GEOLOGIC AND ENGINEERING ASPECTS OF IDAHO'S GEOTHERMAL POTENTIAL By

Preliminary investi9ations of geothermal occurrences in Idaho have established the basic geologic, thermodynamic, hydrologic and chemical con ditions which will be encountered in the exploitation of the geothermal resource. These conditions will impose definite restrictions on the range of possible engineering applications. Utilization for space heating and other low enthalpy uses appear most favored. The generation of electri city by a "magma-max " type process will become economically feasible as energy costs soar and the extractive technology is refined. The total geothermal energy ava"ilable in southern Idaho is signi ficant, but its exploitation will be deoendent on the rate at which the low temperature heat-extraction technology advances and the rate at which conventional energy costs increase. INTRODU CT ION The attention of both the public and private sectors involved i