New Mexican geothermal development

Journal Article · Mon Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987 · Geotherm. Hot Line; (United States)

OSTI ID:6951505

Gerard, V

New Mexico has more than 300 known thermal springs and wells, most located within the Rio Grande Rift, a north-south trending geological system that runs through the state. In the 1970's, state and federal governments took an active interest in geothermal energy in New Mexico. The studies identified 21 low-temperature sites in the state with the highest potential for commercial development. In 1980, the state initiated the Geothermal Commercialization Program. The program's goal is to promote the use of geothermal energy for economic development. The primary target is the sector of the commercial greenhouse industry growing high-value horticultural and floricultural crops. New Mexico State University (NMSU) has become the center of the state's geothermal research program. The NMSU Geothermal Greenhouse Facility, constructed and operated by the New Mexico Solar Energy Institute, is a 12,000-square-foot, geothermally-heated greenhouse that provides a testing facility for commercial growers considering southern New Mexico for their operations. By 1985, the state's geothermal greenhouse industry covered 13 acres. Since the NMSU greenhouses were constructed in 1986, two large greenhouse companies have taken advantage of the facilities. Flores de New Mexico, of Las Cruces, and Masson Southwest, Inc. of Linwood, Kansas, used the facilities for pilot studies of the area. Both have stayed in the area and have expanded. Flores de New Mexico built 10 acres of greenhouses on the NMSU campus and is planning a five-acre expansion, and Masson, Inc. is building a four-acre greenhouse in Radium Springs, NM. Geothermal technology is also being used by three greenhouse businesses in Hidalgo County's Animas Valley, south of Lordsburg. Beall Company of New Mexico, Inc., Burgett Floral, Inc., and McCant's Greenhouse are tapping into the large thermal reservoir in the southwestern corner of the state.

• OSTI ID: 6951505
• Journal Information: Geotherm. Hot Line; (United States), Journal Name: Geotherm. Hot Line; (United States) Vol. 18:1; ISSN GHLID
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
151000* -- Geothermal Energy-- Direct Energy Utilization
AGRICULTURE
BUILDINGS
COMMERCIALIZATION
EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES
ENERGY POLICY
FEDERAL REGION IX
GEOTHERMAL HEATING
GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES
GEOTHERMAL SPACE HEATING
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
GREENHOUSES
HEATING
HORTICULTURE
INDUSTRY
NEVADA
NORTH AMERICA
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
RESOURCES
SPACE HEATING
TEST FACILITIES
USA