How does a flash steam geothermal power plant work?

A flash steam geothermal power plant generates electricity by utilizing high-temperature, high-pressure water extracted from deep underground reservoirs. The process works through the following steps:12

• Extraction: Pressurized hot water is drawn from beneath the Earth's surface into the power plant.12
• Flashing: The water is directed into containers known as flash tanks. These tanks are maintained at a significantly lower pressure than the underground environment. This sudden drop in pressure causes a portion of the liquid water to rapidly vaporize, or "flash," into steam.12
• Power Generation: The resulting steam is funneled into a turbine, which drives an electrical generator to produce electricity.12
• Recycling: Once the steam has passed through the turbine, it cools and condenses back into water. This water is then injected back into the ground to be reheated by the Earth, making the process a form of renewable energy.123

Flash steam plants are the most common type of geothermal power facility. While they are highly reliable, they may require energy inputs—often from fossil fuels—which can result in minor greenhouse gas emissions.214