San Emidio Geothermal Plant

Coordinates: 40°22′09″N 119°24′21″W / 40.3693°N 119.4057°W / 40.3693; -119.4057
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San Emidio Geothermal Plant
Map
Country
  • United States
LocationWashoe County, Nevada
Coordinates40°22′09″N 119°24′21″W / 40.3693°N 119.4057°W / 40.3693; -119.4057
Commission dateEmpire Geothermal Plant: 1987
Phase 1 reconstruction: 2012
Owner(s)U.S. Geothermal
Power generation
Nameplate capacity11.8 MW
Annual net output64,436 MWh (2018)[1]

San Emidio Geothermal Plant, in Washoe County, Nevada, is a geothermal power plant with a design capacity of 11.8 megawatts (15,800 hp). The upgraded plant went online on May 25, 2012.[2][3]

History[edit]

The plant is the second to occupy the site. The older 3.6-megawatt (4,800 hp) plant, originally known as the Empire Geothermal Plant, which was sold by Empire Geothermal Power LLC to U.S. Geothermal Inc. in 2008,[4] was commissioned in 1987. Phase I of the reconstruction added an 8.6-megawatt (11,500 hp) generator.[2][3][5][6]

In January, 2020, the BLM initiated an environmental assessment concerning a possible new 40-megawatt (54,000 hp) power plant, substation, as many as 25 geothermal and injection wells, a 7.5 mile above ground pipeline and a 58 mile long power line terminating in Fernley, NV.[7] The powerline will parallel an existing 500kV line and use existing access roads.[7]

Future expansions[edit]

  • Phase II (Initially planned for 3Q 2013)[6] (2020)[7]
  • Phase III with 17.2 megawatts (23,100 hp)[5]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ "Electricity Data Browser - San Emidio". www.eia.gov. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  2. ^ a b Rob Sabo (August 13, 2012). "Setbacks delay production at San Emidio geothermal plant". Northern Nevada Business Weekly. Retrieved November 17, 2012.
  3. ^ a b "Geothermal Projects". NV Energy. Retrieved November 19, 2012.
  4. ^ "U.S. Geothermal Completes Acquisition of Producing Geothermal Power Plant and Energy Rights in Nevada". ArizonaEnergy.org. North East Arizona Energy Services Company. May 1, 2008. Retrieved December 3, 2012.
  5. ^ a b "San Emidio Project". U.S. Geothermal. 2007. Archived from the original on December 20, 2012. Retrieved November 19, 2012.
  6. ^ a b "Gerlach geothermal plant wins financing". Northern Nevada Business Weekly. November 21, 2011. Retrieved November 19, 2012.
  7. ^ a b c "DOI-BLM-NV-W030-2020-0003-EA (San Emidio II - North Valley Geothermal)". Bureau of Land Management. Retrieved January 12, 2020.