| ANAHEIM, CA - (February 6, 2009) - Anaheim Public Utilities has teamed with Raser Technologies to be the first city in the world to use a new source of renewable energy – geothermal power, which uses low to medium temperature heat found thousands of feet below the surface of our earth.
What makes this type of geothermal power most unique is that it utilizes low to medium temperature heat (220 degrees) that is more widely available. Traditional geothermal power is created from much hotter sources of heat (450 degrees), which is harder to find and less available. And, unlike wind and solar, this type of renewable energy is consistent since it has the ability to be produced around the clock - 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Starting in mid February, Anaheim plans to receive 11 megawatts of this clean renewable energy, which is enough electricity to supply approximately 10,000 homes in Anaheim. “Geothermal energy best meets the needs of the Utility”, said Marcie Edwards, General Manager of Anaheim Public Utilities. “It’s cost effective, reliable, abundant, and very importantly, produces zero emissions. It’s a win-win all around”. The first of its kind, geothermal power plant is located in the south central desert of Utah. The technology at the plant consists of a closed-loop system that allows the electricity to be generated using steam from the low to medium heat and mixed with a special fluid. Once the special fluid reaches a specific boiling point and flashes to steam it is then channeled through a turbine to generate the power. This project will help demonstrate how to unlock this nation’s vast reserves of low and medium temperature geothermal energy. It serves as another testament to how public and private partnerships can be an effective means of bringing innovative technology and resources together. In this case, Raser had the technology and Anaheim had the hundreds of miles of existing transmission lines to make it possible for the energy to be delivered to our community. As California continues to introduce more legislation imposing greater limitations on traditional sources of power, Anaheim is proactively on its way to meet its renewable energy goal of 20% by year 2015. To learn more about this project or to view a recent story by CNN, visit www.anaheim.net, then go to Public Utilities and click on “geothermal”. For more information please contact Margie Otto, (714) 765-4497 or motto@anaheim.net. Media Contact: Ruth Ruiz 714.765.5060 more city news
### ABOUT ANAHEIM - The City of Anaheim, founded in 1857, is one of the nation's premier municipalities and is California's 10th most populous city. Anaheim covers 50 square miles with more than 345,500 residents and more than 3,200 City employees. The municipal corporation's annual budget is $1.4 billion. Anaheim supports a thriving business community with companies such as Carl Karcher Enterprises, Inc., L-3 Communications, Pacific Sunwear, and Disneyland Resort. Successful sports franchises call Anaheim home, including Angels Baseball, Anaheim Ducks, the 2008 Olympic Gold Medal winning U.S. Men's National Volleyball Team, and the 2008 Olympic Silver Medal winning U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team. Anaheim also boasts world-class meeting and entertainment venues with the Anaheim Convention Center, the largest on the west coast, Honda Center, The Grove of Anaheim, The Shops at Anaheim GardenWalk, and Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Annually, Anaheim welcomes millions of visitors to the city, truly making it where the world comes to live, work and play. For more information, please visit www.anaheim.net. |