Project management for geothermal energy development

Abstract

Geothermal resource development entails five phases namely resource exploration, resource assessment, power plant construction, operations and decommissioning. Each of this phase has several steps ranging from desktop studies, appraisal drilling, well testing, production drilling, plant operations and decommissioning. The challenge is to complement all project activities without exceeding tolerance limits of time, cost, quality and scope. Project management is one of the most important issues during design and operationalization of geothermal systems for energy generation. It comprises planning, organization, motivation and the engagement of controlling resources; without these, the risk of technical failure of a project is high.