Models - Can They Really Be Trusted in Determining the Feasibility of a Geothermal District Energy System?

Abstract

Over the past two decades, a number of computer models have been developed in order to reduce both the cost and time required to evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of implementing geothermal district energy systems. Among the first of these was Geo City, developed in the late 1970s. Over the years, Geo City was followed by a number of other models developed by colleges and universities, national labs, and private consulting companies. Some were little more than spreadsheets while others took the power of a mainframe computer. One of the more recent entries into the field is HEATMAP©, developed by the Washington State University Energy Program. A thorough testing of the HEATMAP© program against as-built and operating experience is presented together with a discussion of what capabilities the "ideal model" should provide.