Jan 28 2010
Western GeoPower develops geothermal energy projects for generating electricity. The company has developed Unit 1 geothermal power plant and the South Meager geothermal project. The Unit 1 – The Geysers geothermal project, leased out by the company, covers an area of 1,000 acres. This Unit 1 project is located in The Geysers geothermal field in Northern California. The company has drilled production wells to provide one 35-megawatt (MWe) power plant, and has planned to commence commercial geothermal generation in the year, 2010.
According to GeothermEx, a geothermal consulting firm, the Unit 1 – The Geysers geothermal project will be able to support one 35MWe power plant up to 20 years. This geothermal project includes design, construction and operation of geothermal facilities. It also includes drilling of injection and production wells, injection systems, construction of a power generation plant, and an inter-tie and transmission line. The company has planned to drill one injection well and eight production wells. An initial rig test performed on the first well in April 2008 by GeothermEx showed a steam flow rate upto 140,000lb/hr at a pressure of 137psi. Therefore, 10 megawatts can be generated initially and with a stable capacity of 7 megawatts.
The power plant included in the Unit 1 geothermal project contains a 35-megawatt Top Exhausting Geothermal Condensing Steam Turbine Generator. The 115 kilovolt transmission line that is fixed near the proposed power plant can be accessed by tapping the transmission line.
Source: http://www.geopower.ca