By Jack Schaufler – September 29, 2025
Last week, California Community Power (CC Power) and several of its member agencies’ staff traveled to Reno, Nevada to meet with Ormat Technologies, a global leader in geothermal development and developer of one of CC Power’s contracts for a portfolio of geothermal projects. Together, we toured the company’s Steamboat Hills power plant complex, learning more about the technology up close, and engaging in good conversation on the role geothermal energy can play in California’s clean energy future.
Learning from Ormat’s Experienced Team
Our visit began at Ormat’s Reno office, where we were welcomed by members of the Ormat team. The group then traveled to Ormat’s Steamboat Hills site, located just south of Reno. This facility is a landmark in geothermal energy, comprised of six power plants utilizing binary systems and both air and water cooling. The total generating capacity of the complex is 84 MW, with the first plant having reached commercial operations in 1992 and the most recent plant reaching commercial operations in 2020. The facility is capable of providing enough power for all of Reno’s residential electricity demand.
There we met with Mario, a long-time member of the Ormat team, who has more than 15 years of experience in geothermal development and operations.
Caption: Mario from Ormat walking the group through a map of the Steamboat Hills complex.
Mario provided a technical overview of how traditional, hydrothermal geothermal technology works, highlighting the distinctions between steam and binary systems. Using detailed diagrams, we walked through the binary process: geothermal fluid is drawn from the earth, passed through heat exchangers where that heat is transferred to a motive fluid, and then used to spin turbines connected to a generator. We were able to see the difference in how Ormat’s projects have changed over the last 30 years and experience the latest and greatest binary technologies that will be implemented in the CC Power portfolio.
We also explored the future of geothermal through a discussion of Enhanced and Advanced Geothermal Systems (EGS/AGS). These emerging technologies aim to expand geothermal’s reach beyond naturally occurring hydrothermal reservoirs by creating or enhancing underground pathways for heat transfer.
Touring the Steamboat Hills Complex
After our briefing we made our way to the most recently constructed facility at Steamboat Hills.
Caption: On-site walkthrough of Ormat’s binary geothermal systems at Steamboat Hills.
Walking through the facility in our appropriate PPE (hard hats and protective gear that gave us all inspiration for some Halloween costumes), we were able to see each element of the project up close. We walked alongside the piping containing the geothermal fluid to the heat exchangers, tracing the binary fluid’s path to the turbines and ultimately through the fans and cooling systems. Mario guided us through the plant’s operations, providing context on how each system connects to create around-the-clock, reliable renewable power.
Caption: CC Power and CCA members’ staff at the Steamboat Hills geothermal complex.
Inside the Operations Center
The tour concluded at Ormat’s operations center, where staff monitor and control projects across the region. From this hub, operators track real-time data to optimize performance, flag potential issues, coordinate outages, and ensure reliability across multiple geothermal plants. Seeing how the control room functions underscored the importance of experienced and trusted partners in delivering clean, dependable power.
Caption: A group picture in front of the Steamboat Hills complex before heading to the operations center.
Why This Matters for California
For utilities across California, geothermal energy offers a unique combination of renewable and reliable power. Geothermal plants generate energy around the clock, making them a valuable tool for meeting clean energy goals and procurement mandates, while keeping the grid stable. California has a long history of geothermal and is exploring more development of this valuable resource in multiple areas around the state.
This visit also directly connects to CC Power’s growing portfolio. CC Power has executed a power purchase agreement with Ormat that includes multiple geothermal projects now under development and scheduled to come online over the next several years. The Steamboat Hills tour gave our members a firsthand look at the proven technology that will be delivering carbon-free, baseload energy to their communities as these new resources are completed.
Our experience in Reno reinforced the potential of geothermal as part of a balanced resource portfolio that includes long-duration storage, solar, wind, and more.
Thank you to the Ormat team for being great hosts, we look forward to touring our own geothermal plants with you in the near future!
