[ECO]Learning about Geothermal Energy at the Source

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Learning about geothermal energy at the source

This spring, I had the opportunity to visit the Coso Geothermal Plant in Inyo County, California. Although we were unable to enter the plant due to security clearance requirements, we had the privilege of meeting with one of its managers. He provided us with detailed and fascinating information about geothermal energy and the plant’s operations.

Having extensively read and written about clean and renewable energy, it was exciting to witness firsthand the geothermal energy production process. I was surprised to learn this energy is harnessed from a dormant volcanic field in California.

Nearly all of California’s geothermal electric power generation occurs in regions where

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eruptions took place tens of thousands of years ago. The

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largest geothermal electric power producer is located at the southwest margin of the Clear Lake Volcanic Field. In Southern California, the Imperial Valley Geothermal Area boasts eleven active power plants along the southeastern shore of the Salton Sea. Additionally, the Casa Diablo geothermal power plant is situated on the southwest side of the resurgent dome in the Long Valley Caldera.

California’s active volcanoes collectively support the largest geothermal electric generation capacity in the ******* States. As of 2020, 40 operational geothermal power plants were in the state, contributing approximately 6% of California’s in-state electric generation.

The Coso Volcanic Field, located in the eastern Sierra Nevada region of California, is a significant geothermal resource with a fascinating geological history. This volcanic field, which spans an area of approximately 150 square miles, is characterized by its numerous lava domes, rhyolite lava flows, and basaltic cinder cones, all indicative of its volcanic past. While the last major eruptive activity in the Coso Volcanic Field occurred around 40,000 years ago, its geothermal activity continues to be of great interest and importance today.

The Coso Volcanic Field is situated within the Basin and Range Province, a region known for its tectonic activity and geothermal potential. The field’s volcanic activity is driven by the area’s extensional tectonics, where the Earth’s crust is being pulled apart, creating fractures and allowing magma to ascend. This geological setting provides the heat necessary to maintain high subsurface temperatures, which are essential for geothermal energy production.

One of the most significant impacts of the Coso Volcanic Field is its contribution to geothermal energy. The high heat flow and permeability of the rocks in this area make it an ideal location for geothermal energy extraction. The

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, one of the largest and most productive geothermal power plants in the ******* States, capitalizes on this potential. It generates approximately 270 megawatts of electricity to power hundreds of thousands of homes. The plants were constructed from 1987 to 1989 and currently use about 105 production wells to capture underground steam that steam turbines then transform into electricity. 

This plant is considered green energy because it captures all of the sulfur. It emits 20% of the CO2 compared to a gas turbine and 5% of CO2 compared to coal burning. Initially, the plant was taking the CO2 and putting it back into the ground, but unfortunately, it was backing up the entire process.

Looking ahead, the Coso Volcanic Field’s geothermal resources have the potential to play a crucial role in meeting California’s renewable energy goals. The demand for geothermal energy is high across the US, but unfortunately, because the country continues to import oil and gas, it is hard to make the transition to using only renewable energy.  

Hopefully, as more people become aware of geothermal energy as a sustainable option, the demand for oil and gas will be phased out. It is fascinating to see and learn about where this energy is coming from and how we can utilize natural processes to create renewable energy.

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