Recent geothermal developments in the Imperial Valley: Brawley, Salton Sea, Heber
Imperial Valley programs in geothermal energy are reviewed. The Brawley plant has had a relatively high availability on line since its startup in 1980. The startup at Salton Sea plant was surprisingly smooth. Using these research projects, all of the technical parameters for commercial development of geothermal energy will be known in a year or two. Native brine handling processes, casing materials and configurations, and turbine modifications are being studied. The PUC's decision on the Heber plant was a temporary setback. PUC ruled that projects will not be approved unless they yield competitive busbar costs. The Avoided Cost concept has become the benchmark at PUC. But Avoided Cost does not account for the higher initial design costs and unknown parameters of startup as opposed to mature plant costs. Avoided Cost is seen as the only obstacle to commercial developement in all areas.
- Research Organization:
- Southern California Edison Company, Rosemead, CA
- OSTI ID:
- 5328827
- Journal Information:
- Geotherm. Energy Mag.; (United States), Vol. 11:1
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Edison's Geothermal Program - 1980 Update
Seismic refraction investigation of the Salton Sea geothermal area, Imperial Valley, California
Related Subjects
GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANTS
COMMERCIALIZATION
OPERATING COST
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
IMPERIAL VALLEY
AVAILABILITY
BRAWLEY GEOTHERMAL FIELD
COMPETITION
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
HEBER GEOTHERMAL FIELD
PUBLIC UTILITIES
SALTON SEA GEOTHERMAL FIELD
START-UP
CALIFORNIA
COST
FEDERAL REGION IX
GEOTHERMAL FIELDS
NORTH AMERICA
POWER PLANTS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
USA
150800* - Geothermal Power Plants