Geothermal Resources Could Meet California's Power Needs

[jpak]

Geothermal Resources Could Meet California's Power Needs But New Approach Needed, Report Concludes

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=73870

WASHINGTON, Oct. 5 /U.S. Newswire/ -- A new report concludes that California's in-state "geothermal resource base could supply more power than is currently used by all of the state's investor- owned utilities combined." But the report warns that "a business as usual approach toward resource identification and development will not result in these resources being developed in a timely manner."

The report, "California's Geothermal Resource Base" by Karl Gawell, executive director of the US Geothermal Energy Association, examined resource data and studies by the US Geological Survey, US Department of Energy, US Energy Information Agency, Sandia National Laboratory, Western Governors' Association, and California Energy Commission, as well as scientific reports from the University of Utah's Energy and Geosciences Institute.

The resource studies examined indicate that "California's geothermal reserves could produce between 5,000 and 25,000 Megawatts (MW), depending upon different assumptions," according to Gawell. But, "the total potential of the resource base is likely to be significantly greater," the report concludes.

The report proposes a new approach to realize California's geothermal potential. "California needs to launch a collaborative government-industry effort that works towards the systematic identification and development of these resources," commented Gawell. The report calls for a "California Geothermal Development Plan."

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[Porcupine]

1. There are probably some severe problems with this.

Last time I checked most hot springs in California are on federal land, in the hills and miles and miles from population centers. Also many of them are on the east side of the Sierra Nevada mountains where there is a certain lack of water.

Somebody correct me if i'm wrong here.

[Throckmorton]

2. It is, however, not a sure bet by any means,

as the CCPA found out on the 1990's with their Cold Water Creek plant in Geysers Park.

http://powerplanting.homestead.com/files/CCPA.htm

I helped build this place, and aspects of Geothermal Power were a major learning experience for this I&C Engineer. One thing that I learned was that "Wet Rock" Geothermal technology needs an enormous pollution control infrastructure to meet EPA and California pollution abatement requirements.

This 130 MW/hr gross plant used almost 35 MW/hr to run its pollution control facility (The so called Stretford Building). This building was primarily concerned with Hydrogen Sulfide removal via the Stretford Process from non-condensible gases removed from the main condenser.

As far as being far away from population centers, the Geysers Park is just East of Cloverdale, or about 75 miles from the Bay Area and a similar distance from Sacramento.