Utility plans for utilization of geothermal energy in California

Early in 1976, JPL conducted a survey of California utilities to ascertain their views on the probable rate of geothermal development in the State of California in the immediate future (Reference 1). At the time the survey was conducted, the only firm utility plans for geothermal generating capacity were for the Geysers dry steam field in Northern California; experimental work on utilization of the hot water fields of the Imperial Valley was in its early stages. All of the utilities contacted indicated a willingness to consider geothermal energy as an alternative to gas- and oil-fired plants, but most emphasized that their prime reliance would be on nuclear power to meet future demand growth. Over the ten-year period 1976-1986, they foresaw a maximum of 2500 MW of geothermal capacity coming on-line, and, of this, 2150 NW was at The Geysers (see Figure 1). Since that survey was conducted, a number of new factors have entered the utility planning picture. Most significant has been the hardening of attitudes in the State against the installation of nuclear plants, and the emphasis on seeking alternative energy sources. Two major nuclear projects, Sundesert and San Joaquin, have been abandoned, and the passage of stiff regulatory laws governing nuclear installations has made approval of Dew nuclear projects in the State highly improbable for the foreseeable future. In addition, the State has moved to simplify and accelerate the approval procedure for geothermal plants in particular, and has published regulations intended to reduce the time required for obtaining approval for Notice of Intent (NOI) (to construct an electric generating plant) and for Application for Certification (AFC) (of the proposed generating plant) from the California Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission (CERCDC) to one year. Previously, this NOI/AFC approval process had been taking two to four years to complete, and was cited by utilities as a major deterrent to commitment to geothermal plants. Other factors entering the planning equation include the implementation of the Federal Geothermal Loan Guaranty Program, authorized by the Geothermal Research and Development Act of 1974 (PL 93-410), but not yet implemented when the survey was taken; and the additional experience provided-by two-and-one-half years of working with the hot water resources of the Imperial In view of the changed environment, JPL was requested by the U.S. Department of Energy to update the earlier survey and ascertain the present utility outlook for geothermal energy utilization. This report presents the results of that update