Economics of solar, geothermal, and conventional space heating
The costs of residential heating using conventional, solar and geothermal energy were calculated for a number of locations throughout the United States using life-cycle costing methodology. Using these costs, regions and applications are identified which show the most promise for near-term commercialization of geothermal and solar energy. Equally important, areas and applications are depicted which are not likely to be promising for solar or geothermal heating in the near-term. The regions showing the most immediate promise for solar heating occur in central Nevada, Utah and Colorado. These regions are characterized by high levels of insolation and high annual heating degree-days. Geothermal urban district heating currently appears to be an economic option for providing space heat in at least six locations: Reno, Nevada; Idaho Falls, Boise and Twin Falls, Idaho; Helena, Montana; and Klamath Falls, Oregon. These areas are characterized by high annual heating degree-days, high resource temperatures, and short transmission distances. In the near-term, conventional heating will continue to be most economic: (1) in the South (where annual heat demand is low); (2) in the Northeast and Midwest (where isolation levels are low and where known geothermal resources are not yet available); and (3) in the Pacific Northwest coastal region (where low-cost electricity is available).
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC06-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 6396103
- Report Number(s):
- PNL-SA-8907; CONF-801210-30; ON: DE83003464
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 3. Miami international conference on alternative energy sources, Miami Beach, FL, USA, 15 Dec 1980
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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14 SOLAR ENERGY
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
GEOTHERMAL SPACE HEATING
LIFE-CYCLE COST
SOLAR SPACE HEATING
SPACE HEATING
COLORADO
ECONOMICS
MONTANA
NEVADA
OREGON
REGIONAL ANALYSIS
UTAH
COST
FEDERAL REGION IX
FEDERAL REGION VIII
FEDERAL REGION X
GEOTHERMAL HEATING
HEATING
NORTH AMERICA
SOLAR HEATING
USA
151000* - Geothermal Energy- Direct Energy Utilization
140901 - Solar Thermal Utilization- Space Heating & Cooling
320100 - Energy Conservation
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& Utilization- Buildings