Mobile Geothermal Power System Demonstrated at the 2009 Geothermal Energy Expo

RENO, Nev., Oct. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Pratt & Whitney Power Systems, in conjunction with Chena Power LLC in Alaska and the U.S. Department of Energy, demonstrated a mobile geothermal power generation unit at the 2009 Geothermal Energy Expo in Reno, Nev. Pratt & Whitney is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) company.

"The new mobile version of Pratt & Whitney's PureCycle® technology allows customers to relocate valuable energy generating capability from one geothermal or waste heat resource to another as circumstances dictate," said John Fox, director, Pratt & Whitney Power Systems. "This project builds upon the successful public-private partnership that exists among Chena Power, Pratt & Whitney and the Department of Energy."

Originally designed for the oil and gas industry, the PureCycle system can generate electricity from various heat sources with temperatures between 190 and 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Using a mobile unit at existing oil and gas sites can expedite return on investment for geothermal power, as the majority of development cost is in exploration, drilling and infrastructure.

The 2009 Geothermal Energy Expo is the second stop on a demonstration tour that will end at an oil and gas field in Florida, owned by Quantum Resource Management, LLC. There, the unit will go into operational service in an oil and gas operating environment, further demonstrating the value of base load renewable energy.

This project capitalizes on the benefits of the existing PureCycle system including use of high volume manufacturing parts with short lead times, low temperature capability and modular installations to suit customers' needs. A new feature is the self-contained cooling system that uses resource water to replenish the cooling tower water, thus eliminating the need for a separate fresh water source. The innovative system demonstrates how low temperature geothermal technology that can diversify the nation's energy supply with base load renewable energy while creating jobs and economic benefits.

Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines, space propulsion systems and industrial gas turbines. United Technologies, based in Hartford, Conn., is a diversified company providing high technology products and services to the global aerospace and commercial building industries.

    Elliot Okrent
    Pratt & Whitney
    +1-860-565-9600 PR Line
    +1-860-565-7306 Direct
    elliot.okrent@pw.utc.com