HomeMy WebLinkAboutNome Pilgrim Hot Springs Geothermal Resource Exploration 2010-2012 - UAF - Alaska Center for Energy and Power - REF Grant 7030037Pilgrim Hot Springs Geothermal Resource Exploration Pilgrim Hot Springs Geothermal Resource Exploration Project Participants include: ACEP, Geophysical Institute, INE, Unaatuq, MINC, BSNC and USGS Funded by the Department of Energy and the Alaska Energy Authority Testing an innovative remote sensing exploration technique designed to reduce exploration costs
Cosmos, August 2008Desired Outcomes for Project:•Develop an inexpensive exploration technique that can be applied to other low temperature systems in Alaska•Make a determination whether the site will be economic to develop, either for power delivery to Nome or other local beneficial use
Geothermal Resources QualityGeneration capacity per unit cost depends on several geologic and economic factors:¾ Temperature (hotter is better)¾ Flow rate(higher flow rates are better)¾ Reservoir Framework(uniform porosity better than fractures)¾ Recharge(partially natural better than all artificial)¾ Depth(shallower is less expensive, thus better)¾ Location, location,…(relative to population, transmissionsystem, development costs, etc.)
Pilgrim Hot Springs
PilgrimTemperature profiles from original drilling program
Cosmos, August 2008Things we have learned since 1979:•Power can be generated economically for resources as low as 165⁰F•Distance fluid can travel underground between upflow zone and surface expression• Cost of energy increasing (again)•Preliminary feasibility assessment of Nome energy options (2007, AEA, NETL), suggests geothermal is an economically viable option
Cosmos, August 2008Work grows out of prior research in mapping high temperature surface and subsurface coal fires
Thermal Infrared Mapping and Analysis (Anupma Prakash, Geophysical Institute)
Cosmos, August 2008
Cosmos, August 2008June 4th, 2001ASTER (Satellite) Data from Region
Cosmos, August 2008
Cosmos, August 2008 Work Plan and Timeline Repair existing wellheads (summer 2010)
90 120 150 180 210 240 270300T oCNa-K-1/3CaNa/K FournierMixing ModelChemical Analysis –geothermometers agree!
Cosmos, August 2008Work Plan and TimelineGeoprobe drilling program (summer 2011) •16 total•Approx. 80 ft deep
Cosmos, August 2008 Pilgrim HS Static Temp Logs
Cosmos, August 2008Work Plan and TimelineGradient hole drilling program (summer 2011) •2 holes•Approx. 500 ft depth•Christensen CS1000 P6 Core Drill
Cosmos, August 2008 Pilgrim HS Static Temp Logs
Cosmos, August 2008 PS-4 Static Temp Logs
Cosmos, August 2008Pilgrim HS Static Temp Logs
Cosmos, August 2008Work Plan and TimelineResistivity Survey (fall 2011)
Cosmos, August 2008Work Plan and TimelineAirborne Geophysical Survey (fall 2011)
Cosmos, August 2008Work Plan and TimelineConceptual modeling (winter 2011-12)
•2 holes•Approx. 2500 ft depth•Confirm resource and exploration techniquesCosmos, August 2008Work Plan and TimelineConfirmation hole drilling program (2012)
Cosmos, August 2008Reservoir ModelingMake predictions related to long-term development of the resource (winter 2012-13)
•Plan a comprehensive economic and financial analysis of a variety of project options based on expected developable potential of the resource•Expected potential for power generation is approximately 5 MW•Initial economic assessment completed by Hattenburg, Dilley and Linnell in 2007Cosmos, August 2008Work Plan and TimelineEconomic Analysis
•In 2007, the Nome Joint Utilities alone spent ~$7,500,000 for diesel fuel. •Typical installed cost for geothermal: $5000/kW ($25 M for 5 MW power plant) •Transmission costs $20-$45 M (rough estimate by HDL)Cosmos, August 2008Work Plan and TimelineEconomic Analysis
Gwen Holdmann Organizational Director Alaska Center for Energy & Power University of Alaska Tel: (907) 474-5402 E-mail: Gwen.Holdmann@uaf.edu For more information contact: www.uaf.edu/acep