Geothermal
Tetra Tech delivers science-based geothermal energy solutions to help clients assess, develop, and optimize sustainable, cost-effective power projects worldwide through advanced modeling and data-driven insights.
Tetra Tech offers our clients a full suite of geothermal energy development services. Using our Leading with Science® approach, our geoscientists, engineers, and environmental professionals bring deep expertise to our clients, from front end stages of geothermal development and due diligence to land use permitting, environmental compliance, and construction and post-construction support. We provide services for traditional and enhanced geothermal energy (power production), direct use, and geoexchange projects.
Additionally, Tetra Tech brings decades of global experience in subsurface engineering and wells, providing economic feasibility assessments, and delivering innovative combined heat and power solutions. Our deep bench of environmental permitting and technical resource expertise at the federal, state, and local levels supports energy permit strategy development, resource surveys, permit applications, and environmental compliance on federal, state, or privately-owned land in all 50 states. Whether repurposing existing infrastructure or developing new geothermal assets, we help clients harness reliable, renewable energy to meet sustainability goals and reduce carbon emissions.
Front-End Services
We evaluate the technical and economic potential of geothermal projects for our clients, helping them answer the “what if” questions quickly and efficiently in order to produce cost-effective and technically-sound strategies for subsequent development stages.
- Critical issues analysis and evaluation of potential risks, constraints, and regulatory requirements
- Early-stage resource assessment and field work studies
- Satellite imagery analysis, geological mapping, geophysical surveys
- Geochemistry sampling and analysis
- Geothermometry
- Pre-feasibility and feasibility studies
- Water management and treatment for conventional and unconventional geothermal systems
- Well design, drilling oversight, aquifer/flow testing
- Design, development, and permitting of groundwater heat exchange (geoexchange) systems
- Economic analysis using Tetra Tech’s proprietary pro forma costing model
- Permitting strategy and regulatory roadmaps
Project Development
Beginning at early-stage concept, we deliver project development and management services to our clients’ geothermal power facilities.
- Concession and power purchase agreement development and negotiation
- Transaction advisory support
- Private investment mobilization for national, federal and parastatal entities
- Technical, financial, and regulatory due diligence
- Capacity building and training
- Data collection, management, training, mapping, and GIS
- Drilling program management
Environmental Permitting Impact Assessment
Our environmental permitting and planning experts ensure compliance with federal, state, and local permit requirements, and international best practices and lender requirements, guiding clients through stakeholder engagement and mitigation planning.
- Constraints assessments
- National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) studies
- Federal, state, and local land use permit strategy and application development
- Environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA)
- Baseline environmental (biological, cultural, wetlands, noise, visual impact) and social studies
- Mitigation and monitoring plans
- Stakeholder engagement strategies including community outreach and Indigenous Peoples
- Sustainable development and carbon-neutral alignment
Due Diligence
We offer a comprehensive suite of evaluations to help developers, private equity and financial institutions, and governments make informed decisions.
- Acquisition support including evaluation of existing geothermal assets
- Technical due diligence (resource assessment, wellfield and capacity validation, and technology review)
- Financial assessment (project economics, CAPEX/OPEX, and return on investment)
- Regulatory and legal review (permitting, lease/land use, concession agreements, PPAs, and EPC contracts)
- Gap analysis against IFC and multilateral standards
- Technical and financial assessment of repurposing existing infrastructure like oil and gas
- Early-stage technical analysis for high energy-demand operations
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