40th GRC Annual Meeting: Call for Papers Deadline is Next Week

2016 GRC Annual Meeting Call For Papers

Deadline: May 6, 2016

Geothermal Energy, Here and Now: Sustainable, Clean, Flexible

The Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) invites you to present your latest technical work in geothermal research, exploration, development and utilization at GRC’s 40th Annual Meeting October 23-26, 2016 at the Sacramento Convention Center, Sacramento, California.

Successful selection to present at the Geothermal Resources Council 2016 Annual Meeting is prestigious and recognizes the presenter as a top industry expert. International participation is the key to the success of the GRC Annual Meeting technical programs and we encourage geothermal researchers and experts from around the world to submit their work for consideration to be presented at the GRC 2016 Annual Meeting.

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Science & Technology: Possible Geothermal Industry Collaboration?

Thermal Hydrolysis Offers Multiple Benefits To Wastewater Treatment Facilities (Breaking Energy)

Injected steam heats the solids and maintains them at a temperature of approximately 165°C and a gauge pressure of 600 kilopascals (kPA), or 87 psi, for 20 to 30 minutes

Thermal hydrolysis is an advanced wastewater solids conditioning process that boasts both financial and environmental advantages. With the process in wide usage across the UK, it is now starting to gain traction in the U.S., as wastewater utilities analyze whether their facilities would make a good candidate.

Injected steam heats the solids and maintains them at a temperature of approximately 165°C and a gauge pressure of 600 kilopascals (kPA), or 87 psi, for 20 to 30 minutes. Then the pressure is released. The combination of high temperature and rapid depressurization makes the material more biodegradable for the anaerobic digestion process that follows.

The thermal hydrolysis process (THP) increases the biodegradability of wastewater residuals, thereby boosting digester loading rates, increasing biogas production, and producing a biosolids product that can be used for land fertilization.

Knight said that many THP facilities include combined heat and power (CHP) systems to produce electricity. Some facilities are also considering conversion of biogas to renewable natural gas as an alternative to CHP.

Thanks to GRC Member Anna Carter, Geothermal Support Services, for the information.

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USA, California: Geothermal and Renewable Energy Presentations from Imperial Valley Conference

Selected Speaker Presentations from the 9th Annual Imperial Valley Renewable Energy Summit

The Imperial Valley Economic Development Corporation (IVEDC) held the ninth annual Imperial Valley Renewable Energy Summit March 9-11, 2016. The following are some of the presentations from the conference, especially relating to the development of geothermal energy in the area.

• Johnathan M. Weisgall- Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company.
• Andrés Rangel- North American Development Bank - Financing & Incentives
• Ali Ehlen- National Renewable Energy Laboratory - California 2030 Low Carbon Grid Study (LCGS)
• Michael Braken- Development Managing Group - Renewable Energy As Economic Development Catalyst
• Lic. Hector Castro Vizcarra- Ministro de Energía - Mexico Electricity Reform Overview
• Karen Douglas- California Energy Commission - Imperial Valley Sustainable Futures
• Sarah Friedman- Sierra Club - Benefits of Geothermal at the Salton Sea
• Rahm Orenstein- Ormat Nevada Inc. - Geothermal Energy and its Value
• Michael Cohen- Pacific Institute - The Salton Sea: The Next Chapter
• Vicken Kasarjian- Imperial Irrigation District - Imperial Irrigation District and Comisión Federal De Electricidad
• Carlos Miranda- Comisión Federal de Electricidad - CFE Opening for financing new projects
• Vince Vasquez- National University System Institute for Policy Research - The Economic Effects Of The Renewable Energy Sector In Imperial County
• Scott Haase- National Renewable Energy Laboratory - The Potential for Renewable Energy Development to Benefit Restoration of the Salton Sea
• Charlene Wardlow- Ormat Nevada Inc. - Ormat’s Geothermal Projects in Imperial County
• Brian Turner- California Natural Resources Agency - Renewable Energy Transmission Initiative v2.0

More information........

USA, Nevada: Opportunity to Tour 73 MW Steamboat Geothermal Power Plant Complex

Ormat’s Steamboat Geothermal Power Plant Tour In Reno, NV (U.S. Green Building Council Nevada Chapter)

Tuesday, May 24, 2016 from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM (PDT)

At this exciting event we will raise awareness about the green building industry by showcasing Ormat’s Steamboat Geothermal Power Plant!  The Steamboat complex, located in Washoe County, Nevada, consists of the six power plants with a combined generating capacity of 73 MW; Steamboat 2/3, Burdette (Galena 1), Steamboat Hills, Galena 2, and Galena 3 Except for Steamboat Hills, which utilizes a single flash system, all of the projects in the Steamboat complex utilize a binary system.

The electricity generated by the complex is sold to NV Energy under separate long-term power purchase agreements.

The Ormat Steamboat complex is the main source of baseload power for the citizens of Reno, Nevada. Come support and celebrate the work of the green building community. We look forward to seeing you there! Please contact 702-952-2468 for more information.

USGBC Member: $10.00, Non-Member: $20.00

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Iceland: Geothermal Conference Attracts 600 Participants

Recap: Iceland Geothermal Conference, April 26 - 29, 2016 (Iceland Naturally)

Kicking off Tuesday April 26, Iceland’s Geothermal Conference took over Reykjavik for four days of insightful presentations and speakers. With over 600 participants from more than 50 countries, this was Iceland’s largest geothermal conference to date. The conference covered critical issues in the development of geothermal projects.

With over 30 side events, including an event hosted by the Women In Geothermal group, paired with a networking dinner, the conference provided a great environment to generate discussions on geothermal development. Field trips to geothermal power plants, district heating and Reykjanes Geothermal Resources Park round out an exciting few days.

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Iceland: GRC President Participates in Global Geothermal Discussions

IGA Board in Reykjavik, Iceland (IGA)

The IGA Board meeting No 63 took place in Reykjavik, Iceland from 29-30 April 2016. Some of the Board members attended & contributed to the World Bank ESMAP Global Geothermal Development Plan: Roundtable 3 in Reykjavik from 25-26 April.

Paul Brophy, president of the Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) is also a IGA Board member and took part in discussions. The GRC has 1,109 members who also belong to the 4,839 member IGA (22%).

Members of the IGA Board, including GRC President Paul Brophy (far left) 

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Dominican Republic: IDB Funds Geothermal Survey

IDB wants to know if the country can tap its geothermal energy (DominicanToday)

(Courtesy CIA.gov)

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) will grant the Energy and Mines Ministry US$200,000 for a 12-month study of the country’s geothermal potential and to produce clean energy.

France National Geologic Survey (BRGM) executive Philippe Gombert and Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) representative Flora Montealegre signed the agreement, witnessed by Energy and Mines minister Antonio Isa, and French ambassador Jose Gomez.

The "Specific Agreement to Evaluate the Geothermal Potential of the Dominican Republic" aims to determine where there’s enough high geothermal energy to produce electricity in areas defined as priority and secondary in 1980.

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Iceland: World’s Only Major International Music Festival Powered by Geothermal!

Secret Solstice Becomes a CarbonNeutral® Event in 2016 (News Release)

One of the things that sets Secret Solstice apart from almost all other major music festivals on planet Earth is our use of geothermal energy.

While almost all events rely heavily on things like diesel-burning generators, or non-renewable sources of mains power to bring music to the masses, our on-site energy needs are provided by Mother Nature herself, in the form of volcano-powered and 100%-renewable geothermal power. This is one of the major factors that allows us to go green much easier than most of the planet’s major music festivals.

This means that from today, Secret Solstice becomes one of the world’s only major International music festivals that will be verified CarbonNeutral® in 2016.

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Iceland: Philippines Trade Agreement Opens Up Geothermal Opportunities

Iceland signs free trade deal with Philippines (Iceland Monitor)

“It gives Icelanders better access to Philippine markets and offers exciting opportunities, including in the field of geothermal energy.”

After almost a year of negotiations, a free-trade deal between the EFTA nations and the Philippines was signed in Bern, Switzerland, yesterday.

Iceland is one of four Member States of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), along with Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

“This deal is cause for celebration,” says Icelandic Foreign Minister Lilja Alfreðsdóttir. “It gives Icelanders better access to Philippine markets and offers exciting opportunities, including in the field of geothermal energy.”

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USA, California: Geothermal Capacity at The Geysers to be Restored to Pre-fire Levels During Third Quarter of 2016

Calpine Reports First Quarter Results, Reaffirms 2016 Guidance (News Release)

Calpine Corporation today reported first quarter earnings for 2016. Included was the following statement on Geysers Wildfire Impact:

In September 2015, a wildfire spread to our Geysers assets in Lake and Sonoma counties, California. The wildfire affected five of our 14 power plants in the region, which sustained damage to ancillary structures such as cooling towers and communication/electric deliverability infrastructure. Our Geysers assets are currently generating renewable power for our customers at more than 80% of the normal operating capacity and will be restored to prefire levels once repairs are completed, which is expected during the third quarter of 2016. 

We believe the repair and replacement costs, as well as our net revenue losses relating to the wildfire, will be limited to our insurance deductibles of approximately $36 million, all of which was recognized in 2015. Any losses incurred in 2016 related to the wildfire will be primarily offset by insurance proceeds, when such proceeds are realizable. We record insurance proceeds in the same financial statement line as the related loss is incurred. We do not anticipate the impact of the wildfire or timing of insurance proceeds recovery will have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Calpine operates the largest single renewable geothermal power resource in the world at The Geysers. Steam produced in naturally occurring underground reservoirs is brought to the surface where it drives turbines to produce electricity. Available 24 hours a day, this important renewable resource poses none of the grid integration challenges of other renewables.

According to the presentation published with the latest financials, The Geysers consists of 14 plants constructed between 1971-1989: Aidlin, Big Geysers, Calistoga, Cobb Creek, Eagle Rock, Lake View, McCabe, Ridge Line, Sonoma, Sulphur Springs and West Ford Flat.

Currently the net capacity at The Geysers is 725 MW which is 3% of the company's generation.

The GRC will offer two GRC Fieldtrips to The Geysers from the 40th GRC Annual Meeting & GEA Geothermal Energy Expo, October 23-26 in Sacramento, California, USA.

Europe: Geothermal News from EGEC

The EGEC Newsletter April 2016 - The Voice of Geothermal in Europe

The April issue of the EGEC Newsletter is now available.
Click here to download it. In this issue:

Editorial

• Statement on the electrification of the heating and cooling sector

Policy

• EGEC response to Consultation on Streamlining of Planning and Reporting obligations as part of the Energy Union Governance
• Time for EU leaders to back up promised with action on climate change: Statement from the Coalition for Higher Ambition
• Principles for an effective Innovation Fund
• Have your say: Public consultation on the development of the Energy Union Integrated Research, Innovation and Competitiveness Strategy

News

• Deep Geothermal European Technology and Innovation Platform Initiated
• Approval for start of works for CHP plant in Reichstett, Alsace, France
• New district heating set up in UK by Local Government and ENGIE 3
• New geothermal system for agricultural industry in the Netherlands
• Call for shallow geothermal projects in Pays de la Loire, France
• Studies on Employment in the Geothermal sector
• IRENA undertaking research on the gender breakdown of geothermal jobs
• Geothermal power plant developed into the world’s first hybrid Renewable plant
• Iran and Italy set to collaborate on Geothermal development
• EUROGIA2020 Call 04: Call for proposals on low carbon energy related research and development projects

Download the EGEC Newsletter.......

USA, Hawaii: Broken Lithosphere Could Explain Geothermal Resource

A Hole in Earth's Surface (EOS)

Research shows that a broken lithosphere underneath the island of Hawai'i could explain the island's patterns of seismic activity.

The deep seismic activity on the island of Hawai'i can be explained by
the weight of the volcanoes atop the Earth below. Credit: NASA

In a new study, Fred W. Klein, U. S. Geological Survey Earthquake Science Center, Menlo Park, California, USA,  proposes that the flexed lithosphere beneath Hawaii, coupled with the fact that the lithospheric plate beneath the island appears to be broken—it curves downward with a central depression—explains the region’s heightened seismicity. The resulting plate flexure forms a donut hole shape right underneath the island. The focal hole in the center lies approximately between Mauna Loa, Earth’s largest active volcano, and Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano whose peak is at the highest point of Hawaii.

The author used data taken from seismic stations around the island to understand the stress fields and focal mechanisms, which describe the slip that causes earthquakes and the orientation of the fault on which those quakes occur. The seismic data give valuable information about the orientation of the stress field and the pressure and tension axis. By analyzing the seismic data, the author saw that the pressure axis—the point where two planes compress—radiated from the center of the hole in the lithosphere. These radial patterns, according to the author, suggest that the downward-flexing lithosphere surrounds a weak region at its center. (Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, doi:10.1002/2015JB012746, 2016)

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Global: Membership Roster and Registry of Geothermal Services and Equipment - Available Now!

Available Now from the GRC! - Membership Roster and Registry of Geothermal Services and Equipment

The “Phone Book” for the world geothermal industry, the GRC Membership Roster provides contact information for more than 1,000 corporate and individual members of the GRC in cross-referenced lists for speedy access. In addition, this premier publication offers contact information for additional geothermal associations and a number of federal and state geothermal offices.
(Hard copy, 92 pages . . . . . $25)

• Order Your Copy Today! - Online
• Download Publications Order Form (PDF)

Call us at: (530) 758-2360, or E-mail: alay@geothermal.org 

GRC "Yellow Pages"

The Registry of Geothermal Services and Equipment portion of the above publication contains the "Yellow Pages" for the worldwide geothermal industry. Companies are listed with a description of their products and services. The Geothermal Resources Council provides these pages for free.

GRC 2016 Registry of Geothermal Services and Equipment from Geothermal Resources Council

GRC 2016 Registry of Geothermal Services and Equipment (PDF)

Iceland: A Canadian is Impressed by Geothermal Energy on a Trip Around the Island Nation

Brave, Beautiful, Renewable: Exploring Geothermal Energy in Iceland (DeSmog Canada)

Steam rises from the Hellisheidi station in Iceland, the world's 
largest geothermal power plant. Photo: Carol Linnitt.

A drive along Iceland’s ‘ring road,’ a winding narrow highway that encircles the isolated island’s 1,332 kilometre circumference, will take you from the sublime to the beautifully desolate in quick succession as views of snow spotted mountains give way lava fields, relatively young in geologic time at 800 years, covered in the country’s signature muted green moss.

But perhaps no natural feature is so stunningly otherworldly than Iceland’s geothermal activity.

The remote island is the outcome of upwelling forces, emerging in the volcanic seam between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. The result is a remarkably active geologic landscape, one pitted with boiling mud pots, meandering hot rivers and steaming caverns that open up out of a serene landscape like gaping mouths of Hades.

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USA, Idaho: 126 Year Old Geothermal District Heating System Still Going Strong

How Boise's Geothermal System Built In The 1890s Still Serves Much Of Downtown (Boise State Public Radio)

Since 1890, 177-degree-water has been pumped from the foothills to heat buildings and provide hot baths. It was the first of its kind in the country, serving Victorian homes on Warm Springs Avenue and hotels in downtown Boise.

These days, the system has made updates, but the basic science and product is the same. Geothermal Coordinator Jon Gunnerson says a lot of familiar buildings in downtown use geothermal energy -- like the YMCA.

A bunch of government offices, including City Hall and the Ada County Courthouse, use geothermal energy. Ten Boise State buildings are also on the geothermal line.

Read More........               Download Audio (mp3 file) 1:25 Minutes.

Science & Technology: The External Costs of Electricity Generation

The True Cost of Electricity: What we’re not paying for through our utility bills ( Environmental Defense Fund)

The price we all pay for electricity generally does not reflect the “true costs” of producing it. As described in a recent blog post, generating electricity creates harmful pollution, damaging the environment and public health. This comes with a cost, but it is not necessarily paid for by those generating the pollution or purchasing the electricity. These types of costs are known as “external costs.”

For example, a coal-fired power plant releases pollution into the atmosphere, which adversely affects the health of residents in nearby communities. This pollution is an example of an external cost because it causes health problems that neither the plant owners nor the electric users pay for (unless they live near the plant and pay the cost through their health bills).

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Bolivia: Central Banks Funds Construction of 5 MW Laguna Colorada Geothermal Pilot Plant

Central Bank of Bolivia to provide loan for 65 MW of renewables (SeeNews Renewables)

Includes funding for 5 MW Laguna Colorada geothermal pilot plant

Laguna Colorada geothermal facility (Courtesy ENDE)

The Central Bank of Bolivia (BCB) signed  a loan agreement on Tuesday with the National Electricity Company (ENDE) for the construction of 65 MW of renewable energy plants in Potosi department.

The bank will lend a total of BOB 849 million (USD 122.8m/EUR 108.5m) to ENDE to build the 60 MW Solar Uyuni photovoltaic (PV) plant and the initial pilot plant 5 MW Laguna Colorada geothermal facility. ENDE has plans for a 50 MW geothermal power plant in the full first phase expanding to 100 MW in phase two.

Currently, the country has approximately 40 MW of installed renewable energy capacity and in the period 2018-2019 it expects to reach about 500 MW of clean energy in total, the government said in a statement.

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New Zealand: Spudding Begins in May for 20 MW Te Ahi O Maui Geothermal Project

Te Ahi O Maui geothermal ready to drill (Gisborne Herald)

Geothermal plant will provide clean base-load energy and play role in meeting current and future energy needs.

Gisborne-based Eastland Group expects to encounter temperatures three times higher than the hottest surface temperature ever recorded on Earth when it drills into the Kawerau geothermal reservoir next month.

Following years of planning, the $100m Te Ahi O Maui geothermal project to build a 20 MW geothermal power plant 2.3km east of Kawerau is now ready to enter its first production well-drilling phase on land owned by the A8D Ahu Whenua Maori Trust.

Te Ahi O Maui project panager Ben Gibson said site works were under way to prepare the well pads and a well-drilling rig would be transported on site later this month.

A production well will start on May 10. The first stage of drilling, known as ‘‘spudding’’, will culminate in a 12cm-wide hole into the Kawerau geothermal reservoir.

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Canada: Call to Jump Start Geothermal Industry

Canada Has Enormous Geothermal Potential. Why Aren’t We Using it? (DeSmog Canada)

Stephen Grasby photographs Hellisheidi, the world's largest geothermal power station outside of Reykjavik, Iceland. Photo: Carol Linnitt.

Like a stand of eager horses chomping at the bit, Canada’s young geothermal industry is waiting impatiently at the starting line, ready for the race to begin.

But there’s no starting pistol in sight. At least, not yet.

Getting geothermal projects up and running in Canada “has been harder than it needs to be,” according to Alison Thompson, founder and president of the Canadian Geothermal Energy Association (CanGEA).

Thompson, along with a group of delegates from Canada’s geothermal industry, is currently in Reykjavik at the Iceland Geothermal Conference where delegates, experts and scientists from around the world are swapping stories from the geothermal trenches.

Despite having the second largest delegation at the conference after Iceland, Canada has little to show or tell.

“Canada has an incredibly high quality resource and we can’t even get out of the starting gate,” Thompson told DeSmog Canada.

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USA, Nevada: GRC Supports Geothermal, Hydropower, Biomass Baseload Conference

Summit in Reno to Highlight Future Role of Geothermal and Baseload Renewables (News Release)

Nevada leads the nation in geothermal development and has many innovative projects with experts representing various aspects of the Nevada geothermal industry attending the upcoming Summit.

In many ways, Reno, Nevada is the perfect location for June 2016's Baseload Renewable Energy Summit, hosted by the U.S. Geothermal Energy Association and co-host, Ormat. Second only to California in terms of geothermal-produced electricity, Nevada is transitioning to a clean energy grid at a fast pace.

Nevada's own Senator Dean Heller noted at an industry conference earlier in the year, "I want to see the day Reno is powered only by geothermal and solar energy. I want to make sure that my grandchildren will never have to put another dollar into a gas pump."

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USA, California: Charlene Wardlow is State Geothermal Program Manager

Geothermal Energy Veteran Charlene Wardlow Joins California Division Of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources (News Release)

GRC Member Charlene Wardlow, a veteran of the geothermal industry, has been named Geothermal Program Manager and District Deputy in charge of the Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources (DOGGR)’ Northern District, based in Sacramento. Wardlow will start her new role with the California Department of Conservation (DOC) on April 28.

“We believe that Charlene’s knowledge of geothermal energy will be a tremendous asset as we continue the reorganization and modernization of the Division to be more efficient, effective and responsive in its mission of protecting the environment as well as public health and safety,” said DOC Director David Bunn.

“We described the steps we’ll be taking to improve our regulation of oil and gas operations in our Renewal Plan, issued last July. One of Charlene’s first priorities will be to identify ways in which we can bolster our oversight of California’s robust geothermal energy industry.”

California is the United States’ largest generator of electricity from geothermal energy. In 2014, California received nearly 4.4 percent of its electrical energy from geothermal resources (about 13,000 Gigawatt-hours). The state has more than 650 active, high-temperature geothermal wells (with fluids over 212 degrees Fahrenheit) and 230 injection wells. The Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources oversees the drilling, operation, maintenance, plugging, and abandonment of geothermal wells on state and private lands.

Wardlow has 30 years of experience working in the geothermal industry, primarily in California. She has focused on environmental permitting and compliance and in developing new projects. Notably, her résumé includes working at The Geysers – the world’s largest geothermal energy facility – for 23 years. Prior to joining DOC, she served as Director of Business Development for Ormat in Reno, Nevada.

Wardlow is a long-time member of the Board of Directors of the Geothermal Resources Council, and received the Council’s Special Achievement Award for her work in the geothermal industry. She earned her undergraduate degree in geology and a master’s in petroleum engineering from New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology.

More information about the state’s geothermal program can be found at http://www.conservation.ca.gov/dog/geothermal.

USA: Interview with Warren Dewhurst of Dewhurst Group

Geothermal News Report

Phone Interview from Iceland with Dr. Warren Dewhurst who discusses breaking news regarding a new Latin American Mitigation Fund for Geothermal Development with IDA Fund Management and KfW!



(AUDIO 5:52 Minutes)

Vacancy: USA, Idaho: U.S. Geothermal, Director of Investor Relations and Communications

Employment - Director of Investor Relations and Communications (News Release)

U.S. Geothermal Inc., headquartered in Boise, Idaho, is seeking an experienced Investor Relations & Communications professional who can focus on the following priorities:

1. Build a strong, sell-side analyst following and maintain and grow buy-side participation
2. Promote the competitive advantages of geothermal as the most reliable renewable. It is baseload power operating at nearly 100% of the time, compared to intermittent wind and solar power which operate 25-35% of the time.
3. Assist management in developing and growing capital markets awareness and participation in US Geothermal as it executes its growth strategy.

The Director of Investor Relations & Communications will work to develop plans and materials that enable effective communications, relationships and partnerships. The Director will lead the day-to-day management of the Company’s Investor Relations function, working closely with the sell- and buy-side in discussing our business, articulating our strategies, and explaining our business results. 

The Director will be responsible for managing and directing all internal and external communications, media relations, and other stakeholder communications. This individual will assist in the drafting of all key corporate messaging and will help shape and define the Company’s strategy as it relates to our standing in our industry and with key stakeholders.

To apply, send resume with employment history to: info@usgeothermal.com

More information........

Montserrat: Drilling for Third Geothermal Well to Begin in August

Contract Signed for the Drilling of the 3rd Geothermal Exploration Well on Montserrat (Discover Montserrat)

Drilling will soon begin on a third exploratory well in the search for geothermal energy.

Montserrat Drilling Site on the Flank of the Soufriere Volcano, Bastien Poux, EGS, Inc.

The Government of Montserrat and the UK Department for International Development (DFID) announced Tuesday that the contract for the drilling of the third exploratory well at St Georges Hill in Montserrat was awarded to the Iceland Drilling Company (IDC).

A contract for £5.1m was signed on Friday 8th April 2016. It is anticipated that IDC will mobilize in July 2016 and drilling to commence in August 2016. Activity on the proposed site has already begun with work starting on site clearance, construction of the drilling pad, fencing, water supply and drainage.

The first two wells drilled on Montserrat are capable of providing approximately 2.4 MW of base load power. The main purpose of the third well is for the reinjection of the waste water from the power generation process.

However, if following drilling and testing, the third well offers more potential as a production well, one of the first two wells will be used for reinjection purposes.  The reinjection is preferred to ensure that the geothermal brine water which is separated from the steam will be disposed of, in an environmentally safe manner.

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USA, Hawaii: Geothermal Bill to be Discussed Today

Geothermal bill moves to conference committee (Hawaii Tribune Herald)

Hawaii state lawmakers will meet today in a conference committee to discuss the fate of a bill aimed at curbing the ability of counties to pass their own geothermal regulations.

The legislation passed both chambers, though the House advanced a nearly blank version known as a short-form bill.

Rep. Richard Onishi, who will participate in the conference, referred to it as a strategic move that kept the bill alive while forcing negotiations between Senate and House members.

“I think there are some concerns over the counties’ role in the whole process,” said Onishi, D-Hilo, Keaau, Kurtistown, Volcano. He said he preferred the original version that allowed counties to pass their own regulations for geothermal plants within a mile of homes.

The version the Senate passed would allow only the state to regulate how geothermal plants operate unless that power is delegated to the counties.

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USA, Texas: Power Plays: Geothermal Energy in Oil and Gas Fields Conference

Hot stuff: Could Texas’ dirty coal power plants be replaced by geothermal? (The Dallas Morning News)

A conference held today at Southern Methodist University (SMU), hosted by the school’s geothermal laboratory pulled together an unusual mix: Academics, oil company bosses, people hawking heat-transfer equipment, geothermal experts and a few environmentalists.

This was the eighth such conference held at SMU since 2006. Those who have been to several agreed that the biggest difference over time is that the presentations have shifted from blue-sky theory to some data from working projects.

Another presenter suggested that geothermal power could be an economically sensible replacement for existing coal-fired power plants, particularly if the existing power plants and their transmission lines are near coal mines. That’s the case in Texas.

GRC member Susan Petty, president of Seattle-based AltaRock Energy, told the group that many older coal plants will be unable to meet clean-air requirements and will need replacing in the next few years. Waste water used in coal mines could be injected into wells where natural heat would make the water hot enough to drive geothermal power generators, she said.

She did an analysis of five existing coal plants scattered across the country to see if the ground temperatures were hot enough to make the system work. She did not include a Texas site. But she said preliminary data looked promising.

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Finance: New Report on Geothermal Resource Risk Mitigation

Comparative Analysis of Approaches to Geothermal Resource Risk Mitigation (ESMAP)

Despite over 100 years of development and an estimated global potential of 70 to 80 GW, only about 15 percent of the known reserves are presently exploited and producing electricity.

The real or perceived uncertainty regarding the steam resource capacity during the early stages of geothermal field development makes it very difficult to mobilize the required risk capital, especially through the private sector, for the exploration drilling required to confirm the size, temperature, pressure, chemistry, and potential production rate of the resource.

Addressing this challenge is even more relevant given that the majority of sites suitable for development around the world are green fields (i.e., new fields), where the resource risks are often perceived to be especially high. A common theme that is apparent when reviewing global experience is that successful scale-up of geothermal development has benefited from some form of government facilitated support. While such support can come in many forms that can improve the overall profitability of geothermal projects, there are some schemes that specifically incentivize mobilization of risk capital into geothermal exploration drilling.

Read the Full report (PDF).........

USA: The Environmental and Economic Benefits of Geothermal

Studies Show Geothermal and Grid Diversity Benefit the Environment and Consumers (Renewable Energy World)

Tanganon Geothermal Plant, Leyte Island, Phillipines
by Cepi Budi Mansyur

Last fall, the California legislature passed SB 350, a bill that will increase the state’s renewable energy generation to 50 percent by 2030 utilizing resources like wind, solar, biomass, andgeothermal energy. This goal will be a first. No large-scale economy like California has ever attempted to transition to a grid powered in majority by renewables. With such high-reaching plans and only a decade and a half to deliver, where does the state go from here?

There are countries with grids which are almost fully powered by renewables, like Iceland, Costa Rica, and New Zealand, but none of these countries have economies as large, loads as complex, or are as geographically diverse as California. So the lessons learned from these grids may not be applicable to California. Most importantly is how will California accomplish this task responsibly so that carbon emissions are permanently reduced and the future grid saves ratepayers money on their utility bills?

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USA: Latest News from the Geothermal Heat Pump Industry

Heat Exchange Industry News (Geothermal Exchange Organization)

The latest GEO Industry News is now available from the Geothermal Exchange Organization (GEO).

Headlines and features in this month’s edition include:

• Action Alert! – Help Extend Geo Federal Tax Credits 
• Congress Misses Opportunity to Promote Renewable Energy - U.S. Senate Does Not Include Geo Tax Credit Fix in FAA Bill 
• Joe Parsons Named GEO Chairman 2016-17 
• Chairman’s Message - Building Momentum - Leadership and Cooperation are Key to GEO’s Future 
• Geo Renewable Energy Definition in Senate Energy Bill 
• How Electric Utilities Can Use Geo to Thrive in a Solar PV Environment - Guest Editorial from the New York Geothermal Energy Organization

The Geothermal Exchange Organization, a 501(c)(6) non-profit trade association based in Springfield, Illinois, USA advocates for the environmental, energy efficiency and economic benefits of geothermal heat pump systems for heating and cooling applications in residential, commercial, and institutional buildings in the USA.

GEO Industry News (PDF)

Iceland: New Geothermal Deep Drilling Project Will Tap Into 500°C Reservoir

HS Orka and Jardboranir sign a contract on deep drilling at Iceland’s Reykjanes geothermal field (News Release)

Drilling Rig, "Thor" (Courtesy Jardboranir)

HS Orka and Jardboranir have signed a contract for drilling of a 5 km deep, high temperature well at the Reykjanes geothermal field. Jardboranir’s biggest drilling rig, "Thor" will be used for the project. The well is intended to be the country’s deepest and hottest geothermal well, with temperatures up to 500°C. Drilling operations are scheduled in the second half of 2016.

HS Orka’s existing 2.5 km well at Reykjanes, well 15, will be deepened to around 5 km.

The contract realizes the next step of the Icelandic Deep Drilling Project (IDDP), but earlier drilling into superheated steam was conducted in the Krafla field. The purpose of the project is to demonstrate the possibility of harnessing deep hydrothermal high enthalpy reservoirs in order to augment the current conventional geothermal fields.

If the chemistry of the superheated steam can be dealt with, the well will be used directly for power production, potentially increasing the output of the Reykjanes plant.  If not, the well may be used as an injection well, increasing the output of the existing shallower production wells. New technology will be introduced for the drilling, testing and harnessing the deep well, in collaboration with domestic and international partners.

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USA, Nevada: Lithium Exploration Expands Next to Geothermal Power Plant

Nevada Energy Metals Expands Lithium Exploration Potential at San Emidio (News Release)

Nevada Energy Metals Inc. announces the company has increased the exploration potential of the San Emidio property by adding 69 additional claims to its land position. The property now includes 155 claims (approximately 3,100 acres/1255 hectares) in the San Emidio Desert, Washoe County, Nevada, 95 km northeast of Reno.

The additional claims were staked to cover a portion of the playa evaluated in 1976 by Chevron Oil Company (Phoenix Geophysics report by Bruce S. Bell) for its geothermal power potential.

The San Emidio Desert basin is an alkali playa environment underlain by unconsolidated sediments and clays being fed by Lithium bearing geothermal fluids (US. Geothermal analyses) reported in bounding faults, and/or faults along the east side of the basin. Since mid-Tertiary time, the rocks on the eastern edge of the San Emidio Desert have undergone extensive hydrothermal alteration and the presence of near-surface thermal fluids, suggest that the thermal fluids represent deep circulation of meteoric water (Moore, J.N., 1997).

The property adjoins the US Geothermal Empire geothermal power plant at San Emidio with production of 4.6 MW of electricity from a 155°C resource thereby providing a substantial heat source for the circulation of meteoric groundwater believed important in the formation of Lithium brine deposits as found at Clayton Valley, Nevada host to North Americas preeminent Lithium brine production. US Geothermal has reported anomalous Lithium values in the trace element analysis of their geothermal brines at Empire.

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Iran: "Could be 9th Geothermal Energy Producer "

South African Min: Iran can be 9th geothermal energy producer (irna)

South African Energy Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson said on Saturday that Iran can become the 9th geothermal energy producer.

She made the remarks in a meeting with his Iranian counterpart Hamid Chitchian. Pettersson welcomed presence of Iranian companies operating in energy generation from his country's renewable energies.

She said her country is willing to cooperate with Iran in photovoltaic and technology transfer. 'Our power networks are not stable and we hope Iranian energy ministry will help us provide sustainable energy supplies.'

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Canada: Call for Demonstration Geothermal Energy Industrial Park in Valemount

Supporters pitch geothermal geopark (The Rocky Mountain Goat)

Craig Dunn, Borealis Geopower, speaking in Valemount

Representatives of Borealis Geopower were again in Valemount last week to let residents know about a unique opportunity which could make Valemount the “geothermal ambassadors” to Alberta and Canada.

On March 31st, Alison Thompson, this time representing Borealis Geopower, though she is also the chair and co-founder of the Canadian Geothermal Energy Association, and Craig Dunn, principal and chief geologist with Borealis, spoke to about two dozen people at a quickly arranged meeting at Three Ranges Brewing Company.

Borealis is applying for what Thompson is calling a “super fund.” It’s a joint program between a federal non-profit organization called Sustainable Development Technology Canada and an Albertan organization called the Climate Change and Emissions Management Corporation. Borealis’ project is to build a demonstration geothermal energy industrial park in Valemount, or a “geopark”.

Borealis is proposing a small power-generating project at the Valemount Community Forest’s Industrial Park in Cedarside, with other small businesses using the “waste heat.”

Borealis has the permit to explore the Canoe Reach area for heat high enough to generate electricity – over 80 degrees Celsius, though they want to find much higher. Dunn says that project is still three to four years off.

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Indonesia: State Enterprises to Cooperate on 50 MW Aceh Geothermal Power Project

Converting to Gas will Save Semen Indonesia IDR 1 Trillion a Year (Katadata News)

Semen Indonesia and Pertamina have signed a memorandum of understanding on developing a potential partnership in the oil and gas business. Semen Indonesia’s president director Suparni and Pertamina’s president director Dwi Soetjipto signed the agreement at the Office of the Ministry of State Owned Enterprises, Jakarta, Friday (22/4).

The two state firms would also work together in the use of geothermal energy in Aceh. Pertamina would build a 50 MW geothermal power plant in Aceh. The electricity produced from the plant would be piped to Semen Indonesia’s factory in Aceh.

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Iceland: Project to Capture CO2 from Geothermal Advances

Haldor Topsoe and HS Orka hf sign contract for CO2 capture plant from geothermal sources in Iceland (gasworld)

Danish business, Haldor Topsoe, has signed an agreement with Icelandic geothermal power company, HS Orka hf, to deliver a plant to capture carbon dioxide (CO2) from geothermal heat sources.

The plant will be the first to use Topsoe’s new selective oxidation catalyst, SMCTM, to remove sulphur from the offgas from Orka’s geothermal power plant and produce commercial grade CO2.

The SMC catalyst will be at the centre of the new demonstration plant which will be located next to Orka’s existing geothermal power plant in Svartsengi, Iceland. This plant will process 10% of the total off-gas stream to produce commercial grade CO2.

The CO2 produced will be marketed to local greenhouses and algae producers to be able to grow products all year round – including in the long Icelandic winters.

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Zambia: Surveys Indicate Geothermal Resource for a 10 MW Power Plant

Kalahari Energy says Geo-thermal power is sustainable, environmentally-friendly (postzambia.com)

Kalahari GeoEnergy Limited says the Bweengwa River geo-thermal resource area contains compelling evidence required for hosting a hydrothermal system.

In a press statement issued by Kalahari GeoEnergy chief executive officer, Peter Vivian-Neal, the ongoing assessment of the Kafue Trough target results confirm a geologic setting conducive for geo-thermal hydrothermal systems. He also noted that there was a strong probability of a medium-low enthalpy geo-thermal resource that could support a power generation project of at least 10 Megawatts.

“Results confirm a geologic setting conducive for geo-thermal hydrothermal systems and also give a strong probability of a medium-low enthalpy geo-thermal resource that can support a power generation project of at least 10 MW. Heat-in-place, power density and heat flow methods were used, providing a consistent estimated usable resource capacity in the range of 10-20 MW,” Vivian-Neal stated.

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Egypt: MoU Signed to Develop Geothermal Energy

Electricity, Petroleum ministers attend inking MoU to use geothermal energy (Egypt SIS)

Electricity and Petroleum Ministers Mohamed Shaker and Tarek el-Mulla, respectively, attended on Sunday 24/4/2016 the signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to use geothermal energy.

The MoU was inked between the South Valley Holding Company for Petroleum (Ganope) and the New and Renewable Energy Authority (NREA).

 

The MoU comes within the framework of the cabinet's keenness on using the new and renewable energy so as to ease the pressure on consuming the traditional forms of energy (petroleum and gas).

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Climate Change: 171 Countries Sign Climate Change Treaty

Nations ink historic Paris climate deal (BBC News)

Map showing the countries signing the Paris agreement (blue) and those that aren't

Amid hope and hype, delegates have finished signing the Paris climate agreement at UN headquarters in New York.

Some 171 countries inked the deal today, a record number for a new international treaty. About 15 nations, mainly small island states, had already ratified the agreement.

But dozens of other countries were required to take this second step before the pact came into force. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said: "Paris will shape the lives of all future generations a profound way - it is their future that is at stake."

Speaking at the opening ceremony, he said the planet was experiencing record temperatures: "We are in a race against time I urge all countries to join the agreement at the national level. Today we are signing a new covenant for the future."

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USA, Washington: The Potential for geothermal Energy in the North West

Earth Day 2016: Moving Toward Green Energy ( Washington State Geology News)

What is Geothermal Energy?

Geothermal energy is thermal energy generated and stored in the earth. When most people think of geothermal they think of hot springs, fumaroles, and geysers. These are surface features that are linked (through faults and fractures) to the subsurface hydrothermal reservoir. Geothermal energy can be harnessed by drilling into hydrothermal reservoirs and extracting the hot fluids and/or steam.

Check out this Geothermal 101 video or this one on geothermal heat pumps to learn more.

Geologists and engineers can tap deep into a hydrothermal reservoirs to generate electricity, or use the shallow heat beneath the surface to heat and cool homes throughgeothermal heat pumps.

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Canada: Abandoned Oil Well to be Converted to Geothermal

Alberta Site of Canada’s First Abandoned Oil Well-to-Geothermal Conversion (Alberta Oil magazine)

The project will put the Leduc #1 Energy Discovery Centre on a path to become the world’s first carbon neutral oil museum

The Leduc #1 Energy Discovery Centre in Devon, Alberta is converting an abandoned oil well to capture geothermal energy—a first in Canada.

It is part of the $1.4-million Living Energy Project, which will put the centre on a path to become the world’s first carbon neutral oil museum, using renewable energy systems built by Western Canadian oil service firms.

“Alberta has nearly 170,000 abandoned oil wells. Converting them to geothermal energy helps oil companies’ bottom line, cuts down methane leakage, produces free energy and gets oil service firms back to work,” says Mitchell Pomphrey, manager of the Living Energy Project. “It’s win-win-win for the industry, taxpayers and the environment.”

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USA, Texas: Oil, Gas and Geothermal Cooperation Conference is Next Week

Conference: Power Plays: Geothermal Energy in Oil and Gas Fields (SMU)

The SMU Geothermal Lab is hosting our 8th international energy conference, Power Plays: Geothermal Energy in Oil and Gas Fields, April 25-26, 2016 on the SMU Campus in Dallas, Texas.

Hear experts present topics including oil and gas field geothermal projects, coal plant conversions, the intersection of geothermal energy and desalination, and large scale direct use. Don’t miss this opportunity to generate additional value from oil and gas fields!

A tentative agenda for the 2016 Power Plays conference is available here. The agenda is also available as a list of posters and speakers.

A pre-conference workshop on April 25th, A Primer on Geothermal Energy Resources, provides a focused introduction for those new to the geothermal and energy communities. The workshop is limited to 50 registrants to provide a classroom atmosphere with ample time for questions and answers. Four Continuing Education Credits given.

More information........                          Register.......

Kenya: Geothermal and Nuclear Technology Could Power Off-Grid Communities

Could the marriage of geothermal and nuclear technology be the way of the future? (ESI Africa)

A concept paper on the compatibility of geothermal and nuclear technology being a viable solution for off-grid communities by Ronoh Kibet, project engineer at KenGen

In a global context, geothermal energy has been labelled as one of the most reliable alternative renewable energy sources, which has proved to be both technically and economically feasible. In East Africa alone, there have been discoveries of an estimated 15,000 MW of potential geothermal capacity, according to the United States Energy Association.

However, development of geothermal power is undermined by the long development durations spanning from the drilling of wells through to their connection to a power utility. The cost, as well as the risk involved in drilling commercially viable wells, are enormous and require specialised geoscientific research to mitigate the risk of barren production wells.

On the other hand, nuclear technology has evolved from being conventional gigantic power plants, which cost over US$50 billion, to small portable sized nuclear energy reactors that are extremely secure and quick to implement. The portable nuclear reactors you find today are factory assembled, easily deployable and are completely secure and safe.

The power systems that are easily deployable are a favoured option for emerging and developing communities that are currently not connected to a conventional electrical source. To ensure energy security and sustainability, research institutions are examining which energy technologies complement each other best. With the abundant geothermal resources in East Africa, it is only logical to test nuclear and geothermal compatibility.

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Azerbaijan: USA to Help Develop Renewable Energy

Azerbaijan, U.S. to cooperate for developing alternative energy (AzerNews)

Azerbaijan has a potential 800 megawatts of geothermal energy

(Courtesy CIA.gov)

At a conference on Energy, Renewable and Sustainability that took place in Baku on April 22, Tom Weirich, senior vice president of the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) told local media that the U.S. is ready to support Azerbaijan in developing its alternative energy.

The total potential of alternative and renewable energy sources exceeds 12,000 megawatts in Azerbaijan including 800 megawatts of geothermal energy.

Akim Badalov, the head of the State Company on Alternative and Renewable Energy said an agreement had been made with the U.S. agency for international development (USAID).

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USA: Geothermal Cuts Carbon Pollution, Grows the Economy and Protects the Planet.

10 Carbon-Fighting Energy Technologies (EERE)

Blazing The Trail For New Geothermal Production

The Energy Department helps develop and deploy geothermal energy technologies that advance hydrothermal power production (pictured) -- where fluid flow and hot rock occur naturally -- and enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) technologies -- where fluid is injected into deep, hot rock formations to create a geothermal reservoir. The U.S. Geological Survey estimates there’s 30 gigawatts of undiscovered hydrothermal resource capacity and more than 100 gigawatts of enhanced geothermal potential, equivalent to 10 percent of today's energy needs.

Courtesy of Calpine Corporation

Happy Earth Day 2016: Have Some Geothermal Energy - You're Welcome

Why Geothermal?

Our gift to the world on Earth Day

Download as PDF

Commonwealth of Dominica: Geothermal Project Needs Private Investment - PM

PM Calls For Private Sector To Invest In The Geothermal Project

Prime Minister, Dr. Roosevelt Skerrit

Hon. Prime Minister, Dr. Roosevelt Skerrit, has called for private organizations to invest in the geothermal project which he considers critical to Dominica’s development.

The Hon Prime Minister was speaking at the opening ceremony of a Sustainable Energy and Climate Resilient consultation on Monday April 18.

The Prime Minister stated that as a small island state, Dominica is often placed in a difficult position where the choice is either renewable energy investment or other major developments that are needed in the country.

He says also too often small island developing states need to borrow money to reconstruct after the effects of climate change. This has a negative effect on a country’s GDP as these funds could be invested in the local economy.

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