The Geothermal Technologies Office (GTO) has uploaded an updated version of the Geothermal Electricity Technology Evaluation Model (GETEM) provided by Idaho National Laboratory.
GETEM is an Excel-based tool used to estimate the Levelized Cost of Energy for definable geothermal scenarios. Electrical power generation is the sole geothermal use considered by GETEM and does not provide assessment capabilities for geothermal direct-use or geothermal heat pumps.
The model evaluates either a Hydrothermal or an Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) resource type, and then either a flash-steam or air-cooled binary power plant based on specific resource parameters.
The updated GETEM tool is available for download here.
GETEM aids GTO in understanding the performance and the cost of the technologies it is seeking to improve. It is a detailed model of the estimated performance and costs of geothermal power systems currently available in the U.S. GETEM can be used to analyze and evaluate the state of existing technologies and estimate the cost of certain technologies five to 20 years in the future, given the direction of potential RD&D projects. The model is intended to help GTO determine which proposed RD&D programs and projects might offer the most efficient improvement when based on taxpayer funding.
Recent modifications include:
- The updated design centers on inputs variables related to both Hydrothermal and EGS resources using either flash-steam or air-cooled binary power plants.
- A schedule of the main project activities is now available with graphical representation showing the timeline for incurring pre-operational capital costs.
- A ‘re-finance’ option is now available for expenses incurred at the time the power purchase agreement.
- The model defaults to using failed full-size production wells as injection wells to supplement the evaluation of Hydrothermal
- The model allows injection, production, or both well types for stimulation.
- A drilling success rate and a stimulation success rate are used to determine the proportion of ‘successful’ wells drilled.
The updated GETEM tool is available for download here.
