Geothermal resources at Marysville, Montana
Conference
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OSTI ID:7353986
Utilization of the concentrated thermal energy of the earth for electrical power generation is a relatively recent development. By far the largest amount of the potential energy is contained in hot, dry rock, where there is not sufficient fluid content and/or mobility to transfer the heat by convection to a reservoir. The Marysville geothermal area appears to be such a system. The source of the high heat flow (up to 13 times the world average) may be a body of recently molten rock (magma) buried at a depth of only 1 - 2 km (3 - 6,000 feet). The discovery and exploration of the geothermal area is described and an estimate of the potential for power production is made. Based on a number of assumptions the possible potential might be 200 - 1,000 megawatts (electrical) for a period of 25 years, based on the presently known extent and intensity of the heat flow anomaly. An estimate of the geothermal resource base in the western United States, based on the Marysville model, is well in excess of 100,000 megawatts (electrical) for a century. Technological and scientific studies leading to techniques for tapping this resource base are in progress at the present time and if they are successful, geothermal power could be a very significant alternative power source for the United States.
- Research Organization:
- Southern Methodist Univ., Dallas, Tex. (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 7353986
- Report Number(s):
- NSF/RA/N-74-052
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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