — U.S. Geothermal Inc., a renewable energy company focused on the development, production and sale of electricity from geothermal energy, announced that power plant commissioning at the new 8.6 net MW San Emidio power plant, which follows the mechanical completion announced in December, is proceeding.
Charging of the R134a motive fluid into the power plant has been completed, and is undergoing integration testing. In preparation for starting the turbine, it was discovered that two large capacitors in the 2,500 horsepower variable frequency drive that controls the motive fluid pump were found to be defective, and must be replaced prior to plant startup. The motive fluid pump, which circulates the R134a through the vaporizers and condensers, is a primary component in the binary cycle system.
The company's EPC contractor has located replacement capacitors and expects to resume commissioning the turbine within the next 7 days. Once the turbine is commissioned, the plant will undergo performance and capacity testing prior to achieving commercial operation.
