|
|
|
Commercial
Greenhouses
Geothermal Use in Utah Various research organizations and energy companies became interested in the Newcastle area of Iron County in the 1970s after farmers accidentally discovered a relatively shallow hydrothermal system while drilling an irrigation well. The well had encountered a hot-water aquifer with a maximum temperature of 108°C (226°F) between depths of 75 and 94 m (245 and 310 ft).
Subsequent studies by the UGS suggest a model of hot water rising along a mountain range-bounding fault and discharging into an aquifer in unconsolidated Quaternary sediments, forming a broad outflow plume. Temperatures within the outflow plume generally range between 82° and 104°C (180° and 220°F). Several commercial greenhouses, covering about 10 hectares (25 acres), use the geothermal fluid from shallow production wells (152 m [500 ft] deep) to produce high-quality flowers, vegetables, and ornamental plants year-round. Milgro greenhouses in Newcastle may be among the most successful commercial application of geothermal water for space heating in the United States. These greenhouses are now the nation’s largest producer of chrysanthemums. In fact, thanks to the Newcastle site, the Milgro family of greenhouse operations is now one of the nation’s largest growers of flower bulbs, after having produced no bulbs prior to Newcastle development. Castlevalley Greenhouses consists of nine arched, double plastic covered buildings. The main crop is tomatoes grown hydroponically. These are marketed by the owners through southern Utah. A few bedding plants are also grown.
Crystal (Bluffdale) Hot Springs, Salt Lake County Crystal (Bluffdale) Hot Springs is located at the southern end of the Salt Lake Valley where Bluffdale Flower Growers (formerly Utah Roses) operates a geothermal-heated greenhouse complex. The facility covers about 1.17 hectares (2.9 acres), and produces cut roses as its primary product. Surface spring temperatures are about 62°C (144°F). Subsurface temperatures of 88°C (190°F) have been reported in one of two 122-m-deep (400 ft) production wells. The springs normally issue from valley alluvium into several ponds. When production wells are in operation, the surface springs and ponds reportedly dry up. Utah Hot Springs, Box Elder and Weber Counties Utah Hot Springs issue from several orifices in valley fill sediments at the western edge of the Pleasant View spur about 90 m (300 ft) west of U.S. 89 on the Box Elder-Weber County line. The area is within an urban-industrial setting adjacent to a utility corridor, highway, and Interstate 15. The springs presently flow under the railroad and across a gentle slope. The springs are currently used to heat a small commercial greenhouse operation run by the Allan Plant Company. The maximum temperature reported is 63°C (145°F); although, temperatures reported in most studies ranged between 57°C and 58.5°C (135°F and 137°F). A total of 24 double plastic covered greenhouses are heated with the geothermal water year-round. These greenhouses are used to raise bedding plants (mainly geraniums) and poinsettias, which are sold wholesale to garden centers throughout northern Utah. Because of the high iron content in the water, special fittings are provided at intervals to the bottom of the heating pipes. These are flushed out with a hose three or four times a year. The hot springs were on the Hensley/Salt Lake Cutoff emigrant trail used in the 1850s. At the turn of the century, a resort with a geothermally heated pool was built. Special trains were run from Salt Lake City and Ogden to the resort while it was in use. The resort was torn down about 1970; however two cisterns remain, that were used to collect the spring water. |
