Renewable Energy Transmission Initiative

Geothermal Assessment as Part of California’s Renewable Energy Transmission Initiative (RETI)

Basic Information
Author: 
Lovekin, J.
Author: 
Pletka, R.
Description: 
Geothermal assessments and cost estimates were performed as part of California’s Renewable Energy Transmission Initiative (RETI) to help guide transmission planning. The RETI assessments identified approximately 5,300 gross megawatts (MW) of additional electrical-generation capacity that could be brought on line from geothermal sites within 10 years, including 2,440 gross MW within California. The RETI study area spanned 5 western states and parts of Canada and Mexico. Geothermal assessments were performed for 116 sites in California, Nevada, Oregon, and southern British Columbia. MW capacity estimates were made on a regional basis for Arizona, Washington, and the northern portion of the Mexican state of Baja California Norte (“Baja”). Capital costs and costs for Operations and Maintenance (O&M) were estimated primarily as a function of MW capacity. For most sites, estimated capital costs ranged from $3,000 to $5,500 per gross MW installed, and estimated O&M costs ranged from $22 to $35 per gross MWh (2008 dollars). These costs were converted to a net-MW basis in the RETI analysis for purposes of comparison with other renewable energy sources. The Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) for most geothermal sites ranged from $65 to $130 per net MWh.
Publication Date: 
Thursday, January 1, 2009
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
Access Statement: 
Abstract available online at http://www.geothermex.com/files/file_4a8db4d59cd06.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: 
41.8556
South bounding latitude: 
32.1969
West bounding longitude: 
-124.629
East bounding longitude: 
-113.027
Previous Citation
Bibliographic Citation: 
Lovekin, James and Pletka, Ryan, 2003.Geothermal Assessment as Part of California’s Renewable Energy Transmission Initiative (RETI) . GeothermEx Inc., Richmond, California.
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