--> Geothermal Energy, by T. C. Hinrichs; #90986 (1994).
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Abstract: Geothermal Energy

Thomas C. Hinrichs

The usage of geothermal energy for Previous HitpowerNext Hit generation has increased significantly in the United States since its initial usage at The Geysers in northern California in the early 1960s. The prime event that has caused the increased use was the passage of the Public Utilities Regulatory Policy Act in 1978. That act required the electric utilities to purchase generation from certain resources (including geothermal) at the utilities avoided costs.

The Geysers has recently passed its 30th year of operation and after peaking in the 1980s at 2000 megawatts has begun a decline in production. As this initial field has reached maturity, other fields in California, Nevada and Utah have come into production. There are presently 2200 megawatts operating in California, 140 megawatts in Nevada and 25 megawatts in Utah.

The geothermal Previous HitpowerNext Hit industry will need support in continual development from governmental agencies due to the significant capital investment required as compared to natural gas fired Previous HitpowerNext Hit generation. Support has been given in the State of California by directing the utilities to seek non-fossil Previous HitpowerNext Hit generation as a percentage of their new capacity requirements. A separate bidding group for non-fossil Previous HitpowerNext Hit capacity is presently being solicited by the California utilities for 275 megawatts of new Previous HitpowerNext Hit to come on line in the 1997-1999 time period.

Due to the lack of future market opportunities, the industry is not carrying out much in the exploration arena. The Department of Energy is planning a jointly funded drilling program (50% each) with industry to develop new resources to provide an inventory of prospects as greater market opportunities occur. It is expected that the emphasis on nonpolluting sources of Previous HitpowerTop will create greater marketing opportunities in the future.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90986©1994 AAPG Annual Convention, Denver, Colorado, June 12-15, 1994