PROJECT SUMMARY
In February 2011, the Department of Energy issued a $97 million loan guarantee to finance USG Oregon, a 22-MW geothermal power plant, located at the Neal Hot Springs in eastern Oregon. USG Oregon started commercial operations in November 2012.
TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION
USG Oregon uses a more efficient method of extracting thermal energy from subterranean hot water, potentially allowing development of geothermal power from lower temperature wells that were previously considered uneconomical. Its “supercritical binary geothermal cycle” technology was developed and manufactured in the U.S. As opposed to older geothermal power generators, USG Oregon utilizes geothermal generators supplied by Turbine Air Systems (TAS) that feature a more environmentally friendly R-134a refrigerant as the working fluid. In geothermal power plants using older technology, the geothermal well has to provide higher-temperature heat to generate the steam that turns turbines and generates electricity.
ECONOMIC IMPACT
USG Oregon created 150 construction jobs and is expected to support 10 permanent jobs.
CLIMATE BENEFIT
USG Oregon is expected to generate 149,000 megawatt-hours of clean energy per year. It is expected to prevent 86,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.
PROJECT SUMMARY | Owners | OGP Holdings Corp. & Enbridge (U.S.) Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Malheur County, Oregon | |
| FINANCIAL SUMMARY | Loan Program | Title XVII |
| Loan Type | Loan Guarantee | |
| Loan Amount 1 | $97 Million | |
| Issuance Date | February 2011 | |
| ENERGY SUMMARY | Operation Status | Operating |
| Generation Capacity | 22 MW | |
| Projected Annual Generation 2 | 149,000 MWh | |
| ECONOMIC IMPACT | Permanent U.S. Jobs Supported | 10 |
| U.S. Construction Jobs Supported 3 | 150 | |
| CLIMATE BENEFIT | CO2 Emissions Prevented Annually | 86,000 Metric Tons |
| NOTES | All information up-to-date as of November 2018. 1 Approximate amount of the loan facility approved at closing including principal and any capitalized interest. 2 Calculated using the project's and NREL Technology specific capacity factors. For cases in which NREL's capacity factors do not encompass project's specific design and operation, project specific capacity factors are used. 3 Estimated at the time of closing. | |
PROJECT PHOTOS
