Water supply dilemmas of geothermal development in the Imperial Valley of California

Journal Article · Wed Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1978 · Water Resour. Bull.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1752-1688.1978.tb02132.x· OSTI ID:6694094

Layton, D W

There are four known geothermal resource areas in the Imperial Valley that have a combined potential of over 4,000 megawatts of electrical energy for 25 years. Water resources available to support geothermal energy development are imported Colorado River water, agricultural waste waters, Salton Sea water, and groundwater. In addition, geothermal power plants can produce their own cooling water from steam condensate. Nevertheless, the relatively high water requirements of geothermal facilities along with a series of real and potential constraints may cause water supply dilemmas involving both the acquisition and use of cooling water. Important constraints are institutional policies, water supply costs, technical problems, and impacts upon the Salton Sea. These constraints and related dilemmas are examined in light of relevant information on the valley's water resources, geothermal resources and energy technologies, cooling water requirements, and water supply options.

• Research Organization: Univ. of California, Livermore
• OSTI ID: 6694094
• Journal Information: Water Resour. Bull.; (United States), Journal Name: Water Resour. Bull.; (United States) Vol. 14:1; ISSN WARBA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
150100 -- Geothermal Energy-- Resources & Availability
520500* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Site Resource & Use Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AGRICULTURAL WASTES
CALIFORNIA
COLORADO RIVER
COOLANTS
COOLING PONDS
COOLING SYSTEMS
COOLING TOWERS
DEMAND FACTORS
ELECTRIC POWER
EVALUATION
GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES
GROUND WATER
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
IMPERIAL VALLEY
NORTH AMERICA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PONDS
POWER
POWER GENERATION
RESOURCES
RIVERS
SALINITY
SALTON SEA
SOLID WASTES
STEAM
STREAMS
SURFACE WATERS
USA
WASTES
WATER
WATER RESERVOIRS
WESTERN REGION