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Geothermal Energy Exploration in Washington State Craig W. Collar, P.E. Senior Manager Energy Resource Development
Geothermal Energy Exploration in Washington State
Craig W. Collar, P.E.Senior ManagerEnergy Resource Development
Utility Overview• Municipal corporation of the state of Washington. Located Municipal corporation of the state of Washington. Located
just north of Seattle.just north of Seattle.• Serve a population of ~700,000 and an area of ~2,200 Serve a population of ~700,000 and an area of ~2,200
square miles.square miles.• Largest of 28 PUD’s in Washington, 12Largest of 28 PUD’s in Washington, 12thth largest public utility largest public utility
nationwide.nationwide.• Key customers include Boeing, Naval Station Everett, and Key customers include Boeing, Naval Station Everett, and
Kimberly-Clark Corporation. Kimberly-Clark Corporation.
Energy Challenge• Service Region Service Region
GrowthGrowth– Snohomish County is Snohomish County is
growing rapidly - ~8,000 growing rapidly - ~8,000 new connections/yearnew connections/year
– Load growth of 15 to 20 Load growth of 15 to 20 average MW/yearaverage MW/year
• Renewable Renewable Portfolio StandardPortfolio Standard– Requires the addition of Requires the addition of
~140 average MW of new ~140 average MW of new renewable resources by renewable resources by 2020.2020.
Wind Energy• Challenges:Challenges:
• Intermittent/difficult Intermittent/difficult to predict to predict
• Integration issuesIntegration issues• Transmission Transmission
constraintsconstraints• Increasingly difficult Increasingly difficult
to site projectsto site projects• Increasing Increasing
competition for wind competition for wind energyenergy
Can geothermal energy also be part of the solution?
Utility Industry Strategic Fit
Geothermal Power = Clean, renewable, emission-free energy
Meets Washington Renewable Portfolio Standard requirements
Baseload energy Significant potential
Geothermal Energy: The Baseload Renewable
Meet load growth, achieve I-937 goals, mitigate transmission & integration constraints by developing baseload geothermal energy locally.
Status of Geothermal Exploration in Washington
Historically low power prices.
Little oil/gas exploration.
Rainfall/moisture masks geothermal signatures.
Must Avoid National Parks and Wilderness areas.
Focus on wind.
Lack of Geothermal promotion/visibility?
Very little geothermal exploration…but the resource potential clearly exists.
Potential Washington Resources High enthalpy system indication
Mt. Baker Rainier St. Helens - Mt. Adams – Mt. Hood triangle
Indian Heaven KGRA/Skamania County Snohomish County Area
Glacier Peak Hot Springs Mineral Springs
Snohomish County
Snohomish County
Study Activities: 2007-08 Updated GIS database utilizing data from historical
BPA studies Existing data review
Temperature with depth maps Geochemistry Geology Fracture/fault mapping Seismic data Stress/tectonic regime Transmission lines Access/land availability
Gathered new geochemistry data from springs and wells Preliminary costs: exploration, wells, plant Potential exploration/development options
Next Steps: 2008-10
Develop and execute exploration plan
Time table and costs Determine if risk/cost of exploration well
drilling in our region is warranted Specific site identification Land/lease acquisition Permitting Well drilling plans, specifications, and
strategy Funding opportunities Exploration well drilling and evaluation EGS opportunities
Objective: 2015-20 & Beyond
Develop ~ 90 aMW of geothermal energy in/near Snohomish County
Engineered Geothermal System advancement and potential
