RENO, NEV.—The Peppermill Resort Spa Casino in Reno, Nev., is tapping into clean, reliable, renewable geothermal energy. A total of $8.1 million was invested in the project. Like the industry they represent, the privately held resort took a gamble—drill a well that taps into the geothermal aquifer, betting on finding water at the correct temperature that could be captured and converted to energy through a closed loop system. It would then be returned to the earth via a reinjection well, which would heat the entire resort’s water and mechanical heat via geothermal energy.
Peppermill president, Bill Paganetti, engaged world-renowned geothermal expert, Dr. Jim Combs of Geo Hills Associates LLC of Reno, to consult on the existing historical data and information from earlier projects. Because the Peppermill already had a re-injection well on the property, Combs recommended a new geothermal well be drilled on the property. The gamble paid off. With no guarantees and just a steadfast commitment, the Peppermill has successfully hit proverbial pay dirt at over 4,400 feet, becoming geothermal energy innovators and making local history with a well of this magnitude.
“No one else has a geothermal well of this depth in the city of Reno,” said Dean Parker, facilities director at the Peppermill. “In order for a well to produce the level of geothermal energy that could accomplish what we’ve set out to do, we needed to find water at 170 degrees that can pump 800 gallons per minute at 80 to 90 psi. With this well, we found that and more.”
Early 2010 Completion Date Targeted
The “and more” translates into enabling the Peppermill to harness geothermal energy that will heat 100 percent of the resort’s water and mechanical heat—2.1 million square feet, 24/7. The project’s target completion date is January 2010.
“The green energy heating addition to the HVAC system at the Peppermill will now make it the only hotel in the United States whose heating source is totally provided from geothermal energy produced on their own immediate property,” Combs said.
But the Peppermill doesn’t intend to stop there. As Alan Bailey, geologist and drilling engineer with Geothermal Resource Group, Inc. says, “The Peppermill’s commitment to geothermal energy has been clearly demonstrated with the completion of Peppermill 8. They have also shown that they have long-term goals for further sustainable development…the advanced geophysical borehole logging will dramatically enhance future drilling operations.”
Peppermill’s newest geothermal endeavor will be showcased at the upcoming Geothermal Resources Council Annual Meeting and Geothermal Energy Expo, to be held at the Peppermill October 4 to 7. The expected 2,000 participants from the worldwide geothermal industry will have an on-site opportunity to view the project and hear details of this success story, furthering the adage that Peppermill’s prospects are looking greener every day.
Go to the Peppermill.
