How can you align FM projects with geothermal energy standards?

1 Assess your facility's potential

Before you start a geothermal energy project, you need to assess your facility's potential for using this source of energy. This involves analyzing the geology, hydrology, climate, and energy demand of your site, as well as the availability and cost of geothermal resources. You can use tools such as the Geothermal Resource Potential Map or the Geothermal Resource Portfolio Optimization and Reporting Technique (GeoPORT) to help you with this step. You should also consider the regulatory, environmental, and social aspects of your project, and consult with relevant stakeholders and experts.

2 Choose the right system type and design

Once you have determined your facility's potential for geothermal energy, you need to choose the right system type and design for your project. There are different types of geothermal systems, such as ground source heat pumps, direct use, or power generation, depending on the temperature and depth of the geothermal resource. You also need to decide on the configuration and size of your system, such as the number and layout of wells, pipes, pumps, heat exchangers, and other components. You should follow the best practices and standards for geothermal system design, such as those provided by the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA) or the International Geothermal Association (IGA).

3 Manage your project effectively

After you have chosen your system type and design, you need to manage your project effectively to ensure its success. This involves planning, organizing, executing, monitoring, and controlling your project activities, resources, budget, schedule, quality, and risks. You should use appropriate project management tools and techniques, such as the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) or the PRINCE2 methodology, to help you with this step. You should also communicate and coordinate with your project team, contractors, suppliers, customers, and other stakeholders regularly and transparently.

4 Monitor and evaluate your project outcomes

Finally, you need to monitor and evaluate your project outcomes to measure its performance and impact. This involves collecting and analyzing data on your project's outputs, outcomes, and impacts, such as the amount of energy produced or saved, the cost savings or revenues generated, the greenhouse gas emissions avoided or reduced, and the customer satisfaction or feedback. You should use relevant indicators and metrics, such as the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) or the Internal Rate of Return (IRR), to help you with this step. You should also report and share your project results and lessons learned with your stakeholders and the geothermal community.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?