Energy conversion and economics for geothermal power generation at Heber, California, Valles Caldera, New Mexico, and Raft River, Idaho: case studies. Topical report 2

Technical Report · Mon Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1976

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7307109· OSTI ID:7307109

Holt, B; Ghormley, E L

A portion of the results from a one-year study to assess the feasibility of constructing a 25 to 50 MWe geothermal power plant using low-salinity hydrothermal fluids as the energy source is presented. The objective of this report was to investigate the compatibility of the different power conversion options with real geothermal reservoirs and to analyze the economics of power generation. Nine cases are discussed which were chosen to yield further insight into the effect of reservoir temperature on the choice of conversion technology and power costs. These cases examine flashed steam, binary cycle and hybrid conversion for Raft River, Idaho; Heber, California; and Valles Caldera, New Mexico that have bottom-hole temperatures of approximately 150/sup 0/C, 180/sup 0/C and 260/sup 0/C, respectively. Conceptual layouts of the power conversion processes, cycle analyses and economic analyses are presented. The principal conclusions are: a hydrothermal demonstration plant is technically environmentally, and economically feasible in the 1980 time frame; the recommended demonstration site is Heber, Imperial Valley, California; binary cycle power conversion technology is recommended; the recommended demonstration plant capacity is approximately 50 MWe; and there are no overriding environmental constraints.

• Research Organization: HOLT/PROCON, Pasadena, CA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 7307109
• Report Number(s): EPRI-ER-301
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
BINARY-FLUID SYSTEMS
THERMODYNAMICS
FLASHED STEAM SYSTEMS
GEOTHERMAL ENERGY CONVERSION
ECONOMICS
HYBRID SYSTEMS
GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANTS
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
2-METHYLPROPANE
CALIFORNIA
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DESIGN
HEBER GEOTHERMAL FIELD
HYDROTHERMAL SYSTEMS
IDAHO
IMPERIAL VALLEY
NEW MEXICO
POWER GENERATION
PROPANE
RAFT RIVER VALLEY
ALKANES
CONVERSION
ENERGY CONVERSION
GEOTHERMAL FIELDS
GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS
HYDROCARBONS
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PACIFIC NORTHWEST REGION
POWER PLANTS
SOUTHWEST REGION
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
USA
WESTERN REGION
Geothermal Legacy
150800* - Geothermal Power Plants
150500 - Geothermal Energy- Economics
Industrial
& Business Aspects