Geothermal Power Generation in Idaho: An Overview of Current Developments and Future Potential

Neely, Kenneth; Galinato, Gerry

Idaho is poised to receive its first geothermal power generation facility at Raft River in southern Cassia County (Figure 1). By the end of 2007, U.Us. Geothermal Inc., plans to be operating a 13 megawatt (MW) power plant as Phase I of its Raft River Project. This site was the location of the world's first geothermal binary operation in the early 1980's when the US Department of Energy constructed a demonstration plant. The binary plant operated successfully for about eight months, but since it was not economical, the plant was shut down and much of the equipment was sold. The site was leased by Vulcan in the 1990's, but there was no additional exploration or development. In 2002, U.S. Geothermal Inc., obtained the Raft River project and began refurbishing the site. The existing wells were cleaned and tested, geophysical surveys were run to further define the geothermal resources, new wells were drilled, financing for the project was obtained, a power purchase agreement was secured, and construction of the plant commenced. there are now nine deep production and injection wells at the site. The company currently owns or holds leases for 10.8 square miles. which may have the potential of 110 MW (U.S. Geothermal Inc., website). In June 2007, the BLM leased four parcels (7,164 acres) in the project area, which netted a total bonus of $4.29 million (BLM, 2007). U.S. Geothermal was the high bidder for one of the parcels, and Aqua Caliente from Colorado won the other three bids.