Geothermal Energy Development

Geothermal Energy Development
Author: Edgar W. Butler
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 371
Release: 2012-12-06
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 146847006X

What are the effects on an isolated region when an entirely new and major energy resource is developed to commercial proportions? What happens to the population, the economy, the environment, the community, and societal relations? How does the government frame work respond, the family structure adapt, the economy expand, and life styles change under the impact of new forces which hold a prom ise of much benefit and a risk of adverse consequences? Imperial County, California, has a population of less than 90,000 people. This population has been exceptionally stable for years, cen tered as it is in an agricultural and recreational framework. The county is somewhat cut off from other areas by geographic barriers of moun'" tains and desert, by state and natural boundaries, and is the most remote of all 58 counties of California from the state capitol, Sacra mento. In the decade of the 1950s, geographical explorations for oil re vealed some anomalous structures underlying the desert and agricul tural areas in Imperial County. These, when drilled, seemed to be oil less and hot, and so lacked attractiveness to petroleum wildcatters. In the decade of the 1960s, Dr.

Engineering Aspects of Geothermal Development in the Imperial Valley

Engineering Aspects of Geothermal Development in the Imperial Valley
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages:
Release: 1976
Genre:
ISBN:

In order to provide background for introduction of a Geothermal Element into the General Plan of the County of Imperial, California, studies were conducted on resource evaluation, engineering development, environmental impact, economics, regulation, and so forth. This document is a collection of reviews of engineering matters pertinent to the County's plan. Briefly, the contents include discussions of drilling practice, costs, and land requirements. Brief notes on reinjection and on fluid transmission follow. The section on power plants attempts to give scaling relationships for land area, costs, and performance, according to size and reservoir temperature. The problem of cooling power plants is important, particularly in an arid agricultural area. Cooling requirements, water availability, and water suitability are discussed in turn. The question of the interactions of the hydrologic cycle, withdrawals for cooling, and the Salton Sea is covered in a separate EQL document. Finally, there are sections devoted to nonelectrical uses for the geothermal resources, including production of fresh water and chemicals. The direct uses for geothermal heat are not included.

Description of Imperial Valley, California for the Assessment of Impacts of Geothermal Energy Development

Description of Imperial Valley, California for the Assessment of Impacts of Geothermal Energy Development
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages:
Release: 1976
Genre:
ISBN:

Impending geothermal development in the Imperial Valley of California has raised concern over the possible impacts of such development. As an initial step in impact assessment of geothermal projects, relevant features of the valley's physical and human environments are described. Particular attention is placed on features that may either influence development or be affected by it. Major areas of consideration include the valley's physical resources (i.e., land, air, water, and biological resources), economic, fiscal, and social characteristics of Imperial County, and geothermal laws.

Geothermal Energy

Geothermal Energy
Author: National Science Foundation (U.S.)
Publisher:
Total Pages: 108
Release: 1972
Genre: Geothermal engineering
ISBN: