Heber: key to moderate-temperature geothermal reserves

Journal Article · Mon Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1985 · Geotherm. Energy Mag.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6281681

Binary-cycle technology offers a way to unlock moderate-temperature geothermal brines, effectively doubling the geothermal resources available for development through the year 2000. EPRI's 45-MW Heber demonstration plant in California's Imperial Valley is described in this paper and will prove the technology for large-scale power production. The binarycycle method uses a hydrocarbon fluid that boils at a lower temperature than water. This means that less energy is required to produce the vapor that spins the plant's turbines. Because the binary-cycle system yields the same amount of electricity as the direct-flash system with only two-thirds the amount of geothermal brine, fuel costs are lower, making it possible to develop moderate-temperature resources that would otherwise be uneconomical.

• OSTI ID: 6281681
• Journal Information: Geotherm. Energy Mag.; (United States), Journal Name: Geotherm. Energy Mag.; (United States) Vol. 13:3; ISSN GTEMA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
150100* -- Geothermal Energy-- Resources & Availability
150800 -- Geothermal Power Plants
BINARY-FLUID SYSTEMS
CALIFORNIA
DEMONSTRATION PLANTS
ENERGY SYSTEMS
FEDERAL REGION IX
GEOTHERMAL FIELDS
GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANTS
GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES
HEBER GEOTHERMAL FIELD
IMPERIAL VALLEY
NORTH AMERICA
PERFORMANCE
POWER PLANTS
RESOURCE ASSESSMENT
RESOURCES
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
USA