Geothermal - Energy Policy Analysis: A Conceptual Framework - page 140

Figure 7.5 The Costs of Utilizing Geothermal Power Plant Technologies

$

Environmental
costs

Dollar
costs

National security
costs

the manufacture of industrial equipment, not during ongoing operations. Consequently, utilizing
geothermal technologies will not produce climate change or a rise in sea level. Geothermal tech-
nologies do not produce substantial amounts of toxic waste that must be isolated from the human
environment for millennia. Geothermal energy utilization does not produce materials or targets
useful to terrorists. Consequently, the national security costs of utilizing geothermal technologies
are nil. As compared to other energy technologies, utilization of geothermal technologies can be
conceptualized as having net national security benefits.

SUMMARY OF COSTS

The costs of utilizing geothermal heat pump technologies are summarized in Figure 7.4 (see page
141) . Overall, the environmental costs for producing and using geothermal heat pump technologies
are incurred mostly during production of equipment and are “low” compared to most conventional
fuel technologies in use today.
The costs of utilizing geothermal power plant technologies are summarized in Figure 7.5. The
environmental costs for producing electricity from geothermal power plants are competitive with
most conventional fuels in use today and are therefore “high.” Special attention must be paid to
effective disposal of hazardous wastes produced during power production.
Dollar costs for dispersed application of geothermal heat pumps for heating residential, com-
mercial, and industrial buildings are “low” and competitive with conventional heating and cooling