HomeMy WebLinkAboutGeothermal Assessment of the Yukon-Koyukuk Region (2)Geothermal Assessment of the Yukon-Koyukuk Region for
Power Generation and Direct Use Applications
The Alaska Center for Energy and Power will conduct a basic assessment of geothermal
energy options for communities in the Yukon Koyukuk School District. Communities in
the District include Alakaket, Hughes, Huslia, Kaltag, Koyukuk, Manley Hot Springs,
Minto, Nulato, and Ruby. The geothermal areas which overlap these communities
includes 22 known geothermal anomalies, as identified by hot or warm springs. These
are all moderate temperature geothermal resources centered within or near granitic
plutons and part of the Central Alaskan Hot Springs Belt, which stretches from the west
cost of Alaska into the Yukon Territory in Canada. Chena Hot Springs is the only hot
springs in this belt to be developed for power generation and direct use. The Alaska
Center for Energy and Power will assess the potential for installing a Chena-style
geothermal power plant on these resources to supply power to one or more of these
communities.
Figure 1. Geothermal Resources with the Yukon-Koyukuk Region
This assessment will include evaluating all existing documents and prior studies relating
to these geothermal resources as well completing an economic analysis for both power
generation and direct use (greenhouses and space heating) applications. The assessment
will also include a recommendation for next steps.
Figure 2. 400 kW Geothermal Power Plant at Chena Hot Springs
Figure 3. Geothermally heated greenhouse at Chena Hot Springs