Binary Generating Units at Kelly Hot Springs, California

摘要

Temperature measurements in the wells drilled in the area around Kelly Hot Spring in northeastern California indicate the presence of an extensive aquifer covering several square miles at 1600 to 3300 feet in depth. The water temperature in the aquifer is in the range of 212 exp 0 to 239 exp 0 F. No flow tests of wells in the area have been carried out. A proposal from Ormat Turbines, Ltd. for a binary power plant generating 1500 kW has been submitted to the owners of the area around Kelly Hot Spring. The proposal calls for a total of 1800 gpm of geothermal fluid at 220 exp 0 F and 7500 gpm of cooling water at 55 exp 0 F. Assuming that the required geothermal fluid can be produced from three production wells, each drilled to a depth of 3000 feet, an economic analysis of this project has been carried out. The results indicate that at 6.6% annual rate of interest, the project will return the initial capital investment of $5,400,000 in twenty years. This assumes full 25% investment tax credit (10% business, 15% energy) for capital investment costs other than drilling costs. (ERA citation 09:045882)