California’s Geothermal Potential Largely Untapped
http://cleantechnica.com/2014/02/25/californias-geothermal-potential-largely-untapped/
Sacramento, CA (February 20, 2014)As the California Air Resources Board is examining their new scoping plan for implementing the states ambitious climate law, AB 32, the leading geothermal industry group has issued a status report on the states geothermal resources that says they are still largely untapped.
Geothermal power is a viable, cost-effective, and plentiful renewable energy option to meet Californias climate goals, GEA told CARB. Utilizing the Golden States geothermal resources can help achieve carbon reductions with the least total cost and highest power system reliability, GEA reports.
In brief, the status report shows that:
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Geothermal power generated 4.4% of total system power in California in 2012, but could have generated substantially more.
Geothermal power produces some of the lowest life-cycle emissions when compared to almost every other energy technology and even some renewables
Depending on the resource characteristics and plant design, geothermal power plants can be engineered to provide firm and/or flexible power
Even with high upfront capital costs, geothermal power is a competitive renewable energy source
About half of Californias identified geothermal resources are still untapped, and significant resources may remain undiscovered
Geothermal power is key to achieving an expanded renewable power portfolio at the lowest total cost
New technology will reduce geothermal power risks and can expand the supply curve to make more resources commercially available
The Salton Sea Known Geothermal Resource Area (SSKGRA) is considered by many to be the best opportunity for growth in California in the near term
Distributed generation geothermal power and heating projects have potential in a number of areas, but are not eligible for the type of support provided other distributed generation projects
Challenges to growth of utility-scale plants include weak demand, inadequate transmission, permitting delays, and a lack of coordinated policies.
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