We performed complete design-build services for the replacement plant.

U.S. Geothermal Inc.’s San Emidio Geothermal Plant project was constructed in two stages. Phase 1 consisted of relocating and replacing an existing power plant. No drilling was required because the new plant uses the production and injection wells previously used by the original power plant. The new 11.8 megawatt (MW) plant has a net electrical output of between 9.1 and 8.1 MW, depending on seasonal and other variations, representing a significant increase in energy generation.

The environmentally friendly power cycle produces zero emissions.

The heart of the geothermal system uses a closed-loop turbo-expander that separates the geothermal fluid used to vaporize the working fluid that drives the turbine/generator, resulting in an environmentally friendly power cycle. The geothermal fluid, called brine, is pumped from a naturally occurring underground source, then used to heat and expand the working fluid, and reinjected once the heat is harvested. The expansion of the working fluid turns the turbine/generator set and produces clean, renewable power. The facility uses a clean, renewable source of naturally occurring high-temperature water to generate power with zero emissions.

Our full project-delivery package allowed U.S. Geothermal to move the project forward.

Benham, a Haskell Company, was in a unique position to provide U.S. Geothermal Inc. with a single point of contact for the design, construction, technical and financial resources required to deliver the project. Benham’s ability to offer the project delivery package was instrumental in advancing the customer’s project.