Union County, La Grande, Oregon, Geothermal District Heating: Feasibility Study

摘要

La Grande is the county seat, with a 1980 population of 11,372 is the largest city in Union County. It is located in an area of known geothermal water. Temperatures range from 70 deg. F. to as high as 185 deg. F. Unfortunately, the high temperature wells are located eight and one half miles distant from the city. Areas with concentrated high heat loads were identified in the business district, and nearby institutions consisting of Eastern Oregon State College, a high school, a hospital, and several public buildings. Costs of installing and operating a district heating system were calculated as if it were to be an investor owned utility. Rates to customers would be 30% below the current costs of fuels now being used. The first three years would involve an operating loss, after that the system would pay debt service and operate at a profit. The feasibility of the DHC system depends almost entirely upon bringing in one or more warm water wells within or close to the city limits, with temperatures not less than 150 deg. F, a minimum of 15,000 gpm and at depths not more than 2,500 feet. The return water will be reinjected and it will be reheated by the same natural forces.