Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Geothermal topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Ormat Technologies briefs commissioners on geothermal prospecting and interest in Elko County
Summary
Representatives from Ormat described geothermal prospecting methods, interest in Elko County prospects including Crescent Valley and Tuscarora, and technical and market considerations for development; Ormat estimated typical operating output in the Tuscarora area at about 20 megawatts.
Scott Nichols of Ormat Technologies introduced an Ormat team and said the company is expanding geothermal prospecting across the Great Basin. Nichols told the commission that geothermal represents “our best available baseload renewable energy resources” and described a two‑part industry push: federal incentives to expedite baseload renewables and interest in engineered geothermal systems (EGS) that target hot rock as opposed to high‑temperature brine.
Geochemist Colin Ferguson reviewed field methods and geochemical “geothermometers” used to infer subsurface temperatures from spring and well chemistry. Commissioners asked whether Ormat was actively prospecting in Elko County; Nichols and Ferguson confirmed Ormat has recent interest in Crescent Valley, Tuscarora and other local prospects and noted an operating facility near Tuscarora produces roughly 20 megawatts (a planning rule‑of‑thumb of ~700 homes per megawatt was discussed). The company discussed leasing on BLM lands, reserved mineral rights complexity, and challenges in delivering power to large buyers if transmission upgrades are required.
