What temperatures are usually needed for geothermal electricity generation to be economical?

For geothermal electricity generation to be considered economical, water temperatures typically need to be above 175 °C (347 °F).1

However, advancements in technology have expanded the range of viable heat sources. In geothermal plants utilizing the organic Rankine cycle (ORC)—a specialized form of binary cycle technology—water temperatures as low as 85–90 °C (185–194 °F) can be used to generate electricity.1

These temperature requirements are central to the economic viability of geothermal power, as the efficiency of the turbine and the overall energy conversion process depend heavily on the thermal energy available from the underground reservoir.12