GEOTEC-a promising energy alternative
Geothermal reconnaissance has shown a promising resource at the base of three clustered volcanoes on Adak Island, located along the Aleutian arc of Alaska. Geophysical surveys revealed areas of abrupt and steep gravitational gradients and high electrical conductivity over the volcanoes, indicating possible subsurface magma. Geochemical analyses indicated a potential reservoir temperature of 180/sup 0/C. The nearby Bering Sea has a surface temperature ranging between 3/sup 0/ and 8/sup 0/C year-round and would provide for high heat reinjection. The combination of geothermal and ocean sink resources could result in a GEOTEC plant having an overall thermal efficiency approaching one-third that of the present diesel-electric generating system at the Naval Air Station on Adak. The more than 5000 permanently stationed personnel at the station consume over 8 million gal of JP-5 fuel for space heating and electrical power. Presently, electric energy on Adak costs 250-350 mils/kilowatt-hour. Preliminary estimates of the cost of electric power from a GEOTEC plant are about 200 mils/kilowatt-hour. A GEOTEC plant would also be a secure alternative energy source for the US Navy.
- Research Organization:
- Navy, China Lake, CA
- OSTI ID:
- 7038511
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-8608105-
- Journal Information:
- Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States), Vol. 70:7; Conference: 4. circum-Pacific energy and mineral resource conference, Singapore, China, 17 Aug 1986
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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