Economic analysis of Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS). A review of software packages for estimating and simulating costs

  1. Olasolo, P. 2
  2. Juárez, M.C. 2
  3. Olasolo, J. 4
  4. Morales, M.P. 35
  5. Valdani, D. 1
  1. 1 Delft University of Technology
    info

    Delft University of Technology

    Delft, Holanda

    ROR https://ror.org/02e2c7k09

  2. 2 Universidad de La Rioja
    info

    Universidad de La Rioja

    Logroño, España

    ROR https://ror.org/0553yr311

  3. 3 Universidad Autónoma de Chile
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    Universidad Autónoma de Chile

    Temuco, Chile

    ROR https://ror.org/010r9dy59

  4. 4 Universidad de Zaragoza
    info

    Universidad de Zaragoza

    Zaragoza, España

    ROR https://ror.org/012a91z28

  5. 5 Universidad Internacional de La Rioja
    info

    Universidad Internacional de La Rioja

    Logroño, España

    ROR https://ror.org/029gnnp81

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Revista:
Applied Thermal Engineering

ISSN: 1359-4311

Año de publicación: 2016

Volumen: 104

Páginas: 647-658

Tipo: Artículo

DOI: 10.1016/J.APPLTHERMALENG.2016.05.073 SCOPUS: 2-s2.0-84969941282 WoS: WOS:000379270400064 GOOGLE SCHOLAR

Otras publicaciones en: Applied Thermal Engineering

Resumen

This review presents an economic analysis of Enhanced Geothermal Systems, which are a way of making efficient, large-scale use of the enormous resources offered by geothermal energy. Existing software packages for estimating and simulating costs, conventionally used in studying Enhanced Geothermal Systems facilities have been examined, focusing on EURONAUT, the top European software, and the US GEOPHIRES package. The latter is currently the newest package for economic studies of Enhanced Geothermal Systems: it can simulate not only electricity production but also the output of heat for direct use and the combination of both systems, i.e. Combined Heat and Power. The main findings obtained with these two tools are presented, including sensitivity of analysis and a comparison of the Levelized Costs of Electricity with other electricity generating technologies. Finally, and based on the study conducted, different approaches are proposed in order to obtain better results from the initial assumptions and parameters used in areas still to be explored by software packages. © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.