Nevada Releases Impressive Geothermal Energy Figures

In preparation for the GEA Geothermal Energy and Utilities, Co-ops and Public Power Workshop that is to be held this Thursday in Las Vegas, the state of Nevada has compiled a series of facts about the state's ongoing geothermal energy projects. According to current figures, the state of Nevada is one of the largest users and fasting growing adapters in the geothermal field. Multiple geothermal power plants currently operate within the state's borders, with 14 plants slated to be completed sometime this year and dozens of projects lined up within the coming decade. Nevada believes that should they continue to grow at such a rapid rate, the state could surpass others within the United States that currently lead the way in geothermal energy.

The figures released by the study indicate that Nevada's geothermal energy economy could eventually reach of the point of being valued at $22.5 billion in the next thirty years. Just last month, the Department of Energy awarded the Nevada Geothermal Energy Company $98.5 million as part of the Obama Administration's Recovery Act. Using the money, the company has been able work at boosting the power of one of their primary geothermal power plants, called Faulkner 1, which generates 49.5 megawatts of geothermal energy for the surrounding area. On top of that, Nevada Geothermal has also worked at continuing to develop their other 21 geothermal power plants that generate an impressive 484 megawatts of power each year.

Support for Nevada's geothermal energy industry has come from both federal and local government positions. Last year, a popular quote from Senator Henry Reid of Nevada, an ardent supporter of geothermal energy, seemed to describe the geothermal energy situation in Nevada best by calling the state the "Saudi Arabia of geothermal energy." As companies continue to locate and take advantage of the abundance of geothermal energy sites found throughout the state the Senator's quote seems that it will be truer as time goes on. Nevada Geothermal Power has also released figures that indicate that they believe Nevada can raise its geothermal energy output from 8% to as much as 20% in the next five years.

While so far the geothermal energy being produced is not necessarily capable of powering the entire state, all current projects combined may soon be able to generate enough electricity to power all of Las Vegas' metropolitan area. Considering the size and power needed to run a city like Las Vegas, being able to generate that much geothermal power speaks volumes for the geothermal capacity the state will soon be able to generate.

The GEA Geothermal Energy and Utilities, Co-ops and Public Power Workshop that spurred on the collection of data about Nevada's geothermal industry is being held as a one day event in Las Vegas this Thursday. The organizers hope to raise awareness about the current geothermal industry throughout the United States and the world while discussing current projects that are being developed in the state and the rest of the country. Hopefully, raising awareness about geothermal power will bring more attention to a renewable energy source that seems to be neglected while wind and solar power enjoy the limelight.