Potential growth of electric power production from Imperial Valley geothermal resources

Technical Report · Fri Sep 30 00:00:00 EDT 1977

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5198466· OSTI ID:5198466

Ermak, D L

The growth of geothermal electric power operations in Imperial Valley, California is projected over the next 40 years. With commercial power forecast to become available in the 1980's, the scenario considers three subsequent growth rates: 40, 100, and 250 MW per year. These growth rates, along with estimates of the total resource size, result in a maximum level of electric power production ranging from 1000 to 8000 MW to be attained in the 2010 to 2020 time period. Power plant siting constraints are developed and used to make siting patterns for the 400- through 8000-MW level of power production. Two geothermal technologies are included in the scenario: flashed steam systems that produce cooling water from the geothermal steam condensate and emit noncondensable gases to the atmosphere; and high pressure, confined flow systems that inject the geoghermal fluid back into the ground. An analysis of the scenario is made with regard to well drilling and power plant construction rates, land use, cooling water requirements, and hydrogen sulfide emissions.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 5198466
• Report Number(s): UCRL-52252
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANTS
POWER POTENTIAL
IMPERIAL VALLEY
ELECTRIC POWER
FLASHED STEAM SYSTEMS
FORECASTING
GEOTHERMAL FLUIDS
GEOTHERMAL WELLS
HYDROGEN SULFIDES
LAND USE
RECOMMENDATIONS
REINJECTION
RESOURCE ASSESSMENT
SITE SELECTION
WASTE DISPOSAL
WELL DRILLING
CALIFORNIA
CHALCOGENIDES
DRILLING
FLUIDS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MANAGEMENT
NORTH AMERICA
POWER
POWER PLANTS
SULFIDES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
USA
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WELLS
Geothermal Legacy
150800* - Geothermal Power Plants