Peppermill Hotel Casino
Encyclopedia
The Peppermill Resort-Spa-Casino is a resort
located in Reno, Nevada
currently owned by Peppermill Resorts Inc It first opened in 1971, and includes a Tuscan themed pool deck, 1,600 hotel rooms, 600 suites, as well as convention facilities. The resort also contains a 90000 square feet (8,361.3 m²) casino draped in neon. On June 21, 2011 Peppermill announced that AAA has awarded them with the prestigious Four Diamond rating for the first time in their 40 year history. Currently, the Peppermill is the only hotel-casino in Reno to hold the award.
energy. A geothermal well was drilled just north of their Tuscany Tower. In September, drilling was completed, with the well tapping into a reservoir of hot water 4421 ft (1,347.5 m) deep, averaging approximately 170 °F (76.7 °C). A temperature of at least 165 °F (73.9 °C) is required to be efficient enough to replace 4 boilers which had previously supplied all of the property's heating needs. In addition to providing all of the domestic heating needs of the facility (with the exception of the laundry facility, as well as a few dishwashers which still require natural gas
), the wells provide some of the cooling for the facility, as well. Completion of the project was in early 2010. A reinjection well had already been constructed on the property just west of the marquee during a prior expansion. An addition reinjection well was also constructed to the south of the existing reinjection site, at the far southeastern corner of the resort's property (the most recent well is at the northwest corner of the property), allowing for the maximum possible distance between the extraction and reinjection sites. The Peppermill is expected to be the only hotel in the United States who's heating is provided solely by geothermal energy derived on their immediate property. In October 2009, the Peppermill hosted the Geothermal Energy Expo, highlighting its endeavors into Green Energy.
In addition, while the temperature of their well is not high enough to generate steam, an experiment was conducted which proved that electricity could be generated with the well. Unfortunately, at 160 °F (71.1 °C), the well was only able to produce 270 KW of electricity, far from the 9 to 10 MW annually required to power a facility of its size. While the test only developed 270 KW of power, recent developments in the area of binary cycle systems could allow for the resort to generate supplemental power. A similar system is used several miles to the south at the Steamboat Springs
. Using such a system, the Peppermill could generate 3 to 4 MW of power, to be used during peak energy periods.
Resort
A resort is a place used for relaxation or recreation, attracting visitors for holidays or vacations. Resorts are places, towns or sometimes commercial establishment operated by a single company....
located in Reno, Nevada
Reno, Nevada
Reno is the county seat of Washoe County, Nevada, United States. The city has a population of about 220,500 and is the most populous Nevada city outside of the Las Vegas metropolitan area...
currently owned by Peppermill Resorts Inc It first opened in 1971, and includes a Tuscan themed pool deck, 1,600 hotel rooms, 600 suites, as well as convention facilities. The resort also contains a 90000 square feet (8,361.3 m²) casino draped in neon. On June 21, 2011 Peppermill announced that AAA has awarded them with the prestigious Four Diamond rating for the first time in their 40 year history. Currently, the Peppermill is the only hotel-casino in Reno to hold the award.
Geothermal Energy
In 2009, the Peppermill began a project to heat their entire property with geothermalGeothermal
Geothermal is related to energy and may refer to:* The geothermal gradient and associated heat flows from within the Earth- Renewable technology :...
energy. A geothermal well was drilled just north of their Tuscany Tower. In September, drilling was completed, with the well tapping into a reservoir of hot water 4421 ft (1,347.5 m) deep, averaging approximately 170 °F (76.7 °C). A temperature of at least 165 °F (73.9 °C) is required to be efficient enough to replace 4 boilers which had previously supplied all of the property's heating needs. In addition to providing all of the domestic heating needs of the facility (with the exception of the laundry facility, as well as a few dishwashers which still require natural gas
Natural gas
Natural gas is a naturally occurring gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, typically with 0–20% higher hydrocarbons . It is found associated with other hydrocarbon fuel, in coal beds, as methane clathrates, and is an important fuel source and a major feedstock for fertilizers.Most natural...
), the wells provide some of the cooling for the facility, as well. Completion of the project was in early 2010. A reinjection well had already been constructed on the property just west of the marquee during a prior expansion. An addition reinjection well was also constructed to the south of the existing reinjection site, at the far southeastern corner of the resort's property (the most recent well is at the northwest corner of the property), allowing for the maximum possible distance between the extraction and reinjection sites. The Peppermill is expected to be the only hotel in the United States who's heating is provided solely by geothermal energy derived on their immediate property. In October 2009, the Peppermill hosted the Geothermal Energy Expo, highlighting its endeavors into Green Energy.
In addition, while the temperature of their well is not high enough to generate steam, an experiment was conducted which proved that electricity could be generated with the well. Unfortunately, at 160 °F (71.1 °C), the well was only able to produce 270 KW of electricity, far from the 9 to 10 MW annually required to power a facility of its size. While the test only developed 270 KW of power, recent developments in the area of binary cycle systems could allow for the resort to generate supplemental power. A similar system is used several miles to the south at the Steamboat Springs
Steamboat Springs, Nevada
Steamboat Springs is a small volcanic field of rhyolitic lava domes and flows in western Nevada, USA, located south of Reno. There is extensive geothermal activity in the area, including numerous hot springs, steam vents, and fumaroles...
. Using such a system, the Peppermill could generate 3 to 4 MW of power, to be used during peak energy periods.