economics

The Economics of Sustainable Geothermal Development

Basic Information
Author: 
Lovekin, J.W.
Description: 
In planning the development of a geothermal field, there is a trade-off between plant capacity and the cost of make-up drilling. A larger plant benefits from economies of scale in the construction and operation of surface facilities. On the other hand, a larger plant also places a greater load on the geothermal reservoir, which causes higher rates of decline in well productivity. Greater decline rates for existing wells require a larger number of make-up wells. Because the cost of make-up wells occurs later in the project life, this cost has relatively less impact on project economics than the up-front cost of plant construction. Similarly, the loss of revenue from a decline in output late in a project's life is much less significant than revenue foregone at the start of a project due to limited plant capacity.
Publication Date: 
Saturday, January 1, 2000
Resource Language: 
English
Intelectual Originator Contact
Organization Name: 
GeothermEx, Inc.
Street Address: 
3260 Blume Drive,Suite 220
City: 
Richmond
State/Province: 
CA
Postal Code: 
94806
Country: 
United States
Phone: 
510-527-9876
Fax: 
510-527-8164
Resource Information
Resource Distribution Contact
Organization Name: 
GeothermEx, Inc.
Street Address: 
3260 Blume Drive,Suite 220
City: 
Richmond
State/Province: 
CA
Postal Code: 
94806
Country: 
United States
Phone: 
510-527-9876
Fax: 
510-527-8164
Geographic Extent
North bounding latitude: 
75
South bounding latitude: 
17
West bounding longitude: 
-180
East bounding longitude: 
-64
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