Geothermal direct use projects in the United States: Status and trends

Conference · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:5531671

Lunis, B C; Lienau, P J ^[1]

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1. EG and G Idaho, Inc., Idaho Falls, ID (USA)

Prior to about 1973, geothermal most direct use projects in the United States involved pool/spa applications and limited district and space heating systems. The oil price shocks of the 1970's revived interest in the use of geothermal energy as an alternative energy source. Accordingly, the US Department of Energy initiated numerous programs that caused significant growth of this industry. These programs involved technical assistance to developers, the preparation of project feasibility studies for potential users, cost sharing of demonstration projects (space and district heating, industrial, agriculture, and aquaculture), resource assessments, loan guarantees, support of state resource and commercialization activities, and others. Also adding to the growth were various federal and state tax credits. The use of groundwater-source heat pumps contributed to the growth, starting in 1980. The growth of direct use project development was quite closely monitored during the late 1970's and early 1980's when the USDOE program activities were extensive. Periodic updating of the status of the projects has been occasional but limited since that time. In order to obtain a better understanding of the current geothermal direct use market, the Oregon Institute of Technology Geo-Heat Center (OIT), under contract to the US Department of Energy, launched an extensive data-gathering effort in the spring of 1988. The results of that effort are incorporated into this paper. The Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL) (also funded by the Department of Energy) and OIT, through their continuing contacts with the geothermal industry, including state energy offices, are familiar with development trends and concerns; this information is also presented. 3 tabs.

• Research Organization: EG and G Idaho, Inc., Idaho Falls, ID (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE/CE
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-76ID01570
• OSTI ID: 5531671
• Report Number(s): EGG-M-88264; CONF-881013-5; ON: DE90002012
• Resource Relation: Conference: JIGASTOCK '88: international conference on applied geothermal energy and thermal energy storage, Versailles (France), 18-21 Oct 1988
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
USES
AQUACULTURE
GEOTHERMAL DISTRICT HEATING
GEOTHERMAL HEATING SYSTEMS
GEOTHERMAL WATER HEATING
HEAT PUMPS
INDUSTRY
SWIMMING POOLS
DISTRICT HEATING
ENERGY
ENERGY SOURCES
ENERGY SYSTEMS
GEOTHERMAL HEATING
HEATING
HEATING SYSTEMS
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
SURFACE WATERS
WATER HEATING
Geothermal Legacy
151000* - Geothermal Energy- Direct Energy Utilization