Geothermal in Central Oregon

Newberry National Volcanic Monument (c) Stephanie Hicks

Last week, President Obama announced that geothermal energy in Central Oregon would receive a much-needed boost.  $80 million in federal stimulus funds would go towards experimental technology that could unlock clean, renewable geothermal energy lying beneath the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, about 1/2 hour south of Bend, Oregon.  The developer of the potential renewable energy project is also planning to apply for a federal grant to help the effort.

While its thrilling for people in the region in which I live to hear about the influx of federal funds, there are still some concerns about the impacts of geothermal exploration.  But before we get to that, let’s take a look at what is involved.

As reported in the local paper, The Bulletin:

A planned geothermal plant on the western flank of the Newberry National Volcanic Monument south of Bend has been stalled since October, when two test wells revealed heat, but without enough water for a commercial geothermal plant.  Now, developer Davenport Power is investigating ways to advance the project, including drilling a handful of smaller wells and applying for federal grants for an experimental geothermal technique called Enhanced Geothermal Systems to get energy from the sort of warm, but dry, wells that Davenport drilled near Newberry.

Basically, what would be required at Newberry is to artificially insert water deep underground, which can get heated by the natural, hot rock conditions.  In other words, instead of pumping out hot water from below surface reservoirs, the EGS procedure involves pumping water into man-made reservoirs.  Natural heat will warm it up and then it can be pumped to the surface again for geothermal energy.

So, how does the government fit in?  Basically, the enhanced geothermal process is too expensive and experimental to conduct without federal funds.  The developer is very relieved to be able to move forward, particularly because private money would not be available under the circumstances.

Geothermal energy

Why here in Central Oregon?  In 2007, a Department of Energy sponsored report identified the region as one of six sites nationwide appropriate for enhanced geothermal systems.  At the Newberry site alone, a geothermal power plant could produce enough energy for 100,000 homes (more than the entire population of Bend).  Granite beneath the surface reaches temps up to 400 degrees F!

Concerns, however, are based on the fact that EGS is still experimental.

Worldwide, there are only a few areas in which enhanced geothermal power is active, mostly in Australia.  With respect to the Newberry area that Davenport Power is considering, they would propose drilling a few more wells to see if they turn out lucrative.  The cost for doing so is far less than the $7-10 million spent last year in drilling what turned out to be dry wells.  now, we’re talking less than $1 million.

Obama and the rest of the nation are hopeful that geothermal in Central Oregon (and other prime areas) will result in green jobs and less reliance on fossil fuels.

I am too.

What do you think about enhanced geothermal systems and the impacts of geothermal exploration?