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Salton Sea Power Gen Co - Unit 447.5 MW Geothermal

GeothermalRenewable

Salton Sea Power Gen Co - Unit 4 is a 47.5 MW geothermal power plant in the United States, operated by CalEnergy Operating Corporation since 1996. Ranked #23 of 65 geothermal plants in the United States, it contributes 1.22% to the total geothermal capacity of 3,889 MW. The largest geothermal plant in the United States is Geysers Unit 5-20 at 1,163 MW, making this facility 24.5 times smaller. Nearby plants include El Centro Hybrid (388.3 MW, Gas), Ocotillo Express LLC (265.4 MW, Wind), and Solar Gen 2 Solar Facility (163.2 MW, Solar). The facility is located in California's Imperial County, approximately 50 km north of the city of El Centro.

Capacity
47.5 MW
Commissioning Year
1996

30 years old

Owner
CalEnergy Operating Corporation
Location
33.1570°, -115.6386°

United States of America, North America

Location
Coordinates:: 33.157000, -115.638600
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Technical Details
Primary Fuel Type
Geothermal
Energy Source
Renewable
Country
United States of America
Continent
North America
Data Source
Global Power Plant Database
United States of AmericaEnergy Profile
10,047
Total Plants
1386.4 GW
Total Capacity
GasCoalNuclearHydro
Top Fuels
Understanding Geothermal Power Generation: An Overview

Geothermal power generation harnesses the Earth's internal heat to produce electricity. This renewable energy source exploits the thermal energy stored beneath the Earth's crust, which can be accessed through geothermal power plants. These plants typically utilize steam or hot water from geothermal reservoirs to drive turbines that generate electricity. The process begins by drilling wells into geothermal reservoirs, often located in tectonically active regions, where the temperature gradient is favorable for energy extraction. The steam or hot water extracted is then channeled to turbines, converting thermal energy into mechanical energy, which is subsequently transformed into electrical energy by generators.

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