| Title | Geothermal Energy: Opportunities for California Commerce |
|---|---|
| Authors | Longyear, Alfred B.; Tierney, Justin N. |
| Year | 1982 |
| Conference | Geothermal Resources Council Transactions |
| Keywords | Direct Use; California; Agriculture; Industry; Greenhouse; District Heating System; Space Heating; Economics; Food Processing; Electricity Generation; Feed Production |
| Abstract | To accelerate the development of abundant low to moderate temperature geothermal resources, the California Energy Commission (CEC) has identified those resource areas and direct use applications with the greatest potential for successful commercial near term (2-5 years) development. An economic development approach was used to identify these areas and end uses. This approach focuses on enhancing a community's local economy by developing its geothermal resources to attract industries which need a low cost reliable energy source. Twenty seven area of the state met strict geologic and economic criteria and are considered priority areas for immediate development activities. Twenty end use applications, such as district heating and agricultural processes (e.g. greenhouse heating), met economic energy use criteria and can successfully convert to using geothermal energy. The CEC initiated geothermal market development activities to overcome the major impediments to accelerated development of small scale electric and direct use applications. These activities include infield technical and economic assessment and financial assistance to private developers and local government. These programs area explained in the context of the evolving geothermal market development effort. |