Key themes of the conference include financing, operating safety, local use of geothermal energy, public relations and international projects.
This well-established get-together for the international geothermal branch takes place from May 22nd to 25th 2012 in Freiburg/Germany. By now on four days it provides a wide insight into several aspects of deep geothermal energy supply. An early bird special discount is available until March, 31st.
On the first conference day the tri-national "Forum on geothermal energy in the Upper Rhine Valley" provides an outstanding possibility to receive an overview of current use of geothermal energy in one of Middle Europe’s regions with highest potential. Along with legal parameters and geological characteristics in Germany, Switzerland and France diverse projects are introduced.
The Forum is realized by TRION Energy network in co-operation with Enerchange. Simultaneous translation German-French is available. The following speakers have already confirmed: Lena Eggeling (EnBW Energie Baden-Wuerttemberg), Karl-Heinz Schaedle (Gruneko) and Dr. Albert Genter (GEIE Exploitation Minière de la Chaleur).
The second conference day contains a short course with focus on different aspects that influence the operating of geothermal plants. Furthermore, an all-day Kommunalforum in co-operation with VKU and Städtetag Baden-Württemberg takes place. In the afternoon workshops in the fields of public relations, developments in pump-technology and on international projects are on the agenda.
For municipal authorities the Kommunalforum offers an interesting view into experiences, that communities have made with deep geothermal energy Germany-wide. Amongst others the projects in Ried am Innkreis and Bad Buchau will be presented. The Forum closes with a panel discussion, with the participants Dr. Jochen Bauer (City of Weinheim), Johann-Martin Rogg (Badenova, regional energy supplier), Mayor Dr. Ralf Göck (City of Bruehl) and Hans-Detlev Hoehne (CEO Ueberlandwerke Groß-Gerau).
The peak of the IGC 2012 is the congress day on May, 24th. It starts with keynotes by Prof. Jeff Tester from Cornell Energy Institute and Dr. Peter Meier from Geoenergy Suisse. The following four discussion forums focus on exchange and cover the subjects financing, reducing costs and increasing efficiency, risk minimisation through investigation and operating experience with geothermal power plants.
Forum speakers are Prof. Dr. Eva Schill (Université de Neuchâtel), Prof. Dr. Hartmut Spliethoff (Technical University of Munich), Alexander von Dobschuetz (Bayern LB), Thomas Kölbel (EnBW Energie Baden-Wuerttemberg) and Wolfgang Geisinger (Geothermie Unterhaching).
Field trips to project locations in the Upper Rhine Valley plus an appealing social program complete the event. Along the Opening Lounge on the eve of May, 23rd the Business Dinner after the congress day on May, 24th is an inherent part of the conference. Both events offer excellent opportunities for networking and amend the professional exchange while the conference days. Robert Blood (Sigwatch) will see to it that there are lively discussions during the Business Dinner. He reports about motives and dynamics of interest groups as well as their conflicting position regarding renewable energy projects.
The IGC is organized by the agency Enerchange. The economic development and marketing company of Freiburg, the Freiburg Wirtschaft Touristik und Messe GmbH & Co. KG (FWTM) is co-organiser. Patron of the conference is the Federal Environmental Ministry; the European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers (EAGA) is the supporting organisation. Among others the International Geothermal Association (IGA), the Wirtschaftsforum Geothermie, the Swiss Geothermal Association and the GtV-Bundesverband Geothermie are co-operation partners of the IGC 2012.
Registration fees: Benefit from our early bird special (10% reduction) by registering before March 31th, 2012! For further information on registration, fees, conference program and the target audience, please visit http://www.geothermiekonferenz.de/en
Enerchange is a specialised agency on research and consulting services in renewable energy. The business activities of the agency are researching and analysing of sector trends and information, organising of industry events, and support of companies seeking and evaluating renewable energy projects.
The International Geothermal Conference 2012 (IGC) is taking place for the 8th time in Freiburg and is a well-established stage for the international geothermal branch. Every year more than 200 international specialists discuss about the latest developments in this sector of renewable energy technologies.
