Competitive Pricing of Geothermal Energy, Including Externalities
- Key words
- Economics; Contracts; USA; Air Quality; Marketing; Adders; Environmental; Utilities
- Location
- United States
- Conference
- Geothermal Resources Council Transactions
- Year
- 1991
- Session
- Economics; Energy policy; Environmental aspects; Energy mark
- Language
- English
Abstract
The electric utility industry does not adequately recognize the unique characteristics of geothermal energy. For example, geothermal energy diversifies the fuel mix and may offer air quality benefits that are not offered by other forms of electric generation. On the other hand, renewable resources often have high capital costs, making it difficult for them to compete with less capital intensive technologies. Until recently, methodologies have not existed for including these "externalities" in utility resource planning. This presentation summarizes how externalities are being quantified and incorporated into utility resource plans and how they may impact geothermal resource development.
Copyright 1991, Geothermal Resources Council. Readers who download papers from this site should honour the copyright of the original authors, and may not copy or distribute the work further without the permission of the original publisher.