HD has now completed one of the largest and most complex maintenance projects ever undertaken on a geothermal power plant system in the country for Orku náttúrunnar (ON). The project significantly enhances the operational reliability and performance of the equipment and marks a milestone in the capability of the Icelandic industry to carry out maintenance on geothermal power plants.
To understand the scope of the project, it is useful to understand how a geothermal turbine system works. A turbine system consists of two main parts: a rotor and a generator. Hot steam from the geothermal field is directed into a turbine where it flows over a rotating shaft with specially designed blades. The steam hits the blades, which sets the turbine shaft in motion, thus converting thermal energy into kinetic energy. The kinetic energy from the rotation is transferred to a generator, which is connected to the same shaft, and is converted into electricity. This is the heart of the power generation process, and the reliability of the system depends on the precision and balance of these key components.
Technical work in simple terms
The maintenance project involved a complete overhaul of the rotor, which is the spinning shaft of the turbine, with extensive repairs. Two of the rotor's stages, which had sustained the most damage, were welded and rebuilt. New blades were manufactured and fitted with great precision where required.
The alternator's armature, which generates the electricity itself through its rotation within the alternator, was rewound. Significant repairs were then carried out on the rotor's support structure – the framework that keeps this heavy equipment stable and running safely. Finally, a complete overhaul of the entire engine assembly was carried out.
„We anticipate that these upgrades will significantly extend the equipment's lifespan, improve efficiency and enhance the security of energy production,“ says Lýður Skúlason, Managing Director of the Energy and Environment division at HD.
Modern management and groundbreaking action
Alongside the mechanical repairs, a complete upgrade was also carried out on the computer equipment and sensors that control all the main aspects of the turbine system, such as speed, pressure and temperature.
Finally, a precise balancing of all equipment was carried out under full load, i.e., the equipment was run at maximum capacity and fine-tuned to ensure that no imbalance causes vibration or wear. This is the first time such a comprehensive balancing has been carried out in the country by Icelandic operators, and therefore marks a milestone.
„The project confirms how far the Icelandic industry has already come in its knowledge and specialisation in the field of maintenance and service for geothermal power plants,“ says Birna Björnsdóttir, Director of Power Generation at Orka náttúrunnar. „It is important to build up domestic maintenance and response capabilities to ensure the operational security of energy infrastructure. Sustainable maintenance is not just an advantage, but a key part of reliable and secure operation.“
HD thanks Orku náttúrunnar for their trust and good collaboration on this challenging but important project, which strengthens both the country's sustainability and energy security with domestic expertise and solutions.
The project is one of the largest and most complex to have been undertaken in this country on the maintenance of a geothermal turbine system.
