Geothermal
Geothermal energy is captured by spinning a turbine with steam, which is created from
water warmed by the earth's natural supply of internal heat.
water warmed by the earth's natural supply of internal heat.
|
|
Geothermal Energy in Idaho
A Western Governors Association Geothermal Task Force report estimated that Idaho’s geothermal resources could amount to 855MW of generation by 2015 – or about one-third of the state’s energy needs – if those resources were developed. Idaho currently has one utility-scale geothermal power plant, located at the Raft River site in southern Idaho and developed by Boise-based U.S. Geothermal. That plant is providing 13MW of electricity to Idaho Power, and a like amount is under contract to the Eugene Water and Electric Board in Oregon. U.S. Geothermal is also developing a geothermal generation plant at Neal Hot Springs just across the Idaho-Oregon line, and has a contract with Idaho Power to sell that generation.
Idaho’s geothermal resource map shows significant development potential across the Snake River Plain and into Owyhee County and north beyond New Meadows. The big challenge for geothermal development is that, unlike wind where the resource can be measured relatively easily, it can be enormously expensive to identify a suitable geothermal resource in part because drilling costs are so high. However, in June 2010, US Geothermal became the first geothermal energy producer to secure a U.S. loan guarantee to facilitate development of the 20MW Neal Hot Springs plant.
Idaho’s geothermal resource map shows significant development potential across the Snake River Plain and into Owyhee County and north beyond New Meadows. The big challenge for geothermal development is that, unlike wind where the resource can be measured relatively easily, it can be enormously expensive to identify a suitable geothermal resource in part because drilling costs are so high. However, in June 2010, US Geothermal became the first geothermal energy producer to secure a U.S. loan guarantee to facilitate development of the 20MW Neal Hot Springs plant.
Geothermal Potential in Idaho
Geothermal Projects in Idaho
|
Operating, Under Construction, Approved,
|
Source: Renewable Northwest Project
