POTENTIAL GEOTHERMAL POWER PRODUCTION IN THE RIO GRANDE RIFT: TULAROSA BASIN

The University of North Dakota Geothermal Laboratory Student team evaluated the geothermal power production of the Tularosa basin in the Rio Grande Rift and found it viable for Binary Power plant production, Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS), and Flash plant power production. We determined this by examining existing literature, collecting data from available sources, and analyzing data with ArcGIS. We determined the key factors to be local physiography, geology of the area, tectonics and structure, water resources, infrastructure, and existing geothermal usage.

Heat flow in the McGregor Range geothermal system is extremely high and may indicate geothermal gradients on the order of 225 to 270°C/km (12.3 to 14.8° F/100ft). If correct, temperatures sufficient for binary electrical power generation could be reached at depths as shallow as 300 m (984 ft) and temperatures that may allow flash-plant electrical generation may be reached at depths as shallow as 600 m (1,967 ft). For other areas within the basin, the 100° C (194° F) isotherm would be encountered at a depth of approximately 2 km (6,540 ft) which would place it in the basin-fill sediments of the Santa Fe Group. Current geothermal uses include the McGregor geothermal system and the Garton Well.