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SNOPUD Geothermal Activities

Snohomish Pubic Utility District, the 12th largest in the nation has embarked on an aggressive geothermal development strategy within their service area.  With a goal of 90 MW by 2020, they are well on their way with significant early milestones in 2007 and 2008.  From a presentation by SNOPUD’s Craig Collar

    • Updated GIS database utilizing data from historical BPA studies
    • Existing data review
    • Temperature with depth maps
    • Geochemistry
    • Geology
    • Fracture/fault mapping
    • Seismic data
    • Stress/tectonic regime
    • Transmission lines
    • Access/land availability
    • Gathered new geochemistry data from springs and wells
    • Preliminary costs: exploration, wells, plant
    • Potential exploration/development options

SnoPud Geothermal Workshop a Success

Over 65 participants attended the Geothermal Workshop for utilities hosted by Snohomish PUD in Everett last week.  During the day and a half event on both power generation and ground source heat pumps the focus was on the state of the industry and the opportunities now for advancing geothermal in Washington State.

The two most important Washington State specific geothermal findings were SnoPud’s  goal of 90 MW from Geothermal in the Cascades by 2020 and the estimate by the National Geothermal Resources Council that Washington State’s geothermal potential could be double previous estimates and exceed 600 MW.

The event was opened by SnoPud Director Steve Klein and Congressman Jay Inslee (via recorded video).  Congressman Inslee, whose district includes part of the service district of SnoPud, talked about making Washington State a geothermal leader and was looking forward to "cut(ting) the ribbon on the first plant" .  Congressman Inslee has also arranged for $500K in funding to assist SnoPud in developing their geothermal plan.

However, the state faces a significant challenge as resource estimates are from a 1979 study.  "Comprehensive research and exploration have not been done (in Washington State)" according to GRC Executive Director Curt Robinson.  And yet, he felt confident enough to cast an estimate of 600 MW, primarily in the Cascades and Central Washington. 

Western Washington’s geothermal potential remains unknown and is largely masked by the rainfall on the western slopes of the Cascades.  Experts still feel that several sites may exist along the I-5 transmission corridor, a critical factor in the siting of any geothermal plant.

Development costs have soared in recent months as capital, material and exploration costs have significantly spiked. Guy Nelson with the Geothermal Working Group stated that the current rule of thumb is now $4 Million per MW.  Geothermal power can range from 6.6 to 11.6 cents per kiloWatt hour.

Rural PUD’s also learned about the new loan assistance program by the USDA for ground source heat pumps.  This program offers a great opportunity for Eastern Washington utilities to help homeowners install and finance home heat pumps that are critical for utilities interested in peak shaving, and homeowners interested in significantly reducing their home heating and cooling costs.

Representatives from Seattle City Light, Tacoma Power and Skamania PUD were in attendance, as was State Senator Adam Kline.  Senator Kline is talking to Senate leadership about introducing the Geothermal Study Bill again this year.   He is confident that a straight forward study bill (no policy, regulations, funding or taxes) that explores both power generation and heat pumps will garner strong interest by legislators throughout the state. 

2008 GEA Report; Washington State – 1 unspecified project

The GEA has released its latest production and development report.  Nationally, growth is project at ~20% since the beginning of 2008.  Washington State garners a reference to one project around Mt. Baker.  No MW power output is assigned.

Geothermal_Update_August_7_2008

August 11th Geothermal Meeting Location & Agenda

Electric Utilities’ Roles in Promoting Geothermal Technologies

August 11-12, 2008
2320 California Street – Everett (Snohomish County Public Utility District)

Map to location pdf is here Traffic can be heavy heading North across the county line.  Plan accordingly.  Bus Service from Seattle is the Sound Transit 510, Schedule is here.  Carpooling can be good time to catch up with people you know.

The topics are salient to where Washington State is vis a vis geothermal.  SnoPud is to be commended for appropriately framing and hosting the event.  Link to SNOPUD Press Release is here

August 11

9:00 Registration

9:30 Opening Remarks: Steve Klein, General Manager SNOPUD and Congressman Phil Inslee US House of Representatives

9:45 Panel Discussion: “Geothermal Potential In the Pacific Northwest” Susan

  • Petty, AltaRock Energy, Inc, Chair
  • Curt Robinson, Geothermal Resources Council
  • John Martinsen, SNOPUD
  • Kermit Witherbee, Bureau of Land Management
  • Bill Lum WA State Department of Ecology

11:15 Break

11:30 “Developing, Building and Operating Geothermal Power Plants” Guy Nelson, Team Leader, Utility Geothermal Working Group

12:15 Luncheon Presentation: “Geothermal Technologies and Utility Leadership Roles in Promoting Rural Development; Dan Bowers, USDA

1:30 “Geothermal Heat Pumps: Benefits and Issues”, Paul Bony, ClimateMaster

2:00 Panel Discussion: “Utility Perspectives” Craig Collar, SNOPUD Chair

  • Craig Collar, Snohomish PUD
  • Marilynn Semro, Seattle City Light
  • Jerry Brown, Palo Alto Utilities
  • Garth Larson, PacifiCorp

3:30 Break

 

3:45 “Risks and Rewards of Including Renewables in a Utility’s Resource Portfolio” Brian Walshe, ALTERA Energy

4:15 Products and Services Panel, Guy Nelson, Utility Geothermal Working Group

  • John Pierce, WSG&R
  • Susan Petty, AltaRock Energy
  • Paul Bony, ClimateMaster

5:15 Adjourn for the Day

August 12

7:30 am Continental Breakfast

8:00 “A Tale of Two Buildings” Guy Nelson, UGWG

8:30 “GHP Analytical Tools” Katherine Johnson, Market Development Group

9:15 Geothermal Technologies in Waste Heat Recovery Applications, Guy Nelson, UGWG

9:45 Breakout Sessions: “How Do We Get More Cost-Effective Geothermal Projects Into the Market?”

  • Utility Perspective
  • Regulatory/Government Perspective
  • Customer Perspective

10:45 Break

11:00 Reports from the Breakout Sessions

Noon Adjourn

Federal Programmatic EIS Public Session – Monday July 28th, 2008

Few members of the public attended the Monday evening event at the University Library in Seattle.  According to an attendee, federal BLM and Forest Service representatives outnumbered the public two to one.  Public attendees included at least one European power developer exploring the process in the Western United States.  Questions by the public did not convey any concerns about geothermal energy, but focused on government process and leasing rights.There were several other citizens of the state in attendance.