USA, California: Golden State Independent System Operator to Use Flexible Ramping Product to Control Supply of Renewable Energy

FERC approves CAISO ramping product, rejecting calls to make it biddable (Utility Dive)

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) this week approved a flexible ramping product proposed by the California Independent System Operator (CAISO).

The product is designed to help CAISO with the growing amount of renewable resources on its grid and the uncertainty it causes in its day-ahead and real-time electricity market. FERC rejected calls from some distributed energy providers to make the ramping product biddable.

The operator's existing frequency regulation service addresses some of those grid issues, but CAISO opted for a new product to preserve capacity for regulation service and because using frequency regulation when a ramping service could be used could distort regulation pricing.

There will be a GRC Fieldtrip to the headquarters of CAISO from the GRC Annual Meeting & GEA Geothermal Energy Expo, October 23-26, Sacramento, California.

Read More.......

Global: Geothermal Energy News Website Continues to Grow

Global Geothermal News Reaches Another Milestone

Your favorite source for news from the global geothermal energy community reached yet another milestone this week.

Since it's launch in December 2011, Global Geothermal News has been viewed over 500,000 times.

Over that 5 year span just over half of the audience is from the United States, followed by Russia, Germany, France, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Indonesia, Philippines, Canada, and China.

Pageviews by Month

The growth over this time has been exponential as can be seen in the graph on the right. Global Geothermal News will continue to grow to expand in the future.

Almost 7,400 news items have been posted in the 5 years covering the geothermal energy community around the world. All of those articles are searchable from the search box available on the front page - a valuable tool.

Global Geothermal News is updated at least twice a day so you can rely on the site to provide you with the latest geothermal energy news.

You can also sign up to get a daily digest of the news by providing your email. A message will appear on your desktop with the latest geothermal energy news at about 2 pm PST.

The GRC is proud to provide this service to the global geothermal community. If you have any questions, or have any leads to stories we might have missed please contact Ian Crawford at icrawford@geothermal.org.

Indonesia: Exploratory Drilling to Begin at Bengkulu Geothermal Project

PGE begins geothermal exploration in Bengkulu (kontan.co.id)

PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy (PGE) will begin geothermal exploration in the area of ​​Bukit Daun, Rejang Lebong and Lebong, Bengkulu Province, starting mid October 2016.

President Director of PT PGE, Irfan Zainuddin, said the first 7 wells, had been drilled in Hululais, Lebong District. PT PGE will drill the first well at Bukit Daun as a preliminary step to determine the size of the geothermal energy resource.

"We predict that there is a potential of about 90 megawatts at the site of Bukit Daun. Right now, we've been building the infrastructure for the purpose of exploration," he said.

The company is targeting 310 MW of geothermal energy capacity in the area by 2024.

Read More.......

Science & Technology: Geothermal Energy - You're Needed....On Mars!

Why Geothermal Energy Will Be Key To Mars Colonization (Forbes)

(scifiideas.com)

If SpaceX founder Elon Musk truly wants to die a natural death on the Martian surface he’s not only going to have to get there, he’s going to have to survive there for years, if not decades.

The latter arguably requires some sort of long term source of energy. Initially, such energy could be provided by solar and radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs), but over a generation, Mars colonists will require some sort of in situ heat and electricity generated from the planet itself. Thus, why not tap into Mars’ potentially abundant sources of geothermal energy?

Geothermal energy, in the form of geothermal heat or either electricity generated via steam turbines from potentially hot geothermal reservoirs is the most viable option for near term Martian colonization.

Read More.......

Kenya: Geothermal Development Company has a Profitable Year

Geothermal Development's Turn to Profit Tilts Energy Mix (AllAfrica.com)

The Geothermal Development Company (GDC) broke the loss making streak to post Sh1.6 billion net profit in the full year ending June 2015 after inking a deal to sell steam from its Olkaria wells to the government.

The State-owned firm generated its first revenue of Sh2.5 billion in the period under review being earnings from sale of underground steam to the Kenya Electricity Generating (KenGen) Co to produce geothermal power.

GDC sold steam equivalent to 320 megawatts, helping tilt Kenya's energy mix in favour of geothermal power which is green and cheaper compared to thermal power.

Read More.......

USA, California: Good Summary of Progress in Renewable Energy in the Golden State

Renewable Energy – Overview (California Energy Commission)

California recently set a new goal to increase the renewable content of its electricity from one third to 50 percent by 2030. The state also has a goal to install 12,000 MW of renewable distributed generation.

The Energy Commission is tracking progress toward achieving its renewable goals and the status of permitting and constructing new renewable energy facilities in California.

The GRC Annual meeting & GEA GeoExpo+ will be held October 23-26 in Sacramento, California.

Read the document (PDF).......

United Kingdom: Important Renewable Energy Conference in Scotland

All-Energy 2017

10-11 May, Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC), Glasgow, Scotland, UK

The annual Call for Papers for the UK’s largest conference devoted to renewable and low carbon energy solutions has been published.

It appears both in a launch newsletter just hitting thousands of desks in hard copy and pdf formats, and online at www.all-energy.co.uk.

Last year the conference had a number of presentations on geothermal energy:

• Geothermal hot saline aquifer heat in Scotland: Potential and hurdles - Dr Ruth Robinson, Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of St Andrews
• The Hill of Banchory Geothermal Energy Project - Dr Michael Feliks, UK Operations Manager, Cluff Geothermal
• Deep geothermal heat at the new Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre - Dr Ryan Law, Managing Director, Geothermal Engineering Ltd
• Fortissat Minewater Geothermal Project - Dr Jelte Harnmeijer, Fellow - Renewable Energy, The James Hutton Institute
• Benefits of geothermal district heating networks (district heating vs isolation) and the current strategy in the Netherlands for developing geothermal projects - Dr Maurice Hanegraaf, Business Director, Geo Energy
• How can we build a sustainable future for our geothermal resources? - Kirsten Pasturel, Completion Engineer, Ross Engineering A/S

Read More........

Europe: Geothermal News from EGEC

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

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

Editorial

• Views from the outgoing and incoming presidents

Policy

• What’s happening in Brussels this summer?

News

• The new board of the European Geothermal Energy Council elected at the European Geothermal Congress.
• Innovation and action for geothermal horticulture in the Netherlands,
• Five heat project in the Netherlands supported by Green Deal
• Chevron understood to be moving forward on geothermal asset sale
• Drilling begins on the Reykjanes peninsula, Iceland, for the world’s hottest well
• How is risk mapped in Geothermal and Petroleum industries?
• Declaration of Intent on Deep Geothermal Energy endorsed by SET plan steering group

Projects

• COP21 – no Decarbonisation without Local Engagement on Heating and Cooling!
• Understanding RHC technologies- tools for consumers

Download the App for the Geothermal Energy Event of the Year

Geothermal Energy Event - We've Got an App for That!

The GRC are again providing a Mobile app for the GRC Annual Meeting & GEA GeoExpo+. It is now available to download to an iPhone, Android or Windows Smartphone, tablet or laptop computer giving event attendees better access to information and networking.

The mobile app also allows the GRC to post more information online and avoid print costs.

We strongly encourage you to download the mobile guide to enhance your experience at the GRC Annual Meeting & GEA GeoExpo+. You'll be able to plan your day with a personalized schedule and browse exhibitors, maps and general show info. You can browse all the essential information even without internet access.

After a simple download and installation the app can be personalized with your own schedule and notes on activities. When you sign-in to the app you will be able to interact with other attendees and build an on-site network. Attendees will also be able to post their own photos and comments to the app for all to see on the "activity stream".

Scan the QR Code

The App is a work in progress, updates are loaded as information becomes available and your feedback is encouraged as you get familiar with it. All questions and feedback can be sent to Ian Crawford at icrawford@geothermal.org.

Download the app now!.......

Canada: Geothermal Energy Project Advances in Hinton

Town of Hinton Announces Partnership with Epoch Energy (News Release)

The Town of Hinton, Alberta has announced a partnership with Epoch Energy of Calgary, to advance Hinton Geothermal; an innovative district energy heating system leveraging heat energy from deep, hot reservoirs in the Hinton area as well as a future goal of geothermal power generation.

Hinton's location is central to oil and gas exploration, well bore infrastructure, and the requisite geology to be repurposed for geothermal energy-an approach that is creative and novel in its vision.

There are 4000+ wells drilled below 2,500m within a 70km radius of the Town of Hinton, some of which have bottom-hole temperatures higher than 140 degrees Celsius. Through research to-date and general understanding of the region, Hinton is located in a hotspot of geothermal potential from hot water aquifers in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin.

Read More........

USA, California: Geysers Geothermal Field Wildfire Almost Completely Contained

Sawmill fire burning in The Geysers 95 percent contained (Santa Rosa Press Democrat)

The four-day-old Sawmill fire burning in The Geysers was 95 percent contained Thursday morning, according to a Cal Fire news release.

Fire crews have been battling the blaze since it erupted Sunday morning in the drought-stricken hills in the northeastern part of Sonoma County. The fire’s footprint was reported at 1,547 acres, up from 1,500 acres due to better mapping of the blaze, a Cal Fire spokeswoman said.

Evacuation orders and road closures were lifted Monday evening and the fire didn’t damage any of Calpine’s geothermal facilities, officials said.

Three GRC Fieldtrips will visit The Geysers from the 40th GRC Annual Meeting & GEA GeoExpo+, October 23-26, in Sacramento, California, USA.

Read More........

New Zealand: Geothermal Accounts for 22 Percent of Energy Supply

Energy in New Zealand 2016 released (Ministry Of Business Innovation And Employment)

Energy in New Zealand 2016, released today, is MBIE’s annual round-up of the energy sector, highlighting key trends in energy supply, transformation, demand and price for the 2015 calendar year.

The rapid increase in renewable energy’s share of Total primary energy supply (TPES)  since 2008 has been driven by increased electricity generation from geothermal energy and reduced electricity generation from coal.

As geothermal fluid is much lower in temperature than steam produced by a coal or gas boiler, the transformation efficiency of geothermal energy is significantly lower. The low transformation efficiency of geothermal energy (approximately 15%) contributes to New Zealand’s relatively high renewable TPES compared with most other countries.

In 2015, oil accounted for 32%, gas for 21% and geothermal energy for 22% of New Zealand's TPES. Geothermal generation set a new record in 2015 of 7,411 GWh, once again the second largest generation source in New Zealand.

Read More.......

Germany: Munich Utility Buys Two Geothermal Power Plants

Mehr regenerativer Strom für München: SWM kauft zwei Geothermieanlagen - More renewable electricity for Munich: SWM buys two geothermal plants (TiefeGeothermie.de)

Die Stadtwerke München haben die zwei Geothermieanlagen Dürrnhaar und Kirchstockach im Südwesten von München gekauft. Der Vorsitzende der SWM Geschäftsführung, Dr. Florian Bieberbach, erläutert dazu: „Wir freuen uns, dass wir uns mit HOCHTIEF und der BayWa einig werden konnten. Mit diesen zwei Geothermieanlagen steigt die Zahl unserer erneuerbaren Anlagen allein in der Region auf 43.“ Damit erweitert die SWM Ihren regenerativen Kraftwerkspark um 11 MW elektrischer Leistung.

Stadtwerke München has bought the Dürrnhaar and Kirchstockach geothermal plants in the southwest of Munich. The Chairman of the SWM Board, Dr. Florian Bieberbach, explains: "We are pleased that we could come to an agreement with HOCHTIEF and BayWa. With these two geothermal plants, the number of our renewable assets rises alone in the region to 43. "This extends the SWM your renewable power plants to 11 MW of electrical power.

Weiterlesen.......                           Read more.......

Science & Technology: Turning CO2 Emissions from Geothermal Power Plant into Stone

Iceland Combats Climate Change By Turning Carbon Dioxide To Stone (DOGOnews)

A team of researchers led by Columbia University professors, Juerg Matter and Martin Stute, have a new solution: converting CO2 into stone! The impetus for the radical idea came in 2006 after the President of Iceland approached the University researchers for ideas to reduce the nation's already low gas emission rates, even further.

Read More........

Major Names in the International Geothermal Community and Regional and National Politics to Speak at Geothermal Event

Speakers Announced for Geothermal Resources Council Annual Meeting

Major names in the international geothermal community and regional and national politics will address the geothermal energy industry at the GRC Annual Meeting in Sacramento, California, USA.

The Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) has announced more details of events at the world’s largest annual geothermal conference, the GRC Annual Meeting & GEA Geo Expo+, held this year at the Sacramento Convention Center in Sacramento, California, October 23-26.

The speakers at the Opening Session of the GRC Annual Meeting on Monday morning, October 24 includes major names in the international geothermal community and regional and national politics:

• Paul Brophy, President Geothermal Resources Council; 
• Dr. Susan G. Hamm, Director, Geothermal Technologies Office, U.S. Department of Energy; 
• Jan Smutny-Jones, CEO, Independent Energy Association; 
• Jim Kluesener, Vice President - Geothermal, Calpine Corporation; 
• Dennis Gilles, CEO, US Geothermal, Inc.; 
• Randy Keller, Director of Development, CalEnergy; 
• The Honorable Eduardo Garcia, California 56th Assembly District; 
• Andrew Palmateer, Director, U.S. Energy Association; 
• Bob Sullivan, Executive Vice President – Business Development, Ormat;
• Mike Long, Senior Project Manager, POWER Engineers; 
• Pierre Audinot, PhD, Clean Energy Program Leader, World Bank; 
• Gabriel Negatu, Regional Resource Center Director, African Development Corporation; 
• Gurbuz Gonul, Senior Program Officer, International Renewable Energy Agency; 
• V. John White, CEO, Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies; 
• Kevin Kelly, General Manager, Imperial Irrigation District; 
• The Honorable Mike McGuire, California State Senate, 2nd District; 
• Rhonda Mills, Representative, Western States Issues, Geothermal Energy Association; 
• Micah Mitrosky, Environmental Organizer, IBEW Local 569, and 
• Steve Ponder, Executive Director, Geothermal Resources Council. 

Entry to the GRC Opening Session is free to the public.

USA, California: Legislation Funds Projects for Mineral Extraction from Geothermal Brines

Governor Brown Signs Senator Hueso’s Geothermal Bill and Assemblyman Garcia’s Bills (News Release)

State Senator Ben Hueso (D-San Diego) announced that Senate Bill 1074 has been signed into law by the Governor. This bill helps existing geothermal plants operating in disadvantaged communities by funding innovative minerals extraction techniques at those facilities has made its way to the Governor’s desk.

“It is in our best interest to fund projects for mineral recovery from geothermal brines,” stated Senator Hueso. “The signing of this bill has the potential of putting the Salton Sea at the center of the map for companies which highly rely on lithium as part of their electric battery production. I am proud this project may help us reach our energy-efficiency and environmental goals and in turn create more jobs for our state. I am grateful to the Governor for making this a priority.”

Senate Bill 1074 specifically expands the eligible uses of monies in the Geothermal Resources Development Account (GRDA) to include projects to recover lithium, metals, agricultural products, and other beneficial minerals from highly mineralized geothermal brines at an existing geothermal facility that is in a disadvantaged community and provides local employment opportunities.

Read More........

Hotel Discount for Geothermal Energy Event Extended

Reserve Your Hotel Rooms for GRC Annual Meeting & GEA GeoExpo+ (News Release)

The discount for hotel room reservations for the biggest geothermal energy event of the year have been extended for a short time.

Reservations can now be made for hotel rooms for the 40th Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) Annual Meeting & Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) GeoExpo+, being held in Sacramento, California, USA, October 23–26, 2016.  All the events and accommodation are in one central location, at the Sacramento Convention Center and neighboring hotels.

The GRC has contracted with the Hyatt Regency for a discounted block of rooms for a limited time. There is a choice of rooms with either two double beds or a king bed starting at $145 a night excluding taxes and fees.

Attendees can make their reservations on a secure website prepared specially for the GRC and GEA. The link is available from the GRC Annual Meeting website at: www.geothermal.org/meet-new.html.

The GRC Annual Meeting & GEA GeoExpo+ is the industry’s largest annual gathering of leading geothermal energy scientists, producers, renewable energy industry stakeholders, regulators, utilities, and key associated business leaders. The four-day event will offer technical, policy, and market conference sessions, educational seminars, tours of local geothermal and renewable energy projects, trade show and numerous networking opportunities.

More information on the biggest geothermal event in the world in 2016 can be found on the GRC website at: www.geothermal.org/meet-new.html

Japan: Interview With Mexican Born Geothermal Energy Pioneer

The Geothermal Man (Highlighting Japan)

Enrique M. Lima Lobato

Mexican-born geothermal power consultant Enrique M. Lima Lobato is working to popularize geothermal power use around the world.

Enrique M. Lima Lobato is currently Executive Officer of West Japan Engineering Consultants, Inc., a subsidiary of Kyushu Electric Power Company and Senior Reservoir Engineer of the Geothermal Business Division.

Lima comes from Mexico, another country situated along the Ring of Fire. He studied nuclear power engineering at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, and visited Japan in 1971 as part of the first group of participants in an overseas study exchange program between Mexico and Japan.

Read More........

Kenya: Construction of 140 MW Olkaria Unit 5 Geothermal Power Plant to Begin before the End of the Year

Kenya set to construct 140 MW power plant (SINA English)

Kenya's electricity generating firm is set to being construction of (the Olkaria Unit 5) 140 MW geothermal power plant in Kenya before the end of the year.

Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) Geothermal Development Director Abel Rotich told Xinhua in Nairobi that his organization has already secured funding to the tune of 300 million U.S. dollars for the construction of the power plant.

"The process to identify the contractor will begin in October and so we hope to finalize the tendering process to select the contractor soon so that the ground breaking ceremony for the 140 MW geothermal plant to begin before the end of the year," Rotich said.

The power plant at Olkaria V, which is about 100 kilometers northwest of Nairobi, will take 18 months to complete.

Read More........

Croatia: Turboden Provides Unique ORC Geothermal Energy Turbine for 16 MW Velika Ciglena Project

Turboden Srl produces one of the world’s largest Organic Rankine Cycle turbines (News Release)

Turboden has designed and manufactured a unique single turbine of 16 MW electrical power to be operated in a geothermal power plant in Velika Ciglena (Croatia) by Geoen - MB Holding.

The Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) turbogenerator with a 5-stage axial turbine, designed and manufactured by Turboden, optimizes the performance with a rotation speed of 1500 rpm, while guaranteeing minimal vibration values (around 1mm/second) and smooth operation.

The Velika Ciglena project, which will start operating in 2017, will exploit steam and hot water at 170°C to produce electricity to feed the local power grid.

The region of Velika Ciglena is situated in the Bjelovar basin, in the north east of Croatia.

Turboden will be exhibiting at the GRC Annual Meeting & GEA GeoExpo+, October 23-26 in Sacramento, California.

Read More........

Turkey: Geothermal Heat Helps Grow Tomatoes in Cold Climate

Growing tomatoes at -46°C: Turkey’s first geothermal greenhouses (FreshPlaza)

The first harvest of tomatoes from geothermal greenhouses in the Çaldıran province of Van, Eastern Turkey, where temperatures can drop to -46ºC, is underway. The 34,000 m2 greenhouses heated by 120 kilometers of pipes were built with the support of the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock at a cost of 10 million Turkish Lira.

Yusuf Taşkın, project coordinator at the Ministry, states that this is the first time geothermal greenhouses are being used in such cold temperatures in Turkey, “investors are following us closely. Our success will not only bring investment, but it will also take geothermal greenhouses in the country to another level”.

Çaldıran Jeotermal A.Ş, the company which has invested in the greenhouses, expects to harvest 1,500 tons of the “Agro Van” tomatoes per year.

Read More.......

USA, California: Danger Passes from Wildfire at The Geysers Geothermal Field

Sawmill Fire Incident Update (Cal Fire)

The wildfire off Big Geysers Road and Geysers Resort Road, 10 miles east of Cloverdale, that led to the brief evacuation of Calpine's Aidlin geothermal power plant at The Geysers is now 85% contained having burned 1,500 acres.

Firefighters continue to improve, mop up and patrol the fire perimeter. Demobilization/or reassignment of resources has begun. Temperature’s forecast in the high 80’s. Lower temperatures and possibly some rain is expected at the weekend.

Read More.......

Indonesia: 25 Geothermal Projects Will be Auctioned by 2018

Indonesia Offers $420m Geothermal Projects in Sumatra and Maluku (Jakarta Globe)

Two geothermal working areas in Jambi and North Maluku, worth a total $420 million, will be offered by the government towards reaching renewable energy goals, a ministry representative said.

The latest two projects are the 110-megawatt Graho Nyabu power plant in Jambi, which covers an area of 109,000 hectares and has an estimated reserve of 200 megawatts, and the 20-megawatt Gunung Hamiding power plant in North Maluku on 42,100 hectares, with an estimated reserve of 265 megawatts.

Yunus Saefulhak, director of geothermal services at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, said investors can submit their offers by Oct. 20.

Two more geothermal projects will be up on offer later this month — the 10-megawatt Gunung Galunggung in West Java and the 20-megawatt Gunung Wilis in East Java, and two more are being prepared for auction — the 20-megawatt Marana in South Sulawesi and the 65-megawatt Gunung Talang-Bukit Kili in West Sumatra.

According to the ministry, 25 more projects with a total capacity of approximately 1,500 megawatts will be auctioned by 2018.

Read More.......

USA, California: Calpine Returns to Evacuated Aidlin Geothermal Power Plant

California wildfire forces evacuation of 300 homes (Santa Cruz Sentinel)

Firefighters made good progress overnight increasing the containment line and are working on pockets of unburned fuel within the fire perimeter. Firefighters will continue to work on constructing and improving the fire line. Temperatures are expected to remain high throughout the day. The fire has burned 1500 acres and is 55% contained.

Fire crews continued to battle a blaze burning close to a massive geothermal power producing facility in Sonoma County, officials said Monday.

A blaze that erupted amid hot, dry conditions and gusty winds in Sonoma County north of San Francisco forced the temporary evacuation of one of its 14 geothermal plants.

Brett Kerr, a spokesman for Calpine, which operates The Geysers geothermal complex, said evacuated employees were allowed to return to the plant, which started operating later Monday.

All employees were safe and accounted for and the flow of electricity from the facility was not disrupted, he said.

"Our remaining plants at the Geysers continue to operate normally and our team is constantly assessing the situation and will take all steps necessary to ensure the safety of employees and the preservation of our facilities," Kerr said in an email.

Read More.......

GRC Annual Meeting & GEA GeoExpo+

25 Days to the Geothermal Event of the Year!

GRC Annual Meeting & GEA GeoExpo+ features:

GRC Workshops:

• Conceptual Models of Geothermal Systems (2-days)
• Reservoir Stimulation (2-days)
• Best Practices in Operations & Maintenance (1-day)
• Geothermal 101 (1-hour special workshop open to the public)

GRC Fieldtrips:

• CAISO: Managing the Golden State’s Electrical Grid (½ Day – Pre-meeting)
• Recharging The Geysers (2 Days – Pre-meeting)
• Recharging The Geysers (1 Day – Pre-meeting)
• EGS in The Geysers (1 Day – Post-meeting)

Other Events:

• GRC Opening Session
• GRC/GEA Opening Reception 
• GEA GeoExpo+
• GRC International Luncheon 
• GRC International Session
• GRC Technical Sessions
• GRC Student Networking Reception
• GRC Mixer
• GRC Poster Session and GEA Expo Networking Reception
• GRC Membership Meeting & Awards Luncheon

Register Now!........

USA, California: Video Footage of Wildfire at The Geysers

Crews Battle Sawmill Fire In Sonoma County (KPIX 5)

Firefighters continue to battle the Sawmill Fire burning north of Cloverdale in Sonoma County. The fire has scorched at least 1,500 acres since it broke out Sunday. Anne Makovec reports.

USA, California: Comments Invited on Federal Plan for 250 MW at the Salton Sea

Opportunities for Geothermal Energy at the Salton Sea

Make your voice heard - The deadline to submit comments is Thursday, September 29.

The geothermal energy industry in California has a tremendous opportunity to contract for more capacity. The U.S. government has recognized the importance of geothermal energy to restoration efforts at the Salton Sea and is investigating the possibility of issuing contracts for up to 250 MW of new geothermal power plants.

A Request for Information has been published and the responses are due this week. The GRC strongly urges you to provide input to this important request.

The Department of Energy's Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) is seeking information on the availability for new construction of geothermal electricity in the Salton Sea area to serve regional federal load.  The deadline to submit comments is Thursday, September 29.

A robust set of comments from industry will help DOE determine steps moving forward, so if you are interested please make sure you submit comments by the deadline.

You can find the Request for Information, along with instructions on how to submit comments at: http://www.regulations.gov/document?D=EERE-2016-FEMP-0035-0001

Philippines: 20 MW Maibarara-1 Geothermal Power Plant Wins Regional Power Award

Maibarara wins 2016 Asia geothermal project award (The Manila Times)

The 20 MW Maibarara-1 geothermal power facility (Maibarara-1) in Batangas won the Geothermal Power Project of 2016 award at the Asian Power Awards held last September 21, in Seoul, South Korea, the operator of the plant said on Monday.

The Asian Power Awards, now on its 12th year, is considered the Oscars of the power industry in Asia, recognizing ground-breaking projects and trailblazing initiatives in the power sector.

The Maibarara-1 facility in Sto. Tomas, Batangas is owned and operated by Maibarara Geothermal Inc. (MGI), a joint venture among PetroGreen Energy Corporation (PGEC) with 65 percent), Phinma Energy (with 25 percent), and PNOC-Renewables Corporation (10 percent).

Read More......

USA, California: One Non-Operating Geothermal Power Plant Evacuated at The Geysers Due to Wildfire

California wildfire forces geothermal plant evacuation (The Seattle Times)

A wildfire that erupted amid hot, dry conditions and gusty winds in Sonoma County north of San Francisco was burning close a massive geothermal power producing facility on Monday, forcing the evacuation of one of its 14 plants, officials said Monday.

Brett Kerr, a spokesman for Calpine, which operates The Geysers geothermal complex, said all employees were safe and accounted for and that the flow of electricity from the facility was not disrupted because the evacuated plant was not operating.

“Our remaining plants at the Geysers continue to operate normally and our team is constantly assessing the situation and will take all steps necessary to ensure the safety of employees and the preservation of our facilities,” Kerr said in an email.

Read More.......

USA, California: Special Geothermal Energy Forum

Overcoming Technical Challenges to Developing Geothermal Energy Resources in The Golden State (DOE/CEC/GRC)

October 20, 2016, 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM PDT

California Energy Commission, Hearing Room A, 1516 Ninth Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 - Directions and Access Information

Building on the successful announcements by the President at the 2016 Lake Tahoe Summit to catalyze collaboration and action between the State of California and the Federal Government for conservation and renewable energy development in the Salton Sea, the U.S. Department of Energy, California Energy Commission, and the Geothermal Resources Council are convening a forum on October 20, 2016 in Sacramento, CA that will focus on overcoming technical challenges to develop geothermal energy resources statewide.

This forum will feature a diverse group of speakers from government, industry, and research that will help facilitate discussions to target solutions for new geothermal development while remaining consistent with critical Federal and State conservation planning efforts, particularly at the Salton Sea.

Registration is free and open to the public using the following link, but in-person capacity is limited. Remote attendance options will be made available prior to the meeting, and directions will be posted at https://geothermal.org/forum.html in the near future. The final agenda will also be posted on this webpage prior to the forum.

Please contact Katherine Young (katherine.young@nrel.gov) with questions.

Register Now.....

USA, Utah: State Geology Director on Enhanced Geothermal Systems Project

Utah Geological Survey is Major Partner in Large Geothermal Project near Milford, Utah (UGS)

By Rick Allis, Director, Utah Geology Survey (GRC Member)

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has begun a large geothermal project, known as FORGE (Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy), to establish a field laboratory aimed at advancing and developing new technologies

for geothermal power generation.

The goal of the FORGE project is to apply these hydrocarbon technologies to hot, tight rock to create fractured zones around geothermal wells. Cold water can be injected into one well so that it moves through the fractures and becomes heated before being intercepted by an adjacent well (the production well), releasing its heat at the surface in a power plant. 

This technology is sometimes called Enhanced, or Engineered, Geothermal Systems.

Read More........

Africa: 7 GW of Geothermal Energy Projects to be Funded by COP 21

COP21 to account 240 renewable appetite projects in Africa (SeeNews Renewables)

Ségolène Royal, President of the COP 21 climate change process has announced the funding of 45 GW of renewable energy projects in Africa including 7 GW of geothermal energy.

The list, representing a capacity of about 45 GW of renewable power, includes 62 solar energy projects with a combined capacity of 6 GW, 16 projects for a total of 5 GW of wind energy, 13 projects or 7 GW of geothermal energy, 58 hydroelectricity projects  (20 GW), 35 projects combining more than one technology (1 GW ) and 4 national strategies for adding 8 GW solar and wind energy.

Read More........

Indonesia: Government Wants 7,200 Megawatts of Geothermal Energy by 2025

Indonesia struggles to tap volcano power (The Manila Times)

(Courtesy CIA.gov)

The Indonesian government is aiming to increase Indonesia’s geothermal generating capacity to around 7,200 megawatts by 2025, as part of a broader plan to boost the renewables sector, which would likely make it the world’s top producer of the power source.

A major part of the drive is a law passed two years ago that means geothermal exploration is no longer considered mining activity, as it was previously.

The old definition had held up the industry as mining cannot be carried out in the country’s vast tracts of protected forests, believed to contain about two-thirds of Indonesia’s geothermal reserves.

The government is also seeking to sweeten local administrations — which had sometimes resisted the construction of the steam-belching facilities — by offering them up to one percent of revenue from any geothermal plant in their area.

Abadi Poernomo, chief of the Indonesian Geothermal Association, which represents companies involved in the sector, is upbeat about future prospects: “A lot of investors from abroad are coming to Indonesia with the intent to develop geothermal”.

Read More.......

USA, California: Another Wildfire Threatens The Geysers Geothermal Field

Wildfire Prompts Mandatory Evacuations Near Cloverdale (KGO)

The Sawmill Fire, burning 10 miles east of Cloverdale (Sonoma County) is now 1500 acres and 20% contained. Mandatory evacuations in place and there are road closures. - Latest Information.......

Firefighters are battling a wildfire near Cloverdale in unincorporated Sonoma County Sunday afternoon that has prompted mandatory evacuations.

The wildfire burned at least 500 acres earlier and quickly grew to 1,500 acres shortly after 6:00 p.m.

Officials said the wildfire broke out at 11 a.m. near Geysers and Geysers Resort roads, just 10 miles east of Cloverdale.

At least 36 homes have been evacuated since flames broke out. No injuries have been reported and no structures have been damaged or destroyed at this time, Cal Fire Capt. Tiffany Mercado said.

The nearest Geothermal power plants to the fire are McCabe (Geysers Unit 14), Sulphur Spring (Geysers Unit 14) and Cobb Creek (Geysers Unit 12).

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USA, California: Registration Now Open for Courses on Transport of Unsaturated Groundwater and Heat (TOUGH)

TOUGH Training Courses (LBNL)

The TOUGH (Transport of Unsaturated Groundwater and Heat) Steering Committee is preparing a set of TOUGH Short Courses to be offered October 31 - November 9, 2016.

TOUGH2, TOUGHREACT, iTOUGH2, and TREACTMECH will be offered at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in Berkeley, California, by members of the TOUGH development team.

• TOUGH2 Beginner's Short Course
  October 31 - November 2, 2016 (ends at noon on Wednesday)
• TOUGHREACT Short Course
  November 2 - 4, 2016 (begins at 1:00 pm on Wednesday)
• iTOUGH2 Short Course
  November 2 - 4, 2016 (begins at 1:00 pm on Wednesday)
• TREACTMECH Short Course
  November 7 -9, 2016

More Information........

Lodging and transportation information is available at this website.

Indonesia: Auction Announced for 20 MW Gunung Hamiding Geothermal Working Area

Pengumuman Lelang WKP Gunung Hamiding - Announcement of the Auction of Mount Hamiding Geothermal Working Area

Download the announcement......

Hotel Discount for Geothermal Energy Event Ends September 28

Reserve Your Hotel Rooms for GRC Annual Meeting & GEA GeoExpo+ (News Release)

The discount for hotel room reservations for the biggest geothermal energy event of the year will end next Wednesday, September 28.

Reservations can now be made for hotel rooms for the 40th Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) Annual Meeting & Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) GeoExpo+, being held in Sacramento, California, USA, October 23–26, 2016.  All the events and accommodation are in one central location, at the Sacramento Convention Center and neighboring Sheraton Grand and Hyatt Regency hotels.

The GRC has contracted with the Sheraton Grand and Hyatt Regency for a discounted block of rooms. At both hotels there is a choice of rooms with either two double beds or a king bed starting at $145 a night excluding taxes and fees. The discount ends September 28.

Attendees can make their reservations on secure websites prepared specially for the GRC and GEA. The links are available from the GRC Annual Meeting website at: www.geothermal.org/meet-new.html.

The GRC Annual Meeting & GEA GeoExpo+ is the industry’s largest annual gathering of leading geothermal energy scientists, producers, renewable energy industry stakeholders, regulators, utilities, and key associated business leaders. The four-day event will offer technical, policy, and market conference sessions, educational seminars, tours of local geothermal and renewable energy projects, trade show and numerous networking opportunities.

More information on the biggest geothermal event in the world in 2016 can be found on the GRC website at: www.geothermal.org/meet-new.html

The Latest News in Audio from the Geothermal News Report

Geothermal News Report

The Geothermal News Report (GNR) is a periodic podcast wrapping up the top stories in the geothermal industry.



(AUDIO 2:51 Minutes)

Geothermal Energy Photos in Prestigious Competition

GRC Amateur Geothermal Photo Contest 2016

All 90 entries in the GRC Photo Contest.



All the photos will be on display at the 40th GRC Annual Meeting & GEA GeoExpo+ from October 23-26 at the Sacramento Convention Center, Sacramento, California, USA. The winners will be announced in early October.

Great Video on Sacramento, the Venue for the GRC Annual Meeting & GEA GeoExpo+

A long road makes success that much sweeter (SMUD)

The 40th GRC Annual Meeting & GEA GeoExpo+ will be held October 23-26 at the Sacramento Convention Center.

Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) is sponsoring the GRC Annual Meeting with funds for the GRC Mobile App, Poster Session Printing costs and the Student Poster Awards. Thank you SMUD.


From nearly losing the Kings to an accelerating downtown renaissance, the last few years have been quite a journey for our city and region. But of course, a long road makes success that much sweeter. Well done, Sacramento.

(Video - 2:50 Minutes)

St. Kitts and Nevis: Drilling Rig to Arrive at Geothermal Energy Project in Next Few Weeks

Nevis Geothermal Project Moving Along; Production Drill Rig Expected Shortly (WINN FM)

Residents of Nevis will soon see tangible activity related to the geothermal development project on the island.

Word of that development came from Premier of Nevis and Minister of Finance in the Nevis Island Administration Hon. Vance Amory when he delivered an address at the 10th annual Consultation on the economy hosted by the Ministry of Finance.

"The geothermal project, the geothermal energy, we have been advised the developers with whom we have contracted to develop the program here in Nevis will have their drill rig in Nevis at the end of this month or at the latest by the middle of next month to carry on the exploration, to have the production wells done," he said.

Read More.......

Science & Technology: What is Magma?

We Need a New Definition for “Magma” (EOS)

 Credit: iStock.com/Justin Reznick

Confusion over the meaning of "magma" can generate popular misperceptions, including a nonexistent molten sea underneath Yellowstone National Park. We propose a different definition.

Magma is a fundamental constituent of the Earth. Issues as diverse as volcanic hazard assessment and planetary evolution studies rely on knowledge of magma’s properties, origin, evolution, and significance. Thus, the definition of “magma” should be simple and universally agreed upon, but the term means fundamentally different things to different people.

We want to start a conversation about a more precise definition of “magma.” We suggest this as a starting point:

Magma: naturally occurring, fully or partially molten rock material generated within a planetary body, consisting of melt with or without crystals and gas bubbles and containing a high enough proportion of melt to be capable of intrusion and extrusion.

(Thanks to GRC Member Marcelo Lippmann, Staff Scientist (retired) at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory for the submission.)

Read More........

GRC Annual Meeting & GEA GeoExpo+ - Register Now and Save!

Early Bird Registration Deadline for GRC Annual Meeting is Tonight! (News Release)

Save up to $150 for this premier geothermal energy event by registering before midnight tonight

The deadline for early-bird rates for registration for the biggest annual geothermal event is today, Friday, September 23. The GRC Annual Meeting & GEA GeoExpo+ will bring together geothermal companies, academics, financiers, policy leaders, students, and other individuals to attend or exhibit at the event, to be held from October 23 to 26 at the Sacramento Convention Center, Sacramento, California, USA.

Early birds who register before September 24 pay only $795 as GRC members or $995 if non-members. The non-member registration includes GRC membership through 2017. Students with a current identification card from an accredited institution pay just $5 which also includes GRC membership through 2017. Registration to the GRC Annual Meeting also includes entry to the GEA GeoExpo+ trade show.

Registration is available from the GRC website at www.geothermal.org. A Preliminary Program complete with a Registration Form is available to view and download. However, the GRC recommends online registration through a secured connection. The link is also available on the front page of the GRC website at www.geothermal.org.

The deadline for discounted hotel room rates is September 28. Hotel room reservations can be made by following a link from the GRC website at www.geothermal.org. Book now as there are only a certain number of discounted rooms available.

Science & Technology: New Book on Geothermal Energy Exploration

Geothermal Exploration - Global Strategies and Applications (IGA)

Authors: Colin Harvey, Graeme Beardsmore. Inga Moeck and Horst Rüter

Geothermal Exploration introduces the subject of geothermal energy and its development around the world.

The text defines a series of 'geothermal play types' based on geological setting and then presents strategies and methodologies appropriate for each play type to move a geothermal exploration program to the stage of committing to exploration drilling.

These methodologies include permitting, environmental, geology, geochemistry, geophysics and remote sensing techniques used throughout the world for specific play types. The book covers a large number of geoscientific techniques and focuses on their applications to both convective and conductive geothermal systems, with extensive reference to the international literature.

Price: EUR 43 or USD 48. Order from the IGA.......

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France: 1.7MWe Soultz-sous-Forêt Geothermal Energy Plant Inaugurated

Soultz-sous-Forêt : la centrale de géothermie produit désormais de l'électricité à l'échelle industrielle - Soultz-sous-Forêt: geothermal plant now produces electricity on an industrial scale (France Bleu)

Après 30 ans de recherche, le laboratoire scientifique de géothermie de Soultz-sous-Forêts devient un site industriel. La centrale, en service depuis juin, a été inaugurée ce vendredi.

After 30 years of research, the geothermal scientific laboratory at Soultz-sous-Forêts is in industrial operation. The plant, in operation since June, was inaugurated on Friday.

Lire la suite......           Read More......

Netherlands: Vote to Cut CO2 Emissions Should Boost Renewable Energy

Dutch parliament votes to close down country's coal industry (The Guardian)

The Dutch parliament has voted for a 55% cut in CO2 emissions by 2030, which would require the closure of all the country’s coal-fired power plants.

The unexpected vote on Thursday night by 77 to 72 would bring the Netherlands clearly into line with the Paris climate agreement, with some of the most ambitious climate policies in Europe.

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USA, Nevada: More Lithium Sourced from Geothermal Brines Found in Black Rock Desert

Soil Survey Shows Strong Lithium Results at the Nevada Energy Metals Black Rock Desert Project (News Release)

Vancouver based Nevada Energy Metals Inc. has announced that a surface sampling program designed to test for lithium (Li) values in playa evaporates has returned significant geochemical results at the company’s 100% owned Black Rock Desert Project in Nevada. 

Results ranged from 82.8 to 520 parts per million (ppm) lithium with a median value of 182 ppm. Twelve samples carried over 300 ppm Li.

The company plans to carry out additional exploration programs this fall to determine the potential for an economic lithium brine deposit. Future exploration will consist of shallow auger sampling followed by a high resolution geophysical program to define potential drill targets.

Read More........