Geothermal Direct Use in the United States Update: 1990-1994

Abstract

Information is provided on the of geothermal direct heat utilization in the United States. with emphasis on developments from 1990 to 1994. Since the 1990 report. there were 18 new expanded projects representing an increase thermal capacity of 51 MW, and annual energy utilization of 524 Geothermal heat pumps represent the largest sector during the period, adding an estimated 621 MW, and 2223 Tllyr to these figures. Only 62 direct-heat utilization wells, averaging 250 m in depth, have been drilled. There was a 70% reduction in professional personnel effort from the 1990 report, primarily due to reductions in funding support at both the and federal level. In the last ten years there has been a shift from public to private funding of direct-heat projects.