--> Abstract: Status and Potential of the U.S. Geothermal Industry, by P. M. Wright; #90993 (1993).

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WRIGHT, PHILLIP MICHAEL, University of Utah Research Institute, Salt Lake City, UT

ABSTRACT: Status and Potential of the U.S. Geothermal Industry

Among the most important and commercially viable of the alternative resources is geothermal energy. At present, 2400 MW of geothermal electrical power are being continuously generated in the United States, enough to supply the needs of 2.5 million people. Worldwide, geothermal resources furnish 5800 MW of power in some 20 countries. Geothermal energy is the third largest producer of electrical power from the so-called renewable resources in the United States, behind hydropower and biomass and ahead of solar and wind power. Unlike intermittent generation sources, geothermal energy has a very high availability factor for producing base-load power.

Use of geothermal energy has enormous environmental advantages over use of conventional fuels. Among these advantages are far fewer and more easily controlled atmospheric emissions, maintenance of groundwater quality, and much smaller dedicated land requirements.

The potential for expansion of geothermal energy use is enormous. Hydrothermal resources could supply 20,000 to 50,000 MW of electrical power and tens of thousands of thermal megawatts of direct heat in the Unites States. The National Geothermal Association estimates that some 80,000 MW of geothermal power could be developed in third-world countries from prospects that are already known. Because developing countries are looking for indigenous energy fuels in order to avoid imports, and because their own utilities are unable to pace their increasing electricity demand, these countries are looking to private-power investment to help solve their energy crises. The size of the market for exports of United States geothermal technology range from $20 to $40 billion over the next two decades Several of the major United States geothermal companies are becoming

more heavily involved in this foreign geothermal market.

Within the United States, the industry has undergone retrenchment in the last decade. With ten years of declining federal endorsement and cheap energy costs, a dwindling collection of companies sustains production operations. Expansion plans have dropped by one-half in the last few years. Little private money is at risk for exploration or technology research and development.

Absent public-policy encouragement above the level of state energy offices and regulatory commissions will cause the loss of the geothermal option from the national energy portfolio in the next ten years. Fortunately, the Clinton administration appears to be much more supportive of alternative-fuel development, and the domestic geothermal industry may see better days ahead.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90993©1993 AAPG Rocky Mountain Section Meeting, Salt Lake City, Utah, September 12-15, 1993.