RENEWABLE ENERGY

Geothermal

Within Elko County, there are several established geothermal sources and many additional resources with high potential for development, according to the Geothermal Resource Assessment conducted by Converse Consultants of Elko. Resources within Elko County include both surface water and ground water sources. Developed resources are utilized in the cities of Elko and Wells, and additional resources have been identified in Carlin, Jackpot, Ruby Valley and Tuscarora.

The Elko area has a long history of geothermal water use and development, beginning with Native American and emigrant travelers’ use of water at the “Hot Hole” in southwestern Elko. Two active geothermal systems are in place in Elko – one private and one public. The Elko County School District and the Elko Heat Company operate geothermal district heating systems that provide hot water to municipal, residential and commercial establishments. The Elko Heat Company, one of Nevada's largest geothermal district heating systems, has provided service to Elko since 1982. In addition to space-heating and winter snow-melting applications, a laundry service directly uses the 175-degree water. Elko Heat Co. reports it is at 50 percent capacity, and would be able to readily expand its geothermal service to additional customers in the downtown and light-industrial areas west of Elko.

According to Converse Consultant’s Elko office, several geothermal wells have been drilled in the Elko area. The Elko Heat Company well reports a flow of 500 gallons per minute with a temperature of 175º F. Geothermal waters in the Wells area are reported at 200 to 230º F. The Carlin area reports a reservoir size of 0.79 cubic miles, with hot spring temperatures near boiling (212° F).

Elko County Receives High Marks
For Renewable Energy Potential

With national interest turning toward renewable energy alternatives, what opportunities are available for Elko County? A recent study may have the answers.

Colorado College’s 2008 State of the Rockies Report included a Grading the Rockies section that examined the potential to develop wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass resources available in each of the 281 Rockies Counties. Nevada’s counties were included in the study.

So, why are renewable energy companies mainly focused on the western and southern portions of our state? The grades provided in the study only considered renewable potential, it did not account for the necessary infrastructure to store and deliver each county’s collective renewable energy. The analysis highlights which counties, when supplemented with the necessary labor and infrastructure, are best poised to take advantage of a renewable energy boom. In the future, new infrastructure, such as new transmission lines, will increase interest in rural Nevada locations, especially in sunshine and geothermal rich Elko County.

Elko County Economic Diversification Authority is partially funded by
a grant from Nevada Commission on Economic Development.

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723 Railroad Street ~ Elko, NV 89801
Phone: (775) 738-2100 ~ Toll Free: 1-866-937-3556 ~ Fax: (775) 738-7978

Executive Director: Pam Borda
E-Mail: pam@eceda.com

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