Rules of thumb for geothermal direct applications

The availability of geothermal fluids in an area may be indicated by the presence of hot springs, geysers, fumaroles, or existing hot wells. Wherever a reliable source of such geothermal fluid is available, geothermal energy may provide an ecologically and economically sound alternative to conventional energy sources for industrial, business, and residential applications. To show how geothermal energy can fit your application, here are a few 'rules of thumb' that apply to delivery and use of geothermal energy. The included equations, graphs, and tables illustrate factors to consider in planning geothermal installations. Examples illustrate typical applications