Low-Temperature, Direct Use Geothermal Energy Costs
- Key words
- Economics; Direct Use; Cost Analysis; Low Temperature Resources; USA; California; Colorado; Oregon; Feasibility Analysis; Cost Components; Investment Decision; Development Costs; Economic Model; Economic Study; US DOE Study
- Conference
- Geothermal Resources Council Transactions
- Year
- 1979
- Session
- Economics; Direct use; Low temperature reservoirs; Feasibili
- Language
- English
Abstract
The economic feasibility of direct use geothermal applications was analyzed in this Department of Energy study. The cost geothermal energy to 20 different design and economics model developed to ensure consistent results. The analysis showed that the costs associated with producing and reinjecting geothermal fluids dominate the cost of geothermal energy in direct use processes, and that geothermal energy cost correlate with degree of utilization of the resources, rather than with type of application. In this study, the cost of energy from geothermal sources was found to be competitive with fuel oil based energy at utilization levels above 20%.
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