| Title | Economic Impacts of DOE Geothermal Technology R&D |
|---|---|
| Authors | Entingh, D. J.; Nguyen, V. T.; Dhillon, H. S.; McFarland, C. |
| Year | 1979 |
| Conference | Geothermal Resources Council Transactions |
| Keywords | R & D Projects; Case Histories; Economic Impact; USA; Utilization Projects; Cost Reduction; Power On Line; Efficiencies; Well Cost; Electric Systems; High Temperature Reservoirs; US DOE |
| Abstract | We analyzed 113 current and recent projects of the three R&D programs of the Utilization Technology Branch of the Division of Geothermal Energy. The R&D projects were grouped into 55 product oriented sets, for which engineering/economic impacts on 50 Mwe (net) hydrothermal electric plants of various types and at various locations were estimated. The results suggest that the impacts of these R&D efforts should reduce the cost of geothermal electricity from such plants by 18% to 38% by 1985. The largest share of these savings will result from reduced well costs and increased power plant efficiencies. The overall benefit/cost ratio of the Geothermal Utilization Technology R&D program appear to better than 10:1. |