Greenhouse Heating with Low Temperature Geothermal Resources in Lake County, California

Abstract

The County of Lake recently completed the first phase of a geothermally heated "agricultural park" located southeast of Kelseyville, California. This cooperative effort with the Mendocino Lake Community College District has been largely funded by the Californian Energy Commission and includes a 7000 square foot greenhouse, irrigation system, geothermal production and injection wells, transmission piping, heat exchangers, pumps and valves. The initial phase of development includes the College's program in greenhouse management, plant propagation and other vocational activities. The 500 foot deep geothermal production well yields 100 gallons per minute (GPM( of 153°F water. This volume is capable of supplying heat for about 20,000 - 40,000 square feet of greenhouses in addition to the College's existing facilities. A second production well is capable of producing 150 GPM of 145°F water which could heat another 40,000 - 50,000 square feet of greenhouse space. The second phase of development will include expanding the irrigation system, bringing the second geothermal well into production, reservoir analysis, and conducting an intensive marketing effort for the Agricultural Parks' facilities.