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

Conference · Wed Sep 15 04:00:00 EDT 1976

OSTI ID:7125615

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. The water resources available to support geothermal energy development are imported Colorado River water, agricultural waste waters, Salton Sea water, and ground water. In addition, geothermal power plants can produce their own cooling water in the form of 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: California Univ., Livermore (USA). Lawrence Livermore Lab.
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 7125615
• Report Number(s): UCRL-78019; CONF-760990-1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
150200* -- Geology & Hydrology of Geothermal Systems
150800 -- Geothermal Power Plants
CALIFORNIA
COLORADO RIVER
COOLING SYSTEMS
ECONOMICS
GEOTHERMAL FIELDS
GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANTS
GROUND WATER
Geothermal Legacy
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
IMPERIAL VALLEY
NORTH AMERICA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POWER PLANTS
RIVERS
SALTON SEA
STREAMS
SURFACE WATERS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
USA
WATER
WATER REQUIREMENTS
WATER RESOURCES
WESTERN REGION