Technology Status - NET Nowak Energie & Technologie AG

Based on country update papers for the World Geothermal Congresses held
in 2000 and 2003 worldwide geothermal capacity could be projected to
reach 20.7 GW in 2020 (Lund). In another assessment, the combined efforts
of the US DOE and industry could result in 15 GW of new capacity installed in
the US within the next decade, assuming that a cost level of USD 0.03 per
kWh can be achieved. For Europe, forecasts for installed capacity range from
1.5 to 2 GW by 2010 and from 2 to 3 GW by 2020. These figures are optimistic
and can only become reality if leading countries commit themselves to
support geothermal power. The regions of Asia and the Americas are likely to
contribute most to the development of geothermal capacity.
Table 41
Cost-Reduction Opportunities for Geothermal Power (%)
R&D Economy of scale I Economy of scale II Economy of scale III
(components size) (manufacturing volume) (plant size)
Geothermal
power Up to 10 Up to 5 Up to 5 Up to 10
Source: NET Ltd., Switzerland. Data shown in % within a decade based on expected technology learning and
market growth.
Table 42
Cost Figures for Geothermal Power
Current investment costs • Low investment costs: 1,200
in USD per kW • High investment costs: 5,000
Expected investment costs • Low investment costs: 1,000
in USD per kW in 2010 • High investment costs: 3,500
Current generation costs • Low cost generation: 2-5
in USD cents per kWh • High cost generation: 6-12
Expected generation costs • Low cost generation: 2-3
in USD cents per kWh in 2010 • High cost generation: 5-10
Source: NET Ltd., Switzerland.
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GEOTHERMAL POWER
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