Operation and Maintenance Strategies for Geothermal Power Plants

Geothermal power can provide reliable, low-emission electricity for decades, but realizing its full value depends on effective operation and maintenance (O&M). This ESMAP handbook provides practical guidance for designing and implementing site-specific O&M strategies that sustain plant performance, extend asset life, reduce unplanned outages, and protect long-term revenues. Drawing on industry research, practitioner interviews, and survey findings, it identifies key O&M challenges and presents an eight-step framework covering resource and plant assessment, performance monitoring, staffing, costs, financing, asset management, and continuous improvement.

Key Points

Integrate O&M from the start. Involve future O&M teams in plant design, equipment testing, and commissioning to build operational capacity and prevent costly problems.
Manage the resource and plant together. Proactive reservoir monitoring and plant performance management are essential to sustaining generation over the project life cycle.
Address site-specific risks. Scaling, corrosion, well decline, equipment degradation, gas emissions, and remote-site logistics require tailored maintenance and monitoring strategies.
Build skills and local capacity. Continuous training, knowledge transfer, and local or regional maintenance capabilities can reduce operational and supply-chain risks.
Plan and finance for the long term. Dedicated maintenance reserves and life-cycle cost planning help prevent deferred maintenance and protect asset value.
Use data and digital tools strategically. KPIs, SCADA, asset-management systems, and AI-enabled monitoring can improve maintenance decisions and identify problems earlier.
Apply structured asset management. ISO 55001 provides a risk-based framework for managing geothermal assets, costs, and performance throughout their life cycle.
Follow an eight-step O&M framework. The handbook guides stakeholders from assessing plant and resource conditions through implementation, monitoring, financing, and continuous improvement.