Geothermal Energy Museum

The generation of electricity from geothermal energy was invented at Larderello in Tuscany in 1904 by Prince Piero Ginori Conti. The location was known in Roman times for its thermal springs. In 1911 Conti opened the world’s first commercial geothermal power station. In 1956 a new well was drilled that produces steam equivalent to 10 tons an hour. Today, the plant at Larderello and others on Monte Amiata, 100km to the south-east, produce over a quarter of Tuscany’s electricity.

The museum in Palazzo de Larderel was created in the 1950s and is recently renewed. With the aid of scale models, graphics and artefacts it explains geothermal phenomena, drilling technology and electricity generation. Visitors also see a hot spring and a dome for the collection of steam. Guided tours can be organized to a geyser and a power station. In the landscape surrounding the town visitors can see active steam pipes, electricity transmission lines, generating stations and cooling towers.