End User Interview
Vulcan Energy’ s geothermal power plant has been producing carbon neutral electricity for 6,500 households in the Southern Palatinate.
The use of geothermal energy is gaining traction as a green energy source. Can you discuss how this is developing and discuss some of the general opportunities for heat exchanger manufacturers in this sector?
Geothermal energy is rapidly gaining traction as a sustainable and reliable green energy source. The following could be some areas of key developments and opportunities for heat exchanger manufacturers in this sector:
• Technological knowhow and advancement: Innovations in drilling and hydraulic fracturing, originally developed for the oil and gas industry, can be brainstormed and adapted for use in geothermal energy.
• Global potential: Geothermal energy has the potential to significantly contribute to global electricity demand. Research and statistics indicate that with ongoing technological advancements and cost reductions, geothermal energy could account for up to 15 % of the growth in global electricity demand by 2050.
• Uninterrupted and reliable source: In contrast to solar and wind, geothermal energy offers continuous, 24 / 7 power, making it a stable and dependable energy source that can effectively complement other renewables.
Opportunities for Heat Exchanger Manufacturers
• Specialized coatings: A key challenge in geothermal energy is managing the corrosive and scaling properties of geothermal brines. Developing innovative solutions, such as specialized corrosion-resistant coatings for equipment handling these highly corrosive fluids, is crucial. These coatings must endure the entire design life of the plant, which typically ranges from 15 to 25 years of continuous operation.
• Material innovations: Capital cost is a critical factor in project investments, driving efforts to optimize expenditure. There is a continuous focus on developing heat exchangers using cost-effective materials without sacrificing performance. For instance, replacing stainless steel or duplex stainless steel with low-alloy steel can significantly reduce costs while maintaining corrosion resistance through the application of advanced coatings. Chromium based alloys are significantly expensive as compared to the low alloy steels.
• Collaborative approach: International collaborations, such as the GEOHEX project, unite expertise from multiple countries to develop and test innovative heat exchanger technologies. These initiatives offer manufacturers the chance to lead in innovation and secure a competitive advantage.
Mentoring younger engineers seems to be a key part of your job, what are some of the challenges involved in this. Do you have tips for others in your position?
Mentoring younger engineers is indeed a crucial part of my role, but it comes with its fair share of challenges.
A key difficulty lies in fostering a passion for core engineering disciplines, such as those in the process and manufacturing industries. Many young engineers also face a gap between academic knowledge and industry demands, which can be addressed through closer collaboration between universities and industry representatives, such as interactive sessions or internships.
Another challenge is introducing them to practical knowledge, industry standards, and adapting to professional practices. Mentors also need to help develop essential skills like logical reasoning, problem-solving, communication, and accountability, all of which are critical for their growth.
For others in similar roles, structured and comprehensive mentoring is essential. Start with a clear onboarding process, regular feedback sessions, and tools like a‘ buddy’ program. Focus on hands-on learning and delegate tasks to build trust and responsibility. Ensure mentees are exposed to project details, standard operating procedures, and necessary tools or software.
Encourage participation in external learning opportunities like workshops and seminars. Foster a culture of knowledge sharing and continuous learning. Finally, guide them in setting long-term goals with a clear development plan to keep them motivated. Mentoring requires effort, but the results are worth it— for both the mentee and the mentor.
What are some of the challenges in working with multiple disciplines across a project? Do you have a particular strategy for this?
Working with multiple disciplines on a project often presents several challenges. Communication barriers, both technical and interpersonal, are common, as are cultural differences that can influence work styles and expectations. Teams sometimes work in silos, which hinders collaboration and alignment on the project’ s common goals and value drivers.
A lack of clarity on the scope of work, roles, and responsibilities can lead to confusion or overlap. It’ s crucial to have well-defined responsibilities and maintain thorough documentation, such as change logs, to keep all disciplines informed about updates.
To address these challenges, I focus on fostering collaboration and alignment through structured strategies. Regular interdisciplinary workshops and interactive project management sessions are invaluable for building understanding and coordination between teams. Conducting design reviews at various stages ensures alignment and helps identify potential issues early.
Clear communication and a shared commitment to project goals are key to successful interdisciplinary work. By creating an open and collaborative environment, teams can overcome differences and work toward delivering high-quality results.
Can you outline the procedures for verifying items delivered for projects? What are some common challenges you encounter with this, e. g. material quality, grades, etc.
Ensuring the receipt of equipment at the site as per project requirements involves several critical steps. Maintaining constant collaboration and communication with the equipment fabricator or supplier is essential. For equipment falling under the Pressure Equipment Directive( PED), coordination with relevant bodies such as TUV is vital, along with ensuring the CE mark is present on the nameplate. Reviewing equipment drawings and calculations to confirm compliance with harmonized PED codes and technical requirements is equally important. Performing all necessary non-destructive tests( NDEs) on the equipment is paramount, and aligning on Inspection Test Plans( ITPs) is crucial. Lastly, reviewing the packing and shipping notes ensures the equipment meets the project’ s quality and requirements.
Sustainability is an important part of the Vulcan Energy philosophy; can you tell us something about how this is reflected in the materials / equipment / processes used?
Sustainability is the cornerstone upon which Vulcan was founded, and we are committed to being a leader in Environmental, Social and Governance( ESG) initiatives and reporting. We believe that our purpose, to empower a carbon neutral future, clearly and succinctly represents Vulcan’ s identity. It shows why we exist, what problems we are working to solve and what we aspire to do. Our mission is to become Europe’ s leading sustainable lithium business while also enabling energy security through geothermal energy and heat production.
LEOP is an operational training and product qualification testing facility designed to enable operational readiness for when the commercial facility is completed.
Stainless Steel World Americas- April 2025 | www. ssw-americas. com 5
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