U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable EnergyGeothermal Technologies Program – GeoPowering the WestNevada State ProfileBackgroundAbundant geothermal resources are present throughout most of Nevada, and the state is second in the nation only to California in the generation of electricity from geothermal energy. High-temperature (>150°C) geothermal resources suitable for electric power production are concentrated in the northwestern portion of the state and currently there are 15 geothermal power plants in operation there. Moderate- to low-temperature geothermal resources appropriate for applications in which energy is transferred directly from geothermal waters for heating purposes are widespread throughout Nevada. A variety of such direct-use applications are operating in Nevada, including district-wide space-heating and agricultural processing. Nevada's geothermal resources also provide recreational benefits in the form of hot springs resorts, with numerous therapeutic spas and swimming facilities attracting many visitors. 
Source: Additional map formats available from Idaho National Laboratory. If you have difficulty accessing the content of this map, please contact the Webmaster. Current DevelopmentNevada ranks number two in the nation, behind California, in capacity for electric power production with an installed capacity of 264 MWe (megawatts of electrical power).1 A 20 MWe capacity geothermal power plant was commissioned at Steamboat in November 2005. It is the first geothermal power plant to be constructed in Nevada in response to state Renewable Portfolio Standard legislation requiring that a portion of electricity used in the state be generated from renewable energy sources. Nevada is a national leader in implementing direct-use applications of geothermal energy, with an installed capacity of 64 MWt (megawatts of thermal power) at more than 25 sites. Heat is transferred directly from thermal waters for applications such as agricultural drying, space heating, and aquaculture (fish farming). Thermal waters are also commonly used in their natural state for therapeutic bathing and spas. Proposed Development
Geothermal resources in Nevada are associated with the Great Basin portion of the Basin and Range geological province, an area rich in hydrothermal activity. Nevada is currently among the leading states in the nation for the development of geothermal resources varying in temperature from high (>150°C) to low (<100°C), although a vast amount of the state's geothermal energy potential remains untapped. Geothermal resources of moderate-to-low temperatures are becoming increasingly viable sources for electricity generation due to innovations in geothermal power plant technologies. Nevada and the surrounding region have the potential to become one of the most productive resource areas for geothermal energy utilization. Estimates of the resource base for electric power production within Nevada range from 2600 to 3700 MWe, depending on varying development scenarios.2 Opportunities are also substantial for expanding the direct use of thermal energy from geothermal resources that are not adequate for power production, with a potential thermal resource base projected at 2386 MWt.3 Field investigations are ongoing to further characterize Nevada's geothermal resources and identify areas appropriate for development. Plans for the continued development of geothermal resources in Nevada include power generation in the Pumpernickel Valley, Stillwater, and Salt Wells areas, and within Washoe, Churchill, Humboldt, and Elko counties. Power purchase contracts have already been established with local utilities for proposed power plant construction at some locations. Direct-use projects, particularly space heating for industrial and commercial facilities, are also in progress throughout the state. The University of Nevada at Reno is developing a project to make its Redfield campus, located near the Steamboat Springs resource area, the first college campus in the world to be powered and heated entirely with geothermal energy. Economic BenefitsGeothermal energy development has benefited Nevada through revenue derived from federal geothermal lease rental fees and production royalties. Nevada is able to export electricity generated at its geothermal power plants to consumers in neighboring states through green power purchase programs. Furthermore, employment opportunities are created through geothermal energy research, plant construction, and operation associated with resource development. Technical CapabilitiesNevada universities, state agencies, and private firms contribute technical capabilities to the local and national geothermal communities. The Great Basin Center for Geothermal Energy, part of the University of Nevada at Reno (UNR), conducts geologic research and has produced a database of Nevada's geothermal resources to accelerate projects in the Great Basin region. Additionally, the UNR Redfield branch campus will feature a Renewable Energy Center for research and education in renewable energy systems. IncentivesNevada has implemented a renewable energy portfolio, calling for a minimum of 20 percent of electricity sold by investor-owned utilities in the state to be derived from renewable sources, including geothermal, by the year 2015. Energy savings from qualifying efficiency enhancements are applicable towards the renewable energy portfolio standard for these utilities. Nevada also has several green power programs allowing consumers in Nevada and neighboring states to purchase electricity generated from geothermal and other renewable energy sources. Additionally, with the passage into law of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the national Production Tax Credit (PTC) was extended to include geothermal facilities in operation by January 1, 2008. The PTC is an incentive of 1.5¢ per kWh for electricity produced from renewable sources during the first ten years of a new facility's operation. State Working GroupsGeothermal State Working Groups are networks of individuals typically including geothermal developers, utility representatives, local officials and policymakers, and other energy stakeholders within a given state or region. They are sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy's GeoPowering the West Initiative and often work in conjunction with the State Energy Office of the group's respective state to accomplish networking conferences, analyze regulatory issues, and assess the progress of local geothermal projects. Nevada has established a Geothermal State Working Group with leadership from the Nevada Division of Minerals-Oil, Gas and Geothermal Program. The Nevada group brings together state and regional energy professionals to promote the increased utilization of the state's geothermal resources. Upcoming meetings and activities will be included below in the "Calendar of Events" portion of this webpage. List of ProjectsGeothermal projects operating in Nevada include the following:
Details regarding the location and geothermal energy capacity of each project can be found at the Nevada State Geothermal Projects website, http://geoheat.oit.edu/state/nv/nv.htm, developed by the Oregon Institute of Technology's Geo-Heat Center. State ContactsGeoPowering the West — State Working Group Nevada Energy Office Bureau of Land Management Department of Geoscience Desert Research Institute Geothermal Rail Industrial Development Great Basin for Geothermal Energy Harry Reid Center for Environmental Studies Mackay School of Mines Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology Nevada Department of Agriculture Public Utilities Commission of Nevada Renewable Energy & Energy Conservation Task Force National DOE ContactsU.S. Department of Energy U.S. Department of Energy 1Generation capacity data from the Nevada Division of Minerals |
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