Peppermill Hotel Casino - Geothermal Energy

Geothermal Energy

In 2009, the Peppermill began a project to heat their entire property with geothermal energy. A geothermal well was drilled just north of their Tuscany Tower. In September, drilling was completed, with the well tapping into a reservoir of hot water 4,421 ft (1,348 m) deep, averaging approximately 170 °F (77 °C). A temperature of at least 165 °F (74 °C) is required to be efficient enough to replace 4 boilers which had previously supplied all of the property's heating needs. In addition to providing all of the domestic heating needs of the facility (with the exception of the laundry facility, as well as a few dishwashers which still require natural gas), the wells provide some of the cooling for the facility, as well. Completion of the project was in early 2010. A reinjection well had already been constructed on the property just west of the marquee during a prior expansion. An addition reinjection well was also constructed to the south of the existing reinjection site, at the far southeastern corner of the resort's property (the most recent well is at the northwest corner of the property), allowing for the maximum possible distance between the extraction and reinjection sites. The Peppermill is expected to be the only hotel in the United States whose heating is provided solely by geothermal energy derived on their immediate property. In October 2009, the Peppermill hosted the Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) and GEA Trade Show, highlighting its endeavors into Green Energy.

In addition, while the temperature of their well is not high enough to generate steam, an experiment was conducted which proved that electricity could be generated with the well. Unfortunately, at 160 °F (71 °C), the well was only able to produce 270 KW of electricity, far from the 9 to 10 MW annually required to power a facility of its size. While the test only developed 270 KW of power, recent developments in the area of binary cycle systems could allow for the resort to generate supplemental power. A similar system is used several miles to the south at the Steamboat Springs. Using such a system, the Peppermill could generate 3 to 4 MW of power, to be used during peak energy periods.