I've been looking at the power project in Chena, Alaska as a posibility. Any Alaskans here with some knowlege of the place. Very interested in start up cost. The internet hasn't been very helpful.

I've been trying to wade through the boondoggle of BLM, USFS, and State requirements to see what one person, small group, or small municipality could do to develope a geothermal energy source without having to come up with a huge capital outlay.  This hasn't been easy, to say the least. From what little I've been able to come up with so far getting the land should be mostly a whole pile of paperwork but without a whole lot of money involved-not much more than filing a mining claim. The devil's work will be getting all of them on the same page at the same time. It shouldn't be too hard to get the EPA, BLM, Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Reclamation, State of Nevada Bureau of Mines, State of Nevada EPA, State of Nevada Water Commission, Union Pacific Railroad (yes, they still own huge chunks of land out here from the 1860's along with the water rights),  County government, local munipalities, and downstream agriculture interests to all agree all at the same time, should it? 

The State of Nevada is now selling geothermal leases in an effort to put more money into the state coffers which have run dry. We're dealing with a nearly 2 billion dollar deficite so anything the state can do to make a buck is being looked at. This could be a golden opportunity for someone with the right backing. I haven't heard what all strings are attached to this. I'd hate to see it turn into another land grab like the mines did back in the 80's but the potential is there.

I wasn't aware of the plant in Empire. My bad. The concept has a lot of potential, though-have to check into that. The Stirling engine thing came to me at out of the blue after a long sleepless night. I've tried tossing the idea around with a few friends who tell me I need to get out of Carlin more often but it did manage to get me a couple of free beers. I guess I'll have to give it some more thought.

I also think we might see more geothermal development with the new stimulus package. Anyone know of any projects blowing in the wind?

Are you familiar with the tertiary Geothermal plant in Empire, NV? They have a system that uses the thermal energy from the earth to heat a volitle gas that then drives the turbines driving the generator. Something like that. Then they pump the water back into the earth. I think the geothermal plants in Massachuset learned that you can deplete the supply of heated water. I like the Stirling engine idea a lot. Do you know of anyone doing this?

Thanks for the input, guys!

Bryan-hydroelectric is pretty much out of the question as that would require a steady supply of surface water and, what with us being out in the middle of the desert, that just ain't gonna' happen. Also, our altitude is closer to 2 k so surface water tends to stay frozen for a good chunk of the year. Solar is certainly an option for domestic use and there are areas "out in the sticks" where it is the only option.  As far as underground temps go-depending on far down you drill-it isn't unheard of to have drill steel lose it's temper from the heat encountered; easily over 800 F. and that can run a steam turbine quite nicely.

Grizz-EPA? We don't get a lot of tree huggers out here because A: There are no trees B: We all love to employed, and C: They're already digging some VERY big holes in the ground to get the gold out which doesn't seem to bother anybody very much. My hat goes off to the City of Elko, Nevada that began heating all major public buildings with geothermal heat 20 years ago.

One of the main problems of developing geothermal in many areas is that just because there is energy (potential) does not mean it can be converted into a usable form.  If you want to heat your home or pool or water for a shower, geothermal is fine but to convert one form of enegry to another requires energy FLOW!  Electricity to mechanicial has to have a POTENTIAL (voltage) difference to have current flow thru the motor.  in NW Navada youn are over 1Km above sea leavel,  why not have hydroelectric?  there is no great DIFFERENCE in potential (height) localy.  In Island  they have high temp (hot enought to make steem, and they are so far north that solar thermal is almost not avalable when they need it most, winter!  the geothermal in your area isnt hot enough to make large amounts of steam so heating is the only practical use.  But your weather, and latitude make solar thermal also much more avalable.

I think the country of Greenland has developed this type of geothermal on the scale you are describing. They heat entire towns with the energy right under their feet.

You have asked a great question - why hasn't this domestic energy resource been developed. It wouldn't surprise me if there wasn't some rare insect or small animal that lives in this natural geothermal area that has prevented further development of this resource - thx to a few & our court system.

Grizz