Assessment of Geothermal Energy as a Power Source for U.S. Aluminum Reduction Plants

Abstract

The technical and economic feasibility of using geothermal resources as a primary power source for U.S. aluminum reduction plants was assessed. The principal objective was to explore the potential for providing geothermally generated electric power to existing smelters in the Pacific Northwest. Also evaluated were the possibilities of supplying existing smelters in the Gulf Coast area, as well as supplying new smelters located at or near a geothermal resource. While not conclusive, the study results strongly suggest that it is both technically and economically feasible to power an existing smelter in the Northwest using electricity generatated at Roosevelt Hot Springs, Utah. It was therefore concluded that detailed, site specific feasibility studies are justified and should be undertaken. Further, it was concluded that it would not generally be feasible to operate either existing Gulf Coast smelters or newly constructed smelters using geothermal electric power.