This is the premier gathering to learn about the latest developments in geothermal energy. Last year, the GRC Annual Meeting & GEA Expo hosted representatives from more than 37 countries. Participants from six continents were present. In 2014, an even broader attendance is anticipated.
The GRC Annual Meeting will offer technical, policy, and market conference sessions, educational seminars, tours of local geothermal and renewable energy projects, and numerous networking opportunities.
“Portland was chosen as the site for this meeting because it is the gateway to a new geothermal frontier in the US Pacific Northwest,” said GRC Executive Director Steve Ponder. “Impressive geothermal sites and volcanoes are in the immediate vicinity and Portland itself has a vibrant downtown area with world class shopping and dining.”
The GEA Expo floor features a unique opportunity for leaders in the business to showcase their projects, equipment, services and state of the art technology to the geothermal community. Exhibit space still remains but is selling quickly.
“The GEA Expo will showcase the latest innovations that are taking geothermal technology to the next level,” said GEA Executive Director Karl Gawell. “We look forward to dialoguing with the many industry leaders expected from nearly every continent, making Portland one of the hottest venues for geothermal in 2014.”
While still a few months away, GRC and GEA reminds international participants to plan early to have enough time for processing required visas or other travel documents. For information on U.S. State Department requirements for business travel, go to: http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/visit/visitor.html.
In addition to the GRC Technical Sessions and GEA Expo Hall, special presentations for international visitors are being planned. These sessions will be announced soon, but will focus on presentations on international geothermal market developments, opportunities and presentations on U.S. company technology and project capabilities.
Geothermal energy is a firm yet flexible renewable energy source that can bring the reliability of 24/7 baseload power or complement other energy technologies by firming up more intermittent power generation. It can also provide distributed power generation from small co-production projects, with one of the smallest environmental footprints of any technology. Geothermal has the potential to help meet many U.S. states’ Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) goals as an alternative to fossil fuels. Recent breakthroughs in Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) technology for exploiting geothermal resources around the world raise bright prospects for the industry.
As one of the country’s leading geothermal prospects, Oregon has spearheaded new initiatives that move to recognize the values of geothermal power, leading the industry to be optimistic that state policies such as these could spark another period of growth in geothermal power over the next decade. In addition, Oregon Public Utility Commission changed its current methodology for calculating standard renewable avoided cost prices that might more fairly calculate the cost of geothermal power. Southern Oregon boasts a cluster of developing geothermal power projects that fall in a highly desirable Klamath Basin that geothermal developers are actively pursuing.
For more information about exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities, please visit geothermal.org or geothermalenergy2014.com. Student registration is complimentary with valid student ID.
Join the conversation on Twitter by following the GRC @GRC2001 and #GRC2014 or GEA at @geoenergist and #GEAExpo2014.
For GRC Annual Meeting information or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Estela Smith, 530 758 2360 or grc@geothermal.org. For GEA Expo exhibitor or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Kathy Kent Schott, 202 454 5263 or kathy@geo-energy.org.
To request press credentials, please contact Shawna McGregor, The Rosen Group, 917 971 7852 or shawna@rosengrouppr.com.
