Ranking Direct Use Geothermal Resources in the Northwest Based on Developability and Cost

Abstract

In 1983, the Bonneville Power Administration contracted for an evaluation and ranking of all geothermal resource sites in the states of Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington which have a potential for reducing electrical loads through direct utilization of the resource. The four states, working together under a cooperative agreement, developed a methodology which ranks sites based upon an estimate of development potential and cost. Development potential was measured through the use of weighted variables selected to approximate the attributes a geothermal firm might consider in this selection of a site for development. Cost estimates are made using the computer program HEATPLAN (Allen, 1984). Finally, the sites were ranked by a technique which allowed for the integration of development and cost information.