Evaporative Cooling Research Project

In research to improve output during hot days, reclaimed water from the MCWD is sprayed under condensers.

As a part of our ongoing efforts to remain at the cutting edge of geothermal and power technologies, Mammoth Pacific conducted research to help increase the geothermal facilities’ operational efficiency during the summer months.

Performance of the facilities can drop by 50 percent or more due to significant operating deficiencies caused by the use of air-cooled condensers on hot summer days. This is the same time that power demand peaks and California needs the electricity most.

In 2001, we partnered with the Mammoth Community Water District (MCWD) to test and evaluate the use of MCWD’s tertiary treated, reclaimed water with three different cooling technologies. (Click here to see article about the project).

In 2002 and 2003, we tested and evaluated the use of geothermal fluid as an evaporative medium for one promising technology. The data collected during this research will be used for the final selection, design, and permitting of a possible permanent system.

This research project was selected to receive the prestigious Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award in 2003, as well as a Certificate of Recognition in 2001 due to its potential benefit to the geothermal industry as a whole. For more information on Mammoth Pacific’s awards, click here.