FAQs
How does Bottle Rock produce electricity?
Bottle Rock Power is a dry steam geothermal generation facility. A "dry" steam reservoir produces steam with a very low liquid content. Bottle Rock drills wells approximately two miles deep in order to tap into the geothermal reservoir. The steam is the piped from the reservoir and into our power plant, where it powers a turbine that drives a generator to produce electricity. After the energy has been extracted from the steam it is condensed and injected back into the earth.
What are the advantages of geothermal energy?
Geothermal energy is clean energy - our plant is powered by energy from the earth, not by fossil fuel. On average, geothermal power plants release less than 1 percent of the carbon dioxide emissions of a fossil fuel plant. Geothermal energy uses no combustion and produces very little waste. Geothermal energy is considered a renewable resource because the heat from the earth is virtually limitless and can be "renewed" with proper reservoir management. And unlike wind and solar power, geothermal is a baseload source of energy that is available 24 hours a day.
What are the economic benefits of geothermal energy?
Geothermal energy projects create permanent jobs for local citizens which are required to operate and maintain the power plant and steam field. Many more jobs are created during the construction phases of the project and while drilling efforts are underway. In addition to job creation for local residents, geothermal power plants increase the local tax base through the payment of property taxes. The acquisition of Federal geothermal leases (of which Bottle Rock is a leaseholder) results in 25% of the upfront acquisition cost going to the County in which the lease is located.
How many local people work at Bottle Rock?
More than 80 local area residents are employed at Bottle Rock as full-time employees or contractors, making the plant an important part of the Lake County economic base.
Who buys the electricity that Bottle Rock produces?
Bottle Rock currently operates under a long-term power purchase agreement with Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) and helps PG&E meet it requirements for renewable energy generation under the State's Renewable Portfolio Standard.
Does Bottle Rock have plans to increase its energy production?
Yes. Bottle Rock is currently developing a plan to increase its electrical output by drilling additional production wells on the geothermal leases that it controls. As with all operations at Bottle Rock, the appropriate regulatory agencies will be involved throughout the expansion effort and compliance with safety and environmental regulations will be strictly enforced.
Where can I find more information about geothermal energy?
U.S. Department of Energy
Geysers Geothermal Association
Geothermal Energy Association
Geothermal Resources Council
Geothermal Education Office