The installed capacity of geothermal plants in the world is now close to 6,800MW, and in countries, such as Philippines and Indonesia, further large scale developments are being materialized on the BOT (Build, Operate and Transfer) basis. A recent technical trend is the increase in the extent of the factory assembly of steam turbines and generators, typically represented by the skid mount type, to shorten the site erection time. Other technical topics are the use of titanium last stage blades to improve steam turbine performance and the utilization of medium or low temperature geothermal resources for power generation.

Fuji Electric has achieved satisfactory results since it began marketing geothermal power plants. During the progress, Fuji Electric has not only supplied geothermal steam turbine and generator sets, but also participated in general plant constructions, including overall engineering, civil work, and erection work. As a result, Fuji Electric is now a leading company in the field of geothermal power generation. This paper introduces the geothermal power plants recently supplied as well as the status of current geothermal developments and technologies.

Fuji Electric has achieved satisfactory results since it began marketing geothermal power plants. The results include ten units with a total output of 194MW for the Palimpinon Plant, Philippines, which are now working. This paper introduces an outline of Palimpinon II geothermal generating units handed over to the customer in the 1995 spring, focusing on the site erection.

Fuji Electric supplied NPC, Philippines with the geothermal power equipment of 3 × 37,500kW and 4 × 20,000kW in 1983 and 1993 respectively. Following these, the company received a turnkey order for generating equipment of 3 × 77,500kW for Malitbog geothermal power plant, Leyte. The first unit already manufactured is under construction aiming at commercial operation from June 1996 as scheduled at the start. This paper introduces an outline of the generating units.

Since the 40 MW steam turbine for full-scale geothermal power generation was supplied to EI Salvador in 1980, Fuji Electric's geothermal turbines have continuously improved standing on the actual operation. The latest large capacity standard turbines and medium capacity skid type turbines can reduce erection and overhaul time. Concerning corrosion most serious to geothermal turbines, Fuji Electric's proven technologies for usual thermal plants, such as reaction blade rows, integral shroud blades, freestanding low-pressure blades, and drum type forged solid rotors, are extremely effective as well as measures against geothermal vapor.

Fuji Electric's geothermal turbine-generators aiming at high efficiency and high quality have been highly rated because of stable operation. On the basis of geothermal technologies obtained from the operating experiences of geothermal generation over 20 years, the company has recently developed a new line of high reliability turbine-generators incorporating more reinforced measures against geothermal conditions. This paper introduces the new line's features.

Geothermal power plants are generally situated in mountain areas far from consuming cities; therefore, long distance transmission is taken into account in the electrical specification. The monitoring and operating functions have been improved by introducing CRTs and their operation using a distributed control system. This paper describes an outline and features of the electrical system and the DCS.

Recently, in the field of hydraulic energy development in Japan and abroad, the advantage of a bulb turbine-generator applicable to a low head of less 25 m has been evaluated, resulting in development plans for such low head sites. This paper outlines the Minokawai power plant of the Kansai Electric Power Co. in commercial operation from May 1995 as well as introduces new technologies used in the design, manufacture, and installation of the bulb turbine-generator equipment delivered to this project.

The 26 MW, vertical shaft, 6-jet Pelton turbine which has been put into commercial operation on June 7, 1995, uses new technologies based on Fuji Electric's technical know-how and the result of joint research by Chubu Electric Power Co. and Fuji Electric. This paper introduces technology to eliminate a Pelton turbine spillway which contributed to the reduction of civil cost in the powerhouse construction, to achieve the high specific speed of a 6-jet Pelton turbine unique in the world, and to entirely electrify the deflector and needle operating mechanism which aims at labor reduction in maintenance and is the first case for a vertical shaft, 6-jet Pelton turbine in Japan.

From a viewpoint of overall rationalization, general hydroelectric plants in Japan are pushing simplification of equipment and use of maintenance-free technology. The innovation of existing deteriorated hydroelectric equipment is also planned utilizing these new technologies. Recently, the innovation of Shikaribetsu No.2 hydroelectric plant of the Hokkaido Electric Power Co. has been completed. This paper introduces the innovation technology for this plant its effectiveness.