Larderello

Cavaretta, G., Gianelli, G. and Puxeddu, M. (1980) Hydrothermal metamorphism in the Larderello geothermal field. Geothermics, 9, 297-314. 

Wairakei, New Zealand (2) Tauhara, New Zealand (3) Broadlands, New Zealand (4) Ngawha, New Zealand (5) Cerro Prieto, Mexico (6) Mahio-Tongonan, Philippines (7) Reykjanes, Iceland (8) Salton Sea, California (9) Geysers, Wyoming (10) Larderello, Italy. 

The Larderello vapour-dominated field was the first geothermal field to be exploited for electric power generation. Production started in 1904 (Zancani 1975). Initially, extraction of B from the steam was coupled with the power production. Development of the field was initially slow but many new turbines were installed in 1939-1940, at which time the installed capacity was 250 MW. By 1964 it had increased 490 MW (Villa 1975). In 1995, the installed capacity had decreased to 460 MW (Allegrini et al. 1995),... 

Barrell, A., Cappetti, G. Stefani, G. 1995. Results of deep drilling in the Larderello-Travale/Radicondoli geothermal area. In Proceedings World Geothermal Congress, Florence, 18-31 May, 1275-1278. 

Bettagli, N. Bidini, G. 1996. Larderello-Farinello-Valle Secolo geothermal area Energy analysis of the transportation network and of the electric power plants. Geothermics, 25, 3-16. 

D Amore, F. Truesdell, A. H. 1979. Models for steam chemistry at Larderello and the Geysers. In Proceedings 5th Stanford Geothermal Engineering Workshop, Stanford, 283-297. 

D Amore, F., Fancelli, R. Panichi, C. 1987. Stable isotope study of reinjection processes in the Larderello geothermal field. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 51, 857—867. 

Gianelli, G. Puxeddu, M. 1992. Geologic comparison between Larderello and The Geysers geothermal fields. Abstracts of the 29th IGC, Kyoto, 3/3, 853. 

Minissale, A. 1991. The Larderello geothermal field - A review. Earth Science Reviews, 31, 133-151. 

Panichi, C. 2004. Geochemical impact of re-injecting geothermal waste waters Example Larderello, Italy. In Giere, R. Stille, P. (eds) Energy, Waste and the Environment a Geochemical Perspective. Geological Society, London. Special Publication 236, 337-354. 

PetRACCO. C. Squarci, P. 1975. Hydrological balance of Larderello geothermal region. In Proceedings Second United Nations Symposium on the Development and Use of Geothermal... 

Geochemical impact of re-injecting geothermal waste waters example, Larderello, Italy... 

Temporal variations in gas compositions, mainly due to depressurization of the field caused by extensive exploitation of the reservoir, have been observed in each of the subunits. These variations have been described for the entire exploitation history of the Larderello field before initiation of the re-injections, that is, from 1926 to 1979 (Scandiffio et al. 1995). 

Fig. 2. Triangular diagrams describing the relative concentration of H20 C02-H2 in the steam produced before re-injection in the four main subunits of the Larderello field. Different symbols represent different locations of producing wells in the same subunit. Largest symbols in each diagrams represent the chemical composition of the reference core within a single area (see text for discussion). Data for Castelnuovo result from the largest amount of meteoric water inflow observed in the entire basin.

Fig. 4. Temporal variations in isotopic composition and gas/steam ratio (G/S) monitored in two wells (Wl, W2) of the central area in the Larderello geothermal field, located near the re-injection welt. Undisturbed pre-injection values (first point of each series, shown as large open circle) and flow rale of injected water (0 are also shown. I, II and III refer to the three re-injection periods considered.

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