The perspectives of future development of geothermal power plants are analyzed. Even if the interest in new plants and investments are recognized, the new installations are reduced. The apparent advantage of null cost of the energy source is negatively balanced by the high drilling and installation costs. A key element for the design of a geothermal plant for medium temperature geothermal source is the definition of the size: this is the key element to define not only the economic plan but also the durability of the reservoir. Considering that it is not possible that the development of geothermal industry could be driven only by an economic perspective, the authors propose a method for the combination of energetic and economic approaches. The results of a the combined energetic and economic analysis are interesting particularly in case of small size plants, in order to define a suitable and optimal size and to maximize the resource durability. The method is exposed with reference to some particular case studies, showing that the future sustainability of small size geothermal plants will be approached only if the research for more economic solutions will be combined with efforts in direction of efficiency increase.
A combined energetic and economic approach for the sustainable design of geothermal plants
FRANCO, ALESSANDRO;VACCARO, MAURIZIO
2014-01-01
Abstract
The perspectives of future development of geothermal power plants are analyzed. Even if the interest in new plants and investments are recognized, the new installations are reduced. The apparent advantage of null cost of the energy source is negatively balanced by the high drilling and installation costs. A key element for the design of a geothermal plant for medium temperature geothermal source is the definition of the size: this is the key element to define not only the economic plan but also the durability of the reservoir. Considering that it is not possible that the development of geothermal industry could be driven only by an economic perspective, the authors propose a method for the combination of energetic and economic approaches. The results of a the combined energetic and economic analysis are interesting particularly in case of small size plants, in order to define a suitable and optimal size and to maximize the resource durability. The method is exposed with reference to some particular case studies, showing that the future sustainability of small size geothermal plants will be approached only if the research for more economic solutions will be combined with efforts in direction of efficiency increase.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
