Description

Alternative sources of energy will have to be developed as the availability of traditional energy resources continues to diminish. Arizona is supplied with geothermal reserves which potentially could supplement the existing energy supplies. Consequently, planning efforts have concentrated on estimating the potential of geothermal energy utilization in Arizona and in providing information necessary for its prospective commercialization. Geothermal commercialization plans were prepared for seven distinct intrastate subdivisions. The geothermal resource prospect and the potential geothermal uses for each area are discussed in separate Area Development Plans (ADPs). The major objective of the ADP is to provide information for the prospective development and commercialization of geothermal energy for the specified areas. Attempts are made to match the available geothermal resources to potential residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural users. Maricopa County is the area of Arizona receiving top priority since it contains over half of the state's population. The county is located entirely within the Basin and Range physiographic region in which geothermal resources are known to occur. Several approaches were taken to match potential users to geothermal resources. One approach involved matching some of the largest facilities in the county to nearby geothermal resources. Other approaches involved identifying industrial processes whose heat requirements are less than the average assessed geothermal reservoir temperature of 110 degrees C (230 degrees F). Since many of the industries are located on or near geothermal resources, geothermal energy potentially could be adapted to many industrial processes. (59 pages)