Lilies, Tilapia, and Gators - Oh My! Idaho Puts Geothermal to Use for Greenhouse and Aquaculture Operations

摘要

The existence of 544 wells and springs with water temperatures between 90 and 120 degrees Fahrenheit makes Idaho a great place for geothermal greenhouse and aquaculture businesses to set up shop. Currently, Idaho has 12 greenhouse operations that produce a wide variety of vegetables and flowers. Eleven aquaculture operations in Idaho are homes to catfish, tilapia, bullfrogs, ornamentals, and alligators that are raised with low temperature geothermal water. These geothermal greenhouse and aquaculture operations are found mostly throughout the southern part of the state. Recently, there have been additional inquiries and interests with respect to a new greenhouse operation, an expansion of an existing greenhouse business, and a fresh water lobster farm downstream of a future geothermal electrical power plant. Clearly, Idaho is hot place for using geothermal water to produce vegetation and aquatic life.