Prospects for the commercial development of hot dry rock geothermal energy in New Mexico

Conference · Tue Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1992

OSTI ID:10170384

Duchane, D V; Goff, F

A vast store of energy is available to the world in the form of hot dry rock (HDR) which exists almost everywhere beneath the surface of the earth. The Los Alamos National Laboratory has developed technology to mine the heat from HDR by using techniques developed in the petroleum industry. In practice, an artificial reservoir is created in the hot rock and water is circulated through the reservoir to extract the thermal energy and bring it to the surface. There are virtually no adverse environmental effects from an HDR plant when the system is operated in a closed-loop mode with the process water continually recirculated. An experimental plant at Fenton Hill, NM is now undergoing long-term testing to demonstrate that energy can be obtained from HDR on a sustained basis with operational procedures which are readily adaptable to industry. Significant HDR resources exist in the state of New Mexico. Resources in the Valles Caldera, Zuni Uplift, and Rio Grande Rift have been evaluated in detail. Studies indicate that it should be possible to economically develop high grade HDR resources with technology available today. As advanced concepts for developing and operating HDR systems are investigated, even more widespread utilization of the technology will be commercially feasible.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 10170384
• Report Number(s): LA-UR--92-2489; CONF-9209164--3; ON: DE92018999
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
150100
150500
COST
ECONOMIC, INDUSTRIAL, AND BUSINESS ASPECTS
EXPLOITATION
GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANTS
GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
NEW MEXICO
RESOURCES AND AVAILABILITY
ROCKS