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Elko County School District System
Elko, Nevada
Location: Elko County, Nevada
Owner: Elko County School District
Temperature: 190°F (88°C)
Startup date: 1986
Developer: Elko County School District and the former Elko General Hospital
Cost: $1,500,000
Elko County, Nevada, has a long history of geothermal water use and development. The county has drilled several geothermal wells and constructed two district heating systems. One is the privately-owned system operated by the Elko Heat Company and the other is public-owned Elko County School District system.
In 1985 the school district planned to drill a well to tap low-temperature geothermal resources that could be used for the junior high school. When the well encountered significant flows of 190°F geothermal water, a decision was made to construct a district heating system to serve all of the school district facilities in Elko plus additional public buildings.
The well provides heat to serve 16 public buildings through 11 interconnections. The total building area is 348,680 ft of which over 300,000 ft2 is heated by geothermal. Estimated peak geothermal flow is 309 gallons-per-minute (gpm) with a peak heating load of 10.7 MBtu/hr (3.4 MW). While the well and distribution system are owned by the School District, the system is operated by a Users Group through an "Interlocal Agreement" with the District acting as the fiscal agent.
The geothermal fluid from the well is transferred to a secondary circulating loop at the junior high school via a plate and frame heat exchanger for space heating. Discharge from the system is 110-140°F and goes to holding ponds and eventually to the Humboldt River. Disposal of the fluid, which will increase the temperature in the river, has become a major issue. The District is considering several alternatives to address the disposal issue as well as the limitation of geothermal flow.
The system was dedicated in October 1986 with original financing of $1.5 Million. The U.S. Department of Energy provided a grant of $250,000 and the balance was paid for by the participants. Operation cost is covered by an annual $5,000 assessment to each of the four entities that receive service from the system. Individual entities must cover any costs that may be required related to their equipment operation, maintenance, repair or replacement. The system saves the users over $250,000 per year in energy costs.
Recently, a new building at Great Basin College has been added to the system. Due to low flow, boilers must be used during the colder parts of the heating season. The Users Group is looking at modifications or additions to the delivery system to allow further buildings at the College to be added.
References and Additional Information:
“Elko County School District Heating Systems Elko, Nevada – A Case Study –“
