The Valley’s steam is a local asset for CalEnergy
CalEnergy in Calipatria operates 10 geothermal facilities in the area. Those facilities, which can produce up to 345 megawatts of energy, employ 214 workers locally.
CalEnergy was founded in 1971. The first of its geothermal plants came online in 1986 and the last two in 2000. The company is owned and operated by Berkshire Hathaway Energy, which owns one of the largest renewable energy portfolios in the United States.
BHE Renewables encompasses BHE Solar, BHE Wind, BHE Geothermal, BHE Hydro as well as renewable project development and commercial management. BHE Renewables owns solar, wind, geothermal and hydroelectric projects that produce energy for both the wholesale market and for customers under long-term power agreements.
By working to produce usable energy from non-carbon resources, these businesses offer energy alternatives and help to reduce the environmental impacts of energy creation. Non-carbon or not-carbon-based is often used to refer to energy sources that do not generate carbon dioxide, thereby reducing the effects of carbon dioxide on the environment. This use of non-carbon resources gives Berkshire Hathaway Energy a cleaner, more diverse generation portfolio that’s better able to meet the varying needs of its customers.
Approximately 7 percent of CalEnergy’s local workforce are military veterans. These former military members include the general manager and human resource manager.
In 2020 and in partnership with MidAmerican Energy, another Berkshire Hathaway Energy business, Veterans Engagement, Transition and Retention Network (VETRN) was established. The membership is open to all BHE Renewables employees and contractors.
The goals are to positively influence professional development and retention, provide support and mentorship to military personnel, veterans, their spouses and families, and promote a company culture that encourages inclusion and engagement of military personnel and veterans.
In addition to employing many residents, CalEnergy benefits the community by paying significant property taxes. In the fiscal year ending in June 2020, CalEnergy paid Imperial County approximately $3.5 million. In June 2021, it will pay $3 million.
The 10 generating plants produce electricity solely from naturally occurring geothermal steam. Geothermal production wells tap into superheated water reservoirs thousands of feet beneath the Earth’s surface to release tremendous pressure caused by the hot water, which rushes to the surface. At this point, steam is separated and used to drive turbines to generate electricity.
Five of the Imperial Valley facilities – Vulcan, Salton Sea 1, Elmore, Hoch and the Salton Sea 3 – deliver the output to a consortium of customers that includes the city of Riverside, Salt River Project, Sacramento Municipal Utility District and Imperial Irrigation District under long-term portfolio arrangements that enable these customers to spread delivery risk over multiple plants. The remaining five plants deliver the output to Southern California Edison, Riverside and Arizona Public Service.
hese 10 generating plants require ongoing and significant maintenance. Jose (Joe) Flores, outage project manager, an employee of CalEnergy for 35 years, coordinates the planning for much of that maintenance. He and a team perform annual maintenance checks on each of the plants, just like commercial aircraft or other fine-tuned, complex machines. Flores is a native of Brawley, and other than attending a trade school, has lived in the Imperial Valley all of his life.
“Safety is of the highest priority at CalEnergy,” Flores said. “It starts the moment we step onto the facility and continues until we leave. I am proud of our work and the commitment to the community, with the number of good-paying jobs with great benefits.”
CalEnergy has long been a part of the community. With the potential for lithium extraction, CalEnergy is poised to bring more good-paying jobs to the Imperial Valley.