OIT at Klamath Falls starts construction on small geothermal plant
Initial drilling for project on OIT campus (source: Kristina Maupin/OIT)
Alexander Richter
18 Aug 2013
Construction on a small 1.75 MW geothermal plant has started at the Oregon Institute of Technology Klamath Falls campus in Oregon.
With a contract signed in June this year, construction has now started on a 1.75 MW geothermal plant at the Oregon Institute of Technology at Klamath Falls in Oregon.
When finished and operating the plant will help the campus to get completely off the grid. Additional to the geothermal plant a two MW solar array is also being constructed and will make the campus of OIT at Klamath Falls almost completely carbon-neutral.
“An energy-independent and carbon-neutral campus will not only yield monetary benefits through reduced power bills, but will also serve as a teaching and recruiting tool”, said Chris Maples, OIT president.
The college also plans some informational campaign around the plant. The well that serves the plant was drilled to a depth of 5,300 feet near the parking lot of the college.
The cost for the plant is $14 million with funding coming from the state of Oregon and federal sources, as well as the Energy Trust of Oregon. For the remainder of the project the college has taken a loan, which will be repaid through the utility savings the plant generates. With 74% of current electricity being produced using fossil fuels, the plant has concrete environmental benefits.
Source: Herald and News
