Idaho ranking 4th in geothermal development in the U.S.
Raft River geothermal plant, Idaho, (source: U.S. Geothermal)
Alexander Richter
18 Apr 2010
Idaho ranks number 4 when it comes to planned geothermal projects in the U.S., so a new report by the U.S. Geothermal Energy Association.
Reported from the U.S., “Idaho was one of the leading states in a race toward geothermal development and the billions of dollars in revenue and subsidies the industry generates, according to a report released by the Geothermal Energy Association.
The Gem State experienced the fourth-fastest rate of growth in geothermal development in 2009, according to the report. The report said geothermal energy production capacity more than doubled in 2009.
In October 2009, geologists led by Utah State University announced they would spend $4.6 million over two years to drill bore holes near Kimberly and the Kimama area in Lincoln County to test geothermal reserves. The Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Tribe is also planning a 100-megawatt geothermal plant near Preston.
However, geothermal remains a largely untapped source of energy in Idaho — dominated by hydro, wind and biomass energy production.
The hot springs that mark the southeastern part of the state have called attention to geothermal resources — some homes and small-scale greenhouses use the earth’s hot water for heating. And the Northwest’s first geothermal electric plant is near Raft River. Operated by U.S. Geothermal Inc., it produces about 13 megawatts of electricity with a maximum capacity estimated at 110 megawatts.
Generating costs are relatively high, said Ken Neely and Gerry Galinato for the Governor’s Geothermal Task Force in 2007. But they added that technological improvements offer prospects of developing more geothermal sites in Idaho.
Nevada led the race in 2009 with more than 3,000 megawatts under development. Utah came in a close second, quadrupling its geothermal power development, followed by New Mexico, which tripled its capacity.
In addition, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas all reported their first geothermal projects compared with a year earlier.
Nationwide, the report showed 26 percent growth in new projects under development in the past year, with 188 projects under way in 15 states which could produce as much as 7,875 MW of new electric power — enough to power 7.8 million homes.
GEA Executive Director Karl Gawell said in a release that geothermal projects under construction across the United States will create about 29,750 permanent jobs, as well as thousands more in construction and manufacturing of facilities.
“The federal stimulus, tax incentives, and strong state renewable standards continue to fuel the growth in geothermal power,” Gawell said in the release. “Many geothermal developers are building projects in the U.S., and the cash grant provides them an effective incentive that quickly reduces their debt — an important fact in the present economic recession.”
Source: The Times-News via istockanalyst
