Heber: key to moderate-temperature geothermal reserves

Journal Article · · EPRI J.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5802912

Lihach, N

Binary-cycle technology offers a way to unlock moderate-temperature geothermal brines and effectively double the geothermal resources available for development through the year 2000. The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) 45-MW Heber demonstration plant in California's Imperial Valley will prove the technology for large-scale power production. Because the binary-cycle system uses a hydrocarbon fluid that boils at a lower temperature than water, thus requiring less energy to produce electricity, it is possible to develop moderate-temperature sources that would otherwise be uneconomic. Corrosion control is another area of effort at the project. The demonstration phase will end in 1988 after identifying the performance characteristics of the plant and reservoir and the regulatory, legal, and institutional aspects of the process. 5 references, 2 figures, 1 table.

• OSTI ID: 5802912
• Journal Information: EPRI J.; (United States), Journal Name: EPRI J.; (United States) Vol. 10:1; ISSN EPRJD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
150802* -- Geothermal Power Plants-- Power Plant Systems & Components
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290500 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Research
Development
Demonstration
& Commercialization
299002 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Geothermal-- (-1989)
BINARY-FLUID SYSTEMS
BRINES
CORROSIVE EFFECTS
DEMONSTRATION PLANTS
ECONOMICS
ENERGY SYSTEMS
EPRI
GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANTS
POWER PLANTS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
TECHNOLOGY UTILIZATION
THERMAL POWER PLANTS