Happy Birthday(s): Utility-scale GT turns 50, the Digest turns one
Geothermal Field at The Geysers, California
While we noted a 50th anniversary celebration back in May, a number of stories about the anniversary are beginning to appear elsewhere in the press as the next Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) sponsored conference approaches in October.
Interestingly, nearly every story on The Geyers suggests that it hosted the world’s first commercial-scale geothermal power plant. This could leave one with the wrong impression. The honor of the very first electric generation goes of course to Prince Piero Ginori Conti of Italy in 1904 at the Larderello dry steam field. His system was distributing 2,750 kW around the village in 1916. “Commercial-scale” is a matter for interpretation, and at minimum changes with the times.
In fact, the first electricity production at The Geysers actually took place in 1921 and powered the on-site Resort Hotel. However, the 250 kW was not competitive with other sources that were then available.
However, 50 years certainly marks a sea change in the industry. Pacific Gas and Electric began operation of an 11 MW power plant in 1960, which became the first of what has grown to become 22 power plants, 350 wells, and over 1,500 MW of capacity.
That, in turn has become the backbone of a 3 GW industry that, according to the GEA, now covers nine states. The Association’s most recent market appraisal notes growth of 26% in 2009, seven new plants on-line and nearly 200 projects being considered or developed.
The industry is being fueled currently, not by hot water, but by Washington and the current administration’s all-out effort to fully develop renewable – or sustainable in geothermal’s case – sources of energy. So long as there is need for power, it is easy to envision a long healthy life for geothermal. At some point, it will have to transition itself to monetary sustainability to be truly viable.
The same can be said of Geothermal Digest. Our readership has risen steadily over the last year, from the few hundred who were sent our first issue to the 2,250 who will receive this one. Our long term prognosis will also depend on our ability to find monetary sustainability. If we can, we intend to be here to celebrate and report on the industry’s future milestones.
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