1) Name and location of potential project:
Chena Hot Springs; Fairbanks, Alaska
2) Type of project:
binary units
3) Status of project:
Chena Hot Springs and the Department of Energy jointly funded
a $1.8 million exploration project designed to locate and characterize
the geothermal resource underlying Chena Hot Springs. The resources
were tested by drilling a 4000ft slim hole, sited to intersect
the geothermal reservoir. Partners in this project include the
University of Alaska, Southern Methodist University, SAIC, Zonge
Engineering, and Fugro Surveys. Exploration has proven successful.
As a result, Chena has entered into a partnership with United
Technologies to demonstrate their moderate temperature geothermal
power plant technology. The plant is set to be installed in
2006 and will supply 20 megawatts of electricity into Alaska's
Railbelt grid.
4) Contact Information:
Bernie Karl
Owner, Chena Hot Springs
907-451-8104
5) Land status:
Private Land
6) Approximate date of completion or operation if known:
By the end of 2006, both the small units at the facility and
the larger power plant are set to come online.
7) Estimated capacity (MW):
An additional 630kw of electric power.
8) Other information of interest:
Chena Hot Springs uses geothermal energy for direct use purposes
as well, including cooling a year-round ice structure, the first
of its kind in the world. Additionally, Chena uses direct use
geothermal for greenhouses and to power its facility. The resort
received grant funding from both the Alaska Industrial Development
and Export Authority and the U.S. Department of Energy for the
direct use project that will supply 2 binary units, 200kw each,
that are needed to power for the resort. These are induction
units, fed by a 3-MWh lead acid battery bank. Chena will be
receiving an additional binary unit to produce 230kw-net on-site.
The cost of power production from the 20 MW plant, even in
semi-remote locations such as Chena, will be reduced from 30¢
to only 5¢ per kWhr once the plant is installed. The plant
could cost as little as $1000/kw, rather than the greater than
$2500/kW current average plant cost.
9) Submitted Date:
March 2006
10) Confirmed by:
Bernie Karl and his company website
Visit Chena on the web at http://www.chenahotsprings.com/
for more information.
