Russia's first "cold" geothermal power plant has been launched in the Tomsk region. It uses renewable energy and is environmentally friendly.

The new geothermal power plant can operate on the site of depleted deposits, uses a renewable resource - groundwater - and generates electricity using water with a record low temperature - just 60°CFor conventional energy purposes, such water is considered cold, but scientists TPU This turned out to be enough.

Traditional geothermal plants operate on dry steam from boiling water. The steam drives turbines, which generate electricity. However, dry steam previously required water at a higher temperature. 150°CTomsk residents use 60-degree water not to rotate turbines, but to heat freon, which requires enough heat to boil. 47°CWhen freon boils, it releases its vapor, which triggers a mechanism to generate electricity.

According to the governor Vladimir Mazura, the wells necessary for the operation of “cold” stations remain in the Tomsk region at the site of depleted oil and gas wells - there are about 16 thousandsThe official noted that thanks to the scientists' new development, clean, renewable energy is becoming possible for the Tomsk region as well.

While the "cold" station is being tested in the village White Yar. Over the course of six months, Tomsk residents will test the device's ability to operate efficiently and reliably in autonomous mode, provide stable and uninterrupted power, and withstand abnormally cold weather.