IRENA estimates U.S. geothermal resource potential at up to 24 GW
IRENA Website Screenshot
Francisco Rojas
13 Jan 2015
In its overview, IRENA estimates that by 2030, geothermal power could represent a 3% share of renewable power generation in the U.S. up from about 1% in 2010.
In a recent report on the United States, the “Renewable Energy Prospects: United States of America “, IRENA discusses the potential for different renewable energy technologies.
In its overview, IRENA estimates that by 2030, geothermal power could represent a 3% share of renewable power generation in the U.S. up from about 1% in 2010. (p. 48).
For Electricity generation, IRENA provides a reference case of 43 TWh of electricity generated by geothermal plants (up from 15 TWh in 2010) and up to 183 TWh in its Remap 2030.
For heat supply, IRENA estimates a doubling of geothermal heat supply from 11 PJ to 22 PJ (25 PJ for the Remap 2030). With the opportunities in direct use applications and heat pumps, we think that the estimates are rather low and underestimate the potential of geothermal heat supply in the U.S.
IRENA estimates a levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) generation in the U.S. between $58-120/ MWh (IRENA 2013), NREL in its estimates for 2030 considers a price of $82/ MWh. For its Remap 2030 scenario, IRENA estimates a LCOE of $85-100/ MWh. We consider these estimates to be on the rather high side if one would only look at hydrothermal projects, but likely include EGS scenarios and are therefore maybe realistic. (p. 53)
To read the full press release, please follow the link below.
Source: IRENA Press Release
