Residential and commercial space heating and cooling with possible greenhouse operation; Baca Grande development, San Luis Valley, Colorado. Final report

Technical Report · Thu May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1980

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5138909· OSTI ID:5138909

Goering, S W; Garing, K L; Coury, G E; Fritzler, E A

A feasibility study was performed to evaluate the potential of multipurpose applications of moderate-temperature geothermal waters in the vicinity of the Baca Grande community development in the San Luis Valley, Colorado. The project resource assessment, based on a thorough review of existing data, indicates that a substantial resource likely exists in the Baca Grande region capable of supporting residential and light industrial activity. Engineering designs were developed for geothermal district heating systems for space heating and domestic hot water heating for residences, including a mobile home park, an existing motel, a greenhouse complex, and other small commercial uses such as aquaculture. In addition, a thorough institutional analysis of the study area was performed to highlight factors which might pose barriers to the ultimate commercial development of the resource. Finally, an environmental evaluation of the possible impacts of the proposed action was also performed. The feasibility evaluation indicates the economics of the residential areas are dependent on the continued rate of housing construction. If essentially complete development could occur over a 30-year period, the economics are favorable as compared to existing alternatives. For the commercial area, the economics are good as compared to existing conventional energy sources. This is especially true as related to proposed greenhouse operations. The institutional and environmental analyses indicates that no significant barriers to development are apparent.

• Research Organization: Coury and Associates, Lakewood, CO (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-78ET28455
• OSTI ID: 5138909
• Report Number(s): DOE/ET/28455-3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
150101 -- Geothermal Energy-- Resources & Availability-- USA-- (-1989)
151000* -- Geothermal Energy-- Direct Energy Utilization
BUILDINGS
COLORADO
COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS
COST
DEGREE DAYS
DESIGN
DISTRICT HEATING
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ECONOMICS
GEOTHERMAL DISTRICT HEATING
GEOTHERMAL HEATING
GEOTHERMAL HEATING SYSTEMS
GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES
GEOTHERMAL SPACE HEATING
GEOTHERMAL WATER HEATING
Geothermal Legacy
HEATING
HEATING LOAD
HEATING SYSTEMS
HOTELS
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
MOBILE HOMES
NORTH AMERICA
PIPELINES
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
RESOURCE ASSESSMENT
RESOURCES
RETROFITTING
ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION
SPACE HEATING
USA