Non-electric applications of geothermal energy in six Alaskan towns. Final report, October 1976--November 1977. [Barrow, Huslia, Kiana, Nikolski, Nome, and Wrangell]

• Main Authors: Farquhar, J., Grijalva, R., Kirkwood, P.
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: Pacific Sierra Research Corp., Santa Monica, CA (USA) 1977
• Subjects: Geothermal Exploration; Buildings; Geothermal Energy; Oil Wells; Geology; Socio-Economic Factors; Geothermal Legacy; Cost Benefit Analysis; Drilling; 15 Geothermal Energy; Comparative Evaluations; Space Heating; District Heating; Heating; Geothermal Heating Systems; Geothermal Space Heating; 150500 > Geothermal Energy > Economics; Industrial; & Business Aspects; Well Drilling; Alaska; Economic Development; Legal Aspects; Exploration; Heating Systems; Geothermal Heating; Flowsheets; Renewable Energy Sources; Energy Source Development; Energy; Cost; Design; Agriculture; Geothermal Gradients; Wells Geothermal Legacy 151000* > Geothermal Energy > Direct Energy Utilization; Tables; Usa; Energy Sources; Information; Geothermal Wells; Temperature Gradients; Maps; North America; Geothermal District Heating; Pacific Northwest Region; Remote Areas; Urban Areas; Diagrams; Huslia; Pacific; Barrow; Nome
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.2172/6742773; https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1200363/

The potential for direct (non-electric) utilization of local-gradient geothermal energy in six Alaskan towns is summarized. A major objective of this study was to stimulate development and use of the geothermal resource provided by the earth's average thermal gradient, as opposed to the few anomalies that are typically chosen for geothermal development. Hence, six towns for study were selected as being representative of remote Alaskan conditions, rather than for their proximity to known geothermal resources. The moderate-temperature heat available almost everywhere at depths of two to four kilometers into the earth's mantle could satisfy a major portion of the nation's heating requirements--but the cost must be reduced. It is concluded that a geothermal demonstration in Nome would probably be successful and would promote this objective.