EGS power cost

Is EGS Commercially Feasible?

Basic Information
Author: 
Sanyal, S.K.
Author: 
Morrow, J.W.
Author: 
Butler, S.J.
Author: 
Robertson-Tait, Ann
Description: 
This paper presents an evaluation of the cost of electric power from Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS), that is, reservoirs with sub-commercial permeability enhanced by hydraulic stimulation. The parameters in this exercise reflect the conditions encountered at the Desert Peak EGS project in Nevada, but the results should be applicable, at least qualitatively, to any EGS project. The approach taken is to : 1) use numerical simulation to evaluate energy recovery versus time over an assumed 30-year project life for various system configurations (number and spacing of wells, assumptions about stimulation effectiveness, etc; 2) estimate the levelized power cost for each configuration, based on capital cost, O&M cost, the cost of money and inflation rate (using Monte Carlo sampling to address uncertainties); 3) determining the sensitivity of levelized cost to the cost components, interest and inflation rates, and resource characteristics (maximum practical pumping rate, reservoir characteristics, and the depth to thereservoir at the site); and 4) estimating future EGS costs and considering the possible technology improvements that could be made by that time.
Publication Date: 
Monday, January 1, 2007
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
Available Files: 
Resource Information
Access Statement: 
Abstract available online at http://www.geothermex.com/files/Sanyal_2007-5.pdf For a copy of this paper please e-mail us at mw@geothermex.com
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: 
38.9106
South bounding latitude: 
34.5454
West bounding longitude: 
-123.047
East bounding longitude: 
-117.07
Previous Citation
Bibliographic Citation: 
Sanyal, S.K., Morrow, J.W., Butler, S.J., and Robertson-Tait, A., 2007. Is EGS Commercially Feasible? GeothermEx, Inc., Richmond, California.
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