Heatmap © Geo: the Key to Geothermal District Energy Feasibility Analysis, Design and Operation

Abstract

Determining the technical and economic feasibility of geothermal district energy (district heat and cooling) systems is a two-track process. One is directed toward establishing the thermal and chemical characteristics of the resource and the other to establishing the economic and technical viability of building and operating a district energy system. To date most programs have been directed toward identification and characterization of the resource. However, exploration, confirmation drilling, resource characterization and reservoir engineering are all expensive activities that may or may not be justifiable unless the economics of the proposed use of that resource are extremely favorable. Fortunately, at least in the case of geothermal district energy, determining the technical and economic viability of using the resource can now be readily determined at a fraction of the cost of a detailed resource characterization process.