Geothermal Energy in Larderello: The Past meets the FutureIn 1905 construction began of the world's first geothermal power station in Larderello, Tuscany. In 1913 it started producing electrical energy, thus harnessing the abundant geothermal heat associated with the Tuscan volcanic fields. For years Italy remained the sole producer of geothermal electrical power and still is leading in this technology. In 2006 the power stations of Larderello, Travale and Monte Amiata producde 1,5% of the electricity generated within Italy.
When visiting the area one is confronted with contrasts between old and new: Well preserved, traditional Tuscan villages, perched on hilltops, contrast with the paraphernalia of high technology. Sheep and cattle graze peacefully amongst cooling towers and pipelines.
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![Geothermal Energy in Larderello: The Past meets the Future Geothermal Energy in Larderello: The Past meets the Future](icons/larderello-13.jpg) Larderello old and new | ![Geothermal Energy in Larderello: The Past meets the Future Geothermal Energy in Larderello: The Past meets the Future](icons/larderello-16.jpg) Larderello: Pipeline and cooling towers | ![Geothermal Energy in Larderello: The Past meets the Future Geothermal Energy in Larderello: The Past meets the Future](icons/larderello-17.jpg) The daily showtime for tourists... | ![Geothermal Energy in Larderello: The Past meets the Future Geothermal Energy in Larderello: The Past meets the Future](icons/larderello-20.jpg) ...is very, very noisy! |
![Geothermal Energy in Larderello: The Past meets the Future Geothermal Energy in Larderello: The Past meets the Future](icons/larderello-14.jpg) Castelnuovo and cooling tower | ![Geothermal Energy in Larderello: The Past meets the Future Geothermal Energy in Larderello: The Past meets the Future](icons/larderello-06.jpg) Castelnuovo from below | ![Geothermal Energy in Larderello: The Past meets the Future Geothermal Energy in Larderello: The Past meets the Future](icons/larderello-07.jpg) Unspoilt architecture | ![Geothermal Energy in Larderello: The Past meets the Future Geothermal Energy in Larderello: The Past meets the Future](icons/larderello-15.jpg) San Lorenzo a Montalbano |
![Geothermal Energy in Larderello: The Past meets the Future Geothermal Energy in Larderello: The Past meets the Future](icons/larderello-05.jpg) Steam from the ground | ![Geothermal Energy in Larderello: The Past meets the Future Geothermal Energy in Larderello: The Past meets the Future](icons/larderello-08.jpg) Twin towers at Castelnuovo | ![Geothermal Energy in Larderello: The Past meets the Future Geothermal Energy in Larderello: The Past meets the Future](icons/larderello-12.jpg) Spaghetti junction | ![Geothermal Energy in Larderello: The Past meets the Future Geothermal Energy in Larderello: The Past meets the Future](icons/larderello-01.jpg) From steam to electricity |
![Geothermal Energy in Larderello: The Past meets the Future Geothermal Energy in Larderello: The Past meets the Future](icons/larderello-02.jpg) "Pastorale" near Castelnuovo | ![Geothermal Energy in Larderello: The Past meets the Future Geothermal Energy in Larderello: The Past meets the Future](icons/larderello-03.jpg) Time standing still... | ![Geothermal Energy in Larderello: The Past meets the Future Geothermal Energy in Larderello: The Past meets the Future](icons/larderello-19.jpg) ...even for the herd animals... | ![Geothermal Energy in Larderello: The Past meets the Future Geothermal Energy in Larderello: The Past meets the Future](icons/larderello-18.jpg) ...as they are watched by the sheepdog |
![Geothermal Energy in Larderello: The Past meets the Future Geothermal Energy in Larderello: The Past meets the Future](icons/larderello-04.jpg) Power station and steam condensors of the modern type | ![Geothermal Energy in Larderello: The Past meets the Future Geothermal Energy in Larderello: The Past meets the Future](icons/larderello-09.jpg) Transforming the electrical power to high voltage | ![Geothermal Energy in Larderello: The Past meets the Future Geothermal Energy in Larderello: The Past meets the Future](icons/larderello-10.jpg) While industry uses geothermal power... | ![Geothermal Energy in Larderello: The Past meets the Future Geothermal Energy in Larderello: The Past meets the Future](icons/larderello-11.jpg) ...solar energy is also harnessed in traditional ways. |
Photos Jürg Alean, April 2005 |