U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District, Fort Irwin Renewable Energy Assessment

Redhorse evaluated the feasibility of implementing direct-use geothermal systems, ground source heat pump systems, and solid waste-to-energy and refuse-derived fuel at Fort Irwin.  The evaluation included collection of site-specific data, use of qualitative geothermal occurrence models, development of preliminary configurations for the ground source heat pump model, and solid waste resource types and volumes for analyzing and screening each technology.  Redhorse developed conceptual designs for trash-to-energy using incineration and pyrolysis, trash-to-energy using gasification, bio-gas generation and energy generation, solid waste diversion and densification, and small-scale integrated waste-to-energy systems.  The technical and economic analysis indicated that viable opportunities exist to deploy small-scale waste-to-energy units.  Using the available combustible resource of 6,000 tons per year with a heat value of 10 million British thermal units (MMBtu) per ton and an energy recovery factor of 70 percent, approximately 12,300 megawatt hours (MWh) could be generated.