A new initiative, introduced recently by the U.S. Department of Energy, may change all that. Energy Secretary Bill Richardson last week confirmed 21 partnerships between the DOE and private industry to promote the development and use of geothermal energy in the western United States. Power Engineers, an engineering consultancy that advises PacifiCorp, owner of the Blundell plant, is one of the partners. Powered by DOE grants and matching funds from private industry, the partnerships are designed to expand the use of geothermal energy to bring electricity and geothermal heat to residents and businesses in California, New Mexico, Nevada and Utah. The company will investigate the potential to drill more wells into the Blundell reservoir for increased production.
Power also plans to explore more ways to use the hot water.
After hot water from the reservoir is used to create steam for electricity turbines, it is pumped back into the ground to reheat. The water is still very hot 345 degrees Fahrenheit and contains vast amounts of exploitable energy. Developing energy technologies for water at this temperature could have implications for geothermal sources cooler than that found at Roosevelt Hot Springs. Recipients should seek permission to reprint the article from the source listed above. Reading on line, downloading or other use of this information signifies acceptance of these conditions, and the Full Disclaimer.