Company Starts N.M. Geothermal Plant Construction
Raser Technologies joined with New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson in announcing the beginning of the construction phase of the first commercial geothermal power project in the state, according to an Aug. 22 press release.
Raser Chair Kraig Higginson introduced Raser's geothermal power project at Lightning Dock near Animas, N.M., along with its unique geothermal development process.
"In the clean energy state of New Mexico, we are working hard to bring more renewable energy online," said Richardson. "Our state has already shown leadership in developing wind and solar energy resources. Now we are proud to be one of the first states to deploy new technology with Raser that will help unlock our geothermal resources for power production without damaging our environment."
The power plant will be one of the first in the country to use new low temperature geothermal power generation technology in a proprietary modular power plant design by Raser Technologies. The company teamed with UTC Power, a United Technologies Corp. company, to develop a rapid deployment strategy using its new PureCycle® power generation units. This rapid deployment strategy significantly accelerates the time-line for developing a geothermal power plant.
Lightning Dock was one of many geothermal wells drilled in New Mexico over 20 years ago during the last energy crisis, but it was not hot enough to generate electric power using the technology available at the time. Using new technology, this site can convert available heat into electric power at a very competitive market price. The first commercial geothermal power plant in New Mexico is anticipated to begin producing 10 megawatts (MW) of clean renewable energy by early next year. Phase two of the project will expand the plant to 20-25 MW of power, enough to power nearly 15,000 homes.