Geothermal Energy Databook for the Western United States (Draft Copy)

The National Geothermal Information Resource (GRID) project of the Lawrence Berkley Laboratory was initiated in 1974 with the objective of compiling both basic and site-specific data on major aspects of geothermal energy utilization. During the past ten years much progress has been made in the United States to develop geothermal energy and to construct power plants. Current electrical power produced is 608 MWe at The Geysers in California which obtains steam to drive turbines from steam wells. However, the major new sources of geothermal energy in the next decade are expected to be hot brine systems located in the Western United States. Data on the power potential and progress toward utilization is needed for these new areas to identify impediments to utilization and to forecast power on-line in the next decades. However, the data is widely scattered and largely unevaluated, thereby impeding the analysis for predictions of power production in the decades 1980, 1990, and beyond the year 2000. The objective of this work is to provide a single, comprehensive database containing evaluated reference data useful in assessing geothermal sites for their potential to produce electrical power. The compilation and evaluation constitute a databook of current information for plant construction, modeling, research and development for conversion of geothermal energy to electric power production. The result of this work include identification of areas where data are lacking or are inadequate and where technology development is needed. The interest in site-specific data stems from two important concerns: (1) forecasts of power production related to local, state, and national goals, for example, the second report on geothermal energy by the Interagency Geothermal Coordinating Council which contains forecasts for power on-line to the year 2000 and beyond, and (2) the assessment of each site to produce power in an economic manner for a 20 to 30-year time period. The currently available data for geothermal sites is widely scattered, uneven in quantity and quality, and ranges from extensive for The Geysers and East Mesa areas to sparse for Alvord and Lassen. This is especially true for sites outside of California. The best available sources have been used to gather the data and every attempt has been made to assure that figures and facts quoted are the most accurate and up-to-date. Data are compiled from the original sources as much as possible, and new or revised data is added after its receipt. A table of page 14 lists leasing data as of late 1978 for the most important KGRs. Additionally, page 29 provides a list of the more important sites and characteristics. A table containing leasing data as of late 1978 begins on page 53. This report is part of the collection of much detailed historical data (history). There are many references at the end of this report. Additionally, this report is accompanied by appendices that included many maps and references. [Abstracters note: This was part of a large but short-lived effort at LBNL to collect lots of geothermal data. There may be other reports that are worth searching for to add to the Geothermal Legacy collection at OSTI. DJE-2005