Economic and environmental evaluation of utilization of geothermal energy resources

Low-temperature geothermal resources exist throughout entire Iran, and there is tremendous potential for new direct-use applications. Recent surveys identified many thermal springs and low- to moderate-temperature geothermal resource areas, and hundreds of potential direct-use sites. Direct utilizing geothermal energy in homes and commercial operations is much more costly than utilizing fossil fuels in Iran because of highly subsidized fossil fuels in an oil-reach country such as Iran. But geothermal energy is also very clean, producing only a small percentage (and in many cases none) of the air pollutants emitted by burning fossil fuels. Thus, governmental support for the development of these clean energy sources is required. Geothermal energy becomes immense potential to contribute to our clean energy future. In this paper, we described how the new Iranian legislation on green energy development can be changed to have effective support for the development of direct utilization of geothermal energy in the future. Government can help bring this cleaner energy future to reality by increasing funding for geothermal research, development, and demonstration; streamlining permitting; offering financial incentives to ease geothermal adoption into the marketplace.