The Nevada geothermal industry - 1996

Journal Article · Wed May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1996 · Geo-Heat Center Quarterly Bulletin

OSTI ID:440668

Flynn, T ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Nevada, Las Vegas, Reno, NV (United States)

Nevada ranks second in the United States for overall geothermal utilization and number one on a per capita basis. Nevada`s geothermal power plants generate approximately 210 megawatts (MWe) of electricity (gross), enough for about 200,000 households. Modern development began during the 1980s; but, geothermal utilization can be traced from prehistoric applications by indigenous Native Americans to modern uses. In July 1984, the first electricity generated from a Nevada geothermal resource occurred at Wabuska, in Lyon County. The binary electric power plant yielded an output of 600 kW, and the electricity was purchased by Sierra Pacific Power Company. Today, Nevada`s geothermal resources support twelve electric power plants at ten sites representing a total investment of approximately $450,000,000. Several large-scale direct-use projects have also provided significant economic and environmental benefits. Conservative estimates suggest that the 210 MWe presently produced in Nevada could easily be doubled or tripled, from identified existing geothermal resources if sufficient market demand exists.

• OSTI ID: 440668
• Journal Information: Geo-Heat Center Quarterly Bulletin, Journal Name: Geo-Heat Center Quarterly Bulletin Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 17; ISSN GCQBDW; ISSN 0276-1084
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
ECONOMICS
EVALUATION
GEOTHERMAL INDUSTRY
GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANTS
GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES
NEVADA
POWER GENERATION