Page 199 - Low Temperature Energy Systems with Applications of Renewable Energy

186 Low-Temperature Energy Systems with Applications of Renewable Energy

Fig. 5.6 (L) The Lavoir (small building with dark roof, lower center) in Chaudes-Aigues, 2013;
Google Earth Street View, Sept. 8, 2013; (R) Lavoir interior, hot water inlet pipe at rear of the
tub; http://au-detour-d-un-chemin.over-blog.com/article-les-sources-de-chaudes-aigues-can-
tal-116257053.html.

Fig. 5.7 Caleden thermal spa in Chaudes-Aigues [6].

5.3.2 Boise, Idaho, USA

Downtown Boise, Idaho, is home to the oldest and largest geothermal heating district
in the United States. Before recorded history, the land where Boise sits today was
occupied by Native Americans, notably the Nez Perce, going back at least 12,000
years. They were drawn to the place by the natural hot springs that emanated from
the west face of a massive granite outcrop. The harsh winters were made more bearable
by the warmth afforded by the springs. In fact the area became known later as “Peace
Valley” in accordance with Native-American culture that recognized natural hot
springs as sacred places at which all were welcome to come, socialize, and enjoy
the comfort of the warm waters [7].
In modern history, the use of the geothermal energy goes back to the early 1890s
when a pair of private entrepreneurs dug wells in an area where they had noticed
snow did not build up during the winter, an intuitive exploration technique. The waters
that flowed spontaneously from their wells were hot enough to heat homes in the area,
and led to the construction of a natatorium housed in a newly-built, magnificent,
Moorish-style building that made direct use of the geothermal waters [8]; see