Monday, October 18, 2010

US geothermal energy statistics

US is global geothermal energy leader with an installed geothermal capacity of 3,086 megawatts (MW) in 2010.

Geothermal energy is the fourth most important renewable energy source in the United States (behind hydropower, biomass and wind power) accounting for around 4% of renewable energy-based electricity consumption in the U.S.

United States generates around 15 billion kilowatt hours of geothermal power per year, which makes around 30% of the world's total.

US currently has 77 geothermal power plant, most of which are located in California (43).

California is the leading US state in installed geothermal power capacity with a total output bigger than 2500 MW.

The most active geothermal energy area in United States is the Geysers, California. The Geysers is large geothermal facility consisting of 22 geothermal power plants (dry steam), with total capacity bigger than 1500 MW.

An average geothermal power plant in United States emits around 122 kg of CO2 per megawatt-hour of electricity.

Average geothermal power plant in United States needs approximately 20 litres of freshwater per MWh, and 3.5 square kilometres per gigawatt of electrical production.

Operational and maintenance costs of geothermal power plants in United States are $0.01 - $0.03 per kWh.

Geothermal power plants in United States have installation costs of around $2500 per installed kW.

More than 90 percent of US geothermal resources are found on federal lands.

Top three geothermal energy producers in United States are California, Nevada and Utah.

US installs more than 50,000 geothermal heat pumps each year.

Geothermal energy currently satisfies around 20% of Hawaii's power demand.

US geothermal energy sector has experienced growth of 26% in 2009.

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