Geothermal 101 An Overview Randy Manion Renewable Resource Program Manager Western Area Power Administration 720-962-7423 manion@wapa.gov Graphics provided by NREL and EPRI
Presentation Overview Why Geothermal Geothermal Potential Technology Applications What s Next..
Why Geothermal High energy density with small footprint Contributes to energy diversity and energy independence No fuel importing or transportation costs Clean and emission free Reliable and baseload resource
We Live in a Changing World
2007 Minimum Sea Ice Extent
Where U.S. Energy Consumption Continues to Grow 120 100 1850-2000 Non-hydro Renewables Quadrillion BTUs 80 60 40 Hydro Nuclear Natural Gas 20 Wood Crude Oil Imports 0 Coal Coal 1850 1870 1890 1910 1930 1950 1970 1990 Source: 1850-1949, Energy Perspectives: A Presentation of Major Energy and Energy-Related Data, U.S. Department of the Interior, 1975; 1950-2000, Annual Energy Review 2000, Table 1.3.
Other Drivers for Geothermal Declining Costs Federal and State Policies Demand for Green Power Uncertain Carbon Future Integrated Resource Planning Green jobs
Geothermal Potential
Geothermal Potential Heat from the Earth is Limitless Approximat ely 42 million megawatts of power
Geothermal Reservoirs
Technology Applications Electricity Generation Direct Thermal Use Geothermal Heat Pumps. Power Direct Use Geo Heat Pump
Power Generation
Hydrothermal NREL Relatively shallow stores of steam, hot water, or both. Wells tap into permeable underground reservoirs that convey heat from deep inside the Earth. Two techniques: flash and binary Geothermal well-drilling rig
Hydrothermal: Flash High-temperature steam Water hotter than 200 C (392 F) flashes into steam as it is brought to the surface and its pressure drops. The steam is used to directly drive a turbine. NREL Flashed-steam plant near Brawley, California
Hydrothermal: Binary Moderate-temperature water The energy of water heated to 266-360 F is transferred to a working fluid with a lower boiling point. The working fluid vaporizes and drives a steam turbine. NREL Binary plant, Heber, California
Hot Dry Rock EGS Still in early development Sandia/NREL Surface water is pumped into hot underground strata fractured by highpressure water injection. Water heats as it flows through the rock, and is extracted as hot water or steam from a nearby well. DOE Hot dry rock research facility, New Mexico
Significant Power Production 3000 MW in US Today As of 2008, 4,000 MW of new geothermal under development 4 th largest source of renewable energy in the US in 2007 Accounts for 5% of California s generation in 20033000 MW in US Today
Direct Use Agriculture (greenhouse and soil warming) Aquaculture (fish, prawn, and alligator farming) Industrial Uses (product drying and warming) Residential and District Heating Balneology (hot spring and spa bathing) Alligators in Colorado
Direct Use Applications District Heating Greenhouses Space Heating Snow Melting
Direct-Use Applications Nursery Fish Farm
District Heating in Western U.S. There are 18 geothermal district-heating systems operating in the western United States. Over 270 cities in the western U.S. are close enough to geothermal reservoirs to use district heating.
A recent study identified 271 cities and 404 communities in the 10 western states that could potentially utilize geothermal energy for district heating and other applications. Source: Geo-Heat Center, Oregon Institute of Technology.
Direct Use Applications Included 58 communities that have potential for power generation 33 communities with a potential for industrial applications 113 communities with space heating and cooling potential 404 communities with resort, spa, greenhouse, and aquaculture potential
Geothermal Source Heat Pumps
Geothermals Time is Now 2006 MIT study suggested that EGS could potentially supply domestic electricity totalling 517,800 MWe.
Geothermal Jobs Could ultimately contribute to more than 300,000 clean energy jobs
New Technologies Helping
GRC 2009 Annual Meeting Reno, Nevada at the Peppermill, October 2-7 Preconference Technical Workshops - October 2-3 Geothermal Field Trips - October 2-4 Trade Show October 4-7 Technical Sessions (250 papers & posters) October 5-7 Register at: www.geothermal.org