I'd be interested to see some clarification on capacity factors and whether the power numbers given here (33MW turbines, 50MW turbines, etc.) represent peak values or annual average values. I was assuming peak, until I saw the comparison to Utah's total power generation, which is just under 4GW *average*. So if Fervo's 400MW is going to be more than 10% of the Utah total, the 400MW would have to be an annual average, right? Is that really what we can expect by 2028?
Part of my confusion comes from the capacities Fervo has reported to EIA (https://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.php?t=table_6_05): each of the three planned generating units having a nameplate capacity of 53MW but a summer capacity of only 28MW. If the differences can be that large, I'm not sure how to interpret the numbers given in this interview.
Wells are drilled into the earth to tap reservoirs of hot water and steam
The hot water and steam are brought to the surface
The hot water and steam can be used to generate electricity or provide direct heat to buildings
When geothermal water is used to generate electricity, the cooled water after extracting heat is typically "returned down to Earth" through an injection well, essentially pumping it back into the underground reservoir to be reheated and used again in a sustainable cycle; this helps maintain pressure and replenish the reservoir.
You can learn more about geothermal energy from the U.S. Department of Energy.
NOTE: DOE and EPA might cease to exist or be neutered to the point of feckless.
Thanks for providing all these numbers!
I'd be interested to see some clarification on capacity factors and whether the power numbers given here (33MW turbines, 50MW turbines, etc.) represent peak values or annual average values. I was assuming peak, until I saw the comparison to Utah's total power generation, which is just under 4GW *average*. So if Fervo's 400MW is going to be more than 10% of the Utah total, the 400MW would have to be an annual average, right? Is that really what we can expect by 2028?
Part of my confusion comes from the capacities Fervo has reported to EIA (https://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.php?t=table_6_05): each of the three planned generating units having a nameplate capacity of 53MW but a summer capacity of only 28MW. If the differences can be that large, I'm not sure how to interpret the numbers given in this interview.
Perhaps of interest to some:
How does geothermal energy work?
Wells are drilled into the earth to tap reservoirs of hot water and steam
The hot water and steam are brought to the surface
The hot water and steam can be used to generate electricity or provide direct heat to buildings
When geothermal water is used to generate electricity, the cooled water after extracting heat is typically "returned down to Earth" through an injection well, essentially pumping it back into the underground reservoir to be reheated and used again in a sustainable cycle; this helps maintain pressure and replenish the reservoir.
You can learn more about geothermal energy from the U.S. Department of Energy.
NOTE: DOE and EPA might cease to exist or be neutered to the point of feckless.