Learning to live without diesel fuel...
Geothermal powers (Alaska) resort: New UTC plant uses low-temp water, saves small fortune by replacing diesel
By Sarah Hurst
For Petroleum News
Battling sub-zero temperatures is always a challenge for energy projects in Alaska, but now it’s also possible to tap into the natural heat source that lies beneath the ground and use it to produce electricity. Bernie Karl, the owner of Chena Hot Springs Resort, charmed and cajoled his way into winning Alaska’s first geothermal power plant, which was officially unveiled in the presence of U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens, Gov. Frank Murkowski and an army marching band Aug. 20.
The truck-sized plant, nicknamed the Chena Chiller, had already been running for almost two weeks before the celebratory event was held. “It’s purring like a kitten in a creamery,” Karl boasted to his guests. To be more precise it was emitting a continuous high-pitched whine, due to the turbine blade spinning at 15,000 rpm. Next to the power plant stood a few of the old steam engines Karl collects. “I want to show mean and steam versus lean and clean,” he explained.
UTC testing power plant
Karl acquired the geothermal power plant for his resort, 60 miles northeast of Fairbanks, by working with Connecticut-based UTC Power and government agencies. UTC wants to test its plants at various locations around the country before marketing them commercially. Chena is particularly unusual because the plant here has been adapted to run on water that comes out of the ground at a temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the lowest-temperature water being used in a geothermal plant anywhere in the world, according to UTC.
More: petroleumnews.com |
