| Geothermal Energy |
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| Geothermal Energy Information |
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How Geothermal Works
An Overview of Geothermal Information
Geothermal Resources
Oregon Geothermal Working Group
Ground-Source Heat Pump Information
Outside Links
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How Geothermal Works
Geothermal comes from the Greek words meaning earth heat. From earliest times, people have used geothermal water that flowed freely from the earth's surface as hot springs. Today we drill wells into geothermal reservoirs to bring the hot water to the surface. Once the hot water travels up the wells to the surface, they can be used directly to heat buildings or to generate electricity in power plants.
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| Overview of Geothermal Energy |
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The city of Klamath Falls uses geothermal energy directly to supply heat for a district heating system. Geothermal heat sources in several other Oregon counties supply heat to buildings, swimming pools and resorts and industrial uses.
There is no generation of electricity from geothermal sources within the state of Oregon. However, there are several sites where geological data suggest a resource sufficient for power generation may exist. The potential for production of electricity from Oregon´s geothermal resources has been explored at three sites in Oregon.
In 1996, CalEnergy Company received a site certificate from the Energy Facility Siting Council to build a 30-megawatt geothermal power plant near the Newberry Volcanic Monument in Deschutes County. However, despite considerable investment in exploratory drilling, the company did not find a source of heat and steam sufficient for generating electricity. The company canceled the Newberry project and is now pursuing a similar project in northern California.
Other exploration has occurred near Vale and in the Alvord Dessert near Borax Lake. The latter site is no longer feasible due to the risk of harm to the endangered Borax Lake chub. The exploration at the Vale site failed to locate a geothermal source adequate for generating electricity.
Resource uncertainty as well as high development and exploration costs are substantial barriers to future development of geothermal sources for power production. The location of potential geothermal sources in environmentally sensitive areas has been a barrier to siting geothermal power facilities in the state.
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| Geothermal Resources |
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Geothermal Information Layer for Oregon - Oregon Department of Geology & Mineral Industries
The interactive GTILO map lets you view information on location, temperature, and other features of thermal springs and wells (geothermal exploration, geothermal test, and water wells) as well as known geothermal resource areas and direct-use areas.
Oregon Geothermal Resource Map
A map of geothermal resources in Oregon from Idaho National Laboratory.
Where are Geothermal Resources Located?
A Geo-Heat Center map of the US showing where geothermal resources are located and provides links to the ten western states with collocated communities.
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| Outside Links |
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Geothermal Energy Curriculum (designed for use with grades 4-8): This curriculum describes geothermal energy in the context of the world´s energy needs. It was created in 1994 by the Geothermal Education Office for the Oregon Department of Energy with the support of the Bonneville Power Administration.
Geothermal Fact Sheet from the US Department of Energy
The Geo Heat Center at Oregon Institute of Technology provides technical analysis for those actively involved in geothermal development. This assistance can be in the area of feasibility at the outset of a project, equipment and materials selection during the design phase or follow-up troubleshooting for operational systems.
Geothermal Education Office: The Geothermal Education Office (GEO) produces and distributes educational materials about geothermal energy to schools, educators, libraries, industry and the public. GEO collaborates frequently with education and energy organizations with common goals and responds to requests and questions from around the world.
Geothermal Technologies Program: The U.S. Department of Energy's Geothermal Technologies Program works in partnership with industry to establish geothermal energy as an economically competitive contributor to the nation's energy supply.
GeoPowering the West: The U.S. Department of Energy's GeoPowering the West program works with industry, power companies, industrial and residential consumers, and federal, state, and local officials to provide technical and institutional support and limited, cost-shared funding to state-level activities to develope geothermal energy in the western United States.
Geothermal-Biz.com: This website was developed by Bob Lawrence and Associates, a private consulting firm, to help geothermal entrepreneurs develop geothermal direct use and small power generation projects.
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