Guatemala: Canadian Company Finally Acquires Mita Geothermal Project

Bluestone Completes Acquisition of the Cerro Blanco Gold and Mita Geothermal Projects from Goldcorp (News Release)

Vancouver-based Bluestone Resources Inc. has announced that the company has closed the acquisition of the Cerro Blanco Project and the Mita Geothermal Project located in Guatemala from Goldcorp Inc., also based in Vancouver, effective May 31, 2017.

Concurrent with the closing, the proceeds of the previously completed $80 million private placement financing were released from escrow.
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USA: Presentations from Upstream E&P, Corrosion and Scaling, and Geothermal Energy Workshop

SPE/GRC Workshop: High-Temperature and Corrosion in Drilling and Production - Exploring Geothermal and Oil and Gas Synergies

21-22 Mar 2017, San Diego, California, USA


This joint workshop brought together researchers, engineers, and field technicians concerned with Upstream E&P, Corrosion and Scaling, and Geothermal Energy. Exploring themes common to these related fields through case studies and applications, this event improved the ability to develop downhole resources safely and efficiently.

The following presentations have been made available by their authors:

• Corrosion and scaling in carbon steel casing and tubing
  Marion Seiersten, Institute for Energy Technology
• Pipe Materials in Reykjanes Geothermal Environment
  Geir Þórólfsson, HS Orka
• Casing Connection Selection for Geothermal Applications Using Input From HPHT and Thermal Wells Testing Protocols
  Mustaffa Merliahmad, Tenaris
• Combatting HCl Acid-Dewpoint Corrosion at The Geysers
  John Farison, Calpine Corporation
• Job execution / Case study
  José Luis Cervantes, Resource Cementing
• High-Temperature Self-Healing Geothermal Cement Composites
  Tatiana Pyatina and Toshifumi Sugama Brookhaven National Laboratory
• Best Practice Corrosion/Erosion Monitoring and Critical Process Indicators Salton Sea KGRA
  Dr. Dan Hoyer, PE Veizades & Associates, Inc.
• Commissioning Geothermal Flash Plants - A Systematic Approach
  Kevin Wallace, POWER Engineers, Inc.
• Well Integrity Improvement Using High Temperature Swellable Technology
  Tim Davis, Director of Technology TAM International
• Injection of Hyper-saline Brine at the Salton Sea Field -Challenges and Benefits - Steve Butler, Hudson Ranch Energy Services and Jon Trujillo, BHE-Geothermal/ Cal Energy

More Information.........

GRC Annual Meeting & GEA GeoExpo+

2017 Sponsorship Opportunities Now Available! Sign Up Today! (News Release)

Sponsorships for the GRC Annual Meeting & GEA GeoExpo+ are now available. These are great opportunities for companies to get more exposure at the largest annual geothermal gathering in the world.

The 2017 event will take place in Salt Lake City, Utah from October 1st through the 4th. The four-day event will offer technical, policy, and market conference sessions, educational seminars, tours of local geothermal and renewable energy projects, an expo and numerous networking opportunities.

Make the geothermal community take notice, become a sponsor now!

• GRC Only Sponsorships
• GRC/GEA Mutual Sponsorships

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Indonesia: Roland Horne Hosts a Week-Long Workshop on Well Test Analysis

Modern Well Test Analysis – A 5 day course by Dr. Roland N. Horne (LDI Training)

21-25 August, Bandung, Indonesia

Dr. Roland N. Horne

In this 5-day well test analysis courses, Dr. Roland N. Horne, a Professor from Stanford University (and GRC Member), will personally show you how to:

• Interpret well test to determine reservoir properties
• Analyze transient well data to diagnose well condition
• Design well tests for maximum efficiency and success
• Use computer-aided interpretation tools

This course consists of lecture presentations and doing exercises using PC’s and software featuring all the latest analysis techniques. The course will use commonly applied commercial well test interpretation software, which will allow the attendees to practice analyzing all the 35 included well test examples, using the same tools likely to be used every day in their companies.

More Information.........                 Registration.........

Greece: Successful Geothermal Workshop Held on Santorini

EuroWorkshop on Geothermal Energy: EFG taking action today for better energy sources tomorrow (eurogeologists)

The European Federation of Geologists (EFG) and the Association of Greek Geologists (AGG) co-organised the first EuroWorkshop on Geothermal Energy in Fira on the island of Santorini (Greece) on 18 and 19 May 2017, after a field trip on 17 May 2017.

On the 17 May, the attendees were first offered the opportunity to take part in an optional field trip that aimed at educating them on the geological importance of the ancient settlement of Akrotiri, as well as introducing them to the exposed geological section to the coastal zone of Red Beach.

On 18 May, the first official day of the EuroWorkshop consisted in an entire day of presentations and debates covering the many topics related to geothermal energy, such as metal recovery, fluid-rock reactions, conversion of metallic mineral formations into orebody enhanced geothermal systems, power generation from geothermal brines, thanks to the participation of highly qualified speakers. Making the best of the location of Santorini, the participants also discussed the geothermal specificities and potential of the Greek island and had the opportunity to further interact through a very active panel session. Finally, as a reflection of how the future of geothermal energy is already written today, the attendees discovered some promising projects from across the globe, from Nicaragua to Ireland, Germany, Portugal, Romania and Greece.

On 19 May, the second day of the EuroWorkshop offered the possibility to attendees to further explore the location by taking part in a field trip to the Caldera of Santorini, first with a visit of the volcano craters and the successive layers from the eruption events at Nea Kameni, followed by an exploration of a geothermal borehole at Palea Kameni island.

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Greece: New Spa Powered by Geothermal Waters from Mount Olympus!

The biggest thermal spa in the Balkans is located in Chalkidiki, Greece (TornosNews.gr)

The Miraggio Thermal Spa Resort is the largest spa with thermal water in the Balkans and it is located in Chalkidiki, in northern Greece. 

Located in the Kanistros area on the first leg of Chalkidiki it was built in 2014 on a hot natural source of iodized water rather than sulfur, as originally assumed. Seeking to find where they came from, they saw that it was connected to Mount Olympus.

The source of "Myrthia Thermal Spa", known as Canister Water, is recognized by the National Commission for the Protection of Water Resources as a hot natural source. Canister Water reaches the surface at a temperature of about 32°C passing through primitive rocks at a depth of 270 meters. Its metallic composition is formed during its course while its temperature decreases at the end of the upward movement due to its mixing with cooler surface waters.

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Indonesia: Funding to Help Minimize Risks During Geothermal Resource Exploration Stage

New regulation opens way for geothermal sector’s infrastructure financing (Jakarta Post)

(Courtesy CIA.gov)

The Indonesian Finance Ministry recently issued a new ministerial decree regulating the management of funds for the geothermal sector by state-owned infrastructure financing company PT Sarana Multi Infrastruktur (SMI).

The new decree stipulates that SMI will be able to supply funds to be used for loans, capital or exploration activities to compile data.

SMI's funding is expected to help minimize the risks that come with the large investments needed during the exploration stage, which has led to a lack of eagerness from prospective investors.

The government hopes the funds will help with new discoveries, which will eventually increase the use of geothermal for electricity generation.

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Kenya: New Railway Line will Open Up Market for Geothermal Resources

Nairobi to Mombasa high-speed railway opens (CNN)

Second phase  will Link to Olkaria Geothermal Resources

East Africa is now more accessible than ever. After two years of construction, Kenya's largest infrastructure project since independence, a $3.8 billion Chinese-built high speed railway, is up and running.

It's around 300 miles long, connecting the port city of Mombasa to the capital of Nairobi. Built by China Road and Bridge Corporation and 90 percent financed by China Eximbank, it is the largest infrastructure project since independence in 1963.

"It's a big game changer," said Aly Khan Satchu, a financial analyst based in Nairobi, adding that it could provide new manufacturing and export potential for Kenya.

"We've got cheap geothermal power in Naivasha -- you can tap into that power," he said. "You can build your factories, you can put your goods on the railway, you can export it to Mombasa and you can access a three billion person market on the Indian Ocean economy."

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Kenya: Nairobi to Naivasha Rail Line will Link to Olkaria Geothermal Resources - Global Geothermal News, Wednesday, May 3, 2017

New Zealand: Guidance for Direct Use of Geothermal Resources at Workshop

Workshop provides inspiration for geothermal use (Rotorua Daily Post)

(Courtesy Rotorua Daily Post)

Organisations sitting on geothermal resources have been inspired to look beyond electricity generation and consider other ways to potentially use their resource.

The Start to Steam workshop, held at Ohinemutu, was about providing iwi organisations with ways to start utilising their geothermal resource, expand their existing use, or add extra value to current operations.

Facilitated by GNS Science, with support from the Bay of Connections and Ministry of Business, Employment and Innovation, the workshop was focused on economic development opportunities and "value adds" - ways to do more with the asset the groups already have.

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GRC Annual Meeting & GEA GeoExpo+: Exhibit at the Geothermal Energy Event of the Year

Exhibitors at the GRC Annual Meeting & GEA GeoExpo+

As of today, 57 Exhibitors have signed up to present their products and services at the geothermal energy event of the year.

3JTech AMSA, Inc. Boart Longyear BS&B Safety Systems, LLC C-FER Technologies Cooling Tower Depot, Inc. Dewhurst Group DOSECC Exploration Services (DES) EthosEnergy EvapTech Inc Exergy SpA Expro Fuji Electric Co., Ltd. Gardner Denver Nash Gefco Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) Geothermal Resource Group, Inc. (GRG) GeothermEx Horizon Well Logging Hudson Products Corporation Indar Electric, S.L. International Cooling Tower USA, Inc. John M Phillips KMS Technologies Leapfrog Geothermal Mill Man Steel Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems Nalco Company

Nevada Division of Minerals Ormat Technologies, Inc. Phoenix Geophysics Pioneer Petrotech Services, Inc. PM International Suppliers, LLC POWER Engineers, Inc. REED Electric & Field Service PowerChem Technology Quantec Geosciences, Ltd. REXA Rotork Controls Inc. Sandia National Labs Schlumberger Limited Scientific Drilling International Sinclair Well Products SPX Cooling Technologies, Inc. Thermochem, Inc. TIMET TIX-IKS TNG Energy Services Toshiba Turboden Utah FORGE Veizades & Associates, Inc. Vooner FloGard Corporation Wieland Thermal Solutions WWT International

For more information about the GEA GeoExpo+ please visit the GEA website.

Exhibitors register for the trade show..........

Global: Call for Papers for the Geothermal Energy Event of the Year - Submission Deadline is This Week

GRC 2017 Annual Meeting - Call for Papers - Deadline is This Week

Geothermal Resources Council Annual Meeting will be held Oct. 1-4 in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. Theme is “Geothermal Energy - Power to do More.”

The Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) has issued a call for papers for the world’s biggest geothermal conference of the year taking place October 1-4, 2017, in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA at the Salt Palace Convention Center.

Themed “Geothermal Energy - Power to do More” the 41st GRC Annual Meeting will reflect the world-wide availability of a clean, dependable renewable energy that is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, providing both flexible and baseload power production.

The GRC Annual Meeting 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, and numerous networking opportunities. Registration also includes entry to the GEA GeoExpo+.

Over 1,260 attendees came to the 2016 GRC Annual Meeting and GEA GeoExpo+ from around the world, highlighting the GRC’s role in connecting the global community. With increasing interest in geothermal as a reliable source of renewable energy providing both flexible and baseload power production around the world, the GRC is looking ahead to an even stronger international attendance in 2017.

India: Video on Geothermal Heating Project in Indus Headwaters

Geothermal Energy at 4200 m elevation by Brynja Jónsdóttir (ÍSOR Iceland GeoSurvey)

Space heating is among the most important direct uses of geothermal energy worldwide. This kind of application has a long history in Iceland where about 90% of all houses are heated by geothermal energy.

In this video a small heating system was installed in the village, Chumathang, in northern India. Actually just heating of two small houses. This project was development aid between Norway and India to exploit geothermal energy in northern India. They looked to ÍSOR in Iceland for assistance with the project.

(Video 6:50 minutes)

USA, Colorado: Geothermal Technologies Office Peer Review 2017

Save the Date! 2017 Geothermal Technologies Office Peer Review

November 13-15, 2017
DoubleTree by Hilton - Stapleton North Denver, CO

The Peer Review offers geothermal stakeholders an opportunity to learn about the projects funded by the Department of Energy (DOE) across a wide spectrum of technical complexity and funding magnitude, from research and development to demonstration and analysis.

The event also opens a dialogue with respected researchers in geophysics, geochemistry, modeling, tools, and more. Regularly, GTO conducts this rigorous review by independent, qualified peers to assess key achievements in geothermal development and to meet strategic DOE guidelines.

Each project represents a growing technology sector in Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS), conventional Hydrothermal, Low Temperature and Co-Produced Resources, and Systems Analysis. 

Reserve your room.......

Spain: Geothermal Resource for Greenhouse Project in Andalucia

Spain: Geothermal deposit for greenhouse air-conditioning discovered (horti daily)

The company Cardial has reported the discovery of a geothermal deposit at 490 metre depth in the fields of Níjar, in the Spanish province of Almeria.

The firm, which is promoting a project for greenhouse air-conditioning in Níjar using geothermal energy, has reported in a note that the deposit has an average temperature of 41.8°C, an increasing gradient of 8.87°C per 100 metres and an average flow of 22.72 litres per second.

The data, certified by a company collaborating with the public administration, will allow for the first geothermal plant to start being built in Almeria next August. The company in charge of extraction will be Sacyr Industrial.

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USA, Texas: Proposed Refinery's Site is in a "Sweet Spot" for Geothermal Energy

Thermal Energy Partners Signs Agreement to Co-Locate Geothermal Power with Raven Petroleum for "The Cleanest Refinery in the World" (Electric Energy Online)

Raven Petroleum is moving forward with plans to build a refinery in deep South Texas after tapping a general contractor to build it and a a company to provide 100 percent green power it and send emissions deep underground.

The Woodlands-based company has chosen Houston-based general contractor BASIC Equipment to handle the proposed refinery's engineering procurement and construction needs, while Austin-based geothermal company Thermal Energy Partners will provide 100 percent renewable power, desalination and carbon sequestration capabilities.

The proposed refinery's site is in a "sweet spot" for geothermal energy and TEP will also build and operate a desalination plant to support the project. Early cycles of geothermal power will rely on high-temperature brackish water from deep underground while later cycles will rely on the refinery's own carbon dioxide emissions for power.

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Global: Geothermal Energy Risk Mitigation Around the World - A Report

Comparative analysis of approaches to geothermal resource risk mitigation: a global survey (World Bank Group)

by Sanyal, Subir Kumar; Robertson-Tait, Ann; Jayawardena, Migara; Huttrer, Gerry; Berman, Laura Wendell

Based on the World Bank’s own extensive global experience and drawing upon international expertise from leading specialists and practitioners, this report presents a comparative assessment of various approaches that have been applied around the world, with varying degrees of success, to mitigate resource risks and catalyze investments in developing the geothermal sector. 

It provides a framework that can help decision makers identify suitable approaches that are commensurate with development goals, funding capacity, implementation capabilities, and other circumstances specific to the context in a given country.

Full Report (PDF).........

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Chile: World Bank Grant to Strengthen Country’s Geothermal Sector

WB approves $1.78 million grant to help develop geothermal energy in Chile (energia16)

(Courtesy Enel Green Power Chile)

The World Bank Board of Executive Directors approved a US$1.78 million Clean Technology Fund (CTF) Grant to “strengthen the Chilean Ministry of Energy’s capacity to further develop the country’s geothermal sector and improve its energy security,” energiasrenovables website reported. 

The World Bank explained in a statement that “the grant will contribute to Chile’s Energy Agenda (Agenda de Energía. Un Desafío País, Progreso para Todos) and the Energy Policy 2050, which aims to boost the use of non-conventional renewable energy (NCRE) and reduce the cost of electricity. Chile’s abundant geothermal potential provides a good renewable energy option to further diversify the country’s power generation mix, and reduce price volatility.”

Among other elements that justify this donation, the WB assures that “the Government of Chile has made a concerted effort to develop its nascent geothermal energy industry,” remarking, however, that “despite what appeared to be a promising start, a number of issues stymied exploration investments.”

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Kenya: African Centre of Excellence in Geothermal Energy to be Located in Nakuru County

Major geothermal hub in Nakuru to be African model (The Star)

Unep will set up an African regional geothermal hub in Kenya as a centre of excellence for the rest of the world.

African Rift Geothermal Development Facility programme manager Meseret Zemedkun said Kenya has successfully adopted renewable energy sources.

“Kenya will be the main hub of the African region in terms of capacity building of geothermal technology. This is also the main achievement because they have built a very good experience and capacity. They can share their best practices with the rest of the world,” she said.

The African Centre of Excellence will be set up in Nakuru county,” she said.

The hub will be fully operational by next year. It will be used for capacity-building of geothermal technology. Unep will provide technical support.

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Canada: Gas and Oil Wells Can be Retrofitted For Geothermal District Heating System

Final pre-FEED report for geothermal district energy system received (Hinton Parklander)

Representatives of Epoch Energy returned to Hinton to present their final pre-Front End Engineering Design (pre-FEED) report to council at the standing committee meeting on May 23.

The report indicates that the proposed district energy system powered by a geothermal source for 12 buildings within the town could be economically viable if it were to go forward.

With an estimated output of 75,000 Gigajoules, the project would have a 16-year payback and an internal rate of return of five per cent.

The report said the “Hinton advantage” is the extensive gas and oil drilling that has already taken place, meaning existing wells can be retrofitted rather than new wells drilled.

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GRC Annual Meeting & GEA GeoExpo+

Latest News from the Geothermal Energy Event of the Year......

 

GRC Annual Meeting & GEA GeoExpo+ from Geothermal Resources Council

Indonesia: Government Plans for 7,200 MW Geothermal Energy by 2025

Indonesia to push geothermal power to 7,200 MW by 2025, Muara Laboh on track (Rambu Energy)

(Courtesy CIA.gov)

The Indonesian Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry continues its efforts to boost the development of geothermal power plants to 7,200 MW by 2025 from only 1,698.5 MW at present.

Director for Geothermal at the Directorate for New, Renewable and Energy Conservation of the energy ministry (EBTKE) Yunus Saefulhak said Indonesia needs to further develop 5,500 MW of geothermal power plants capacity in order to reach the target.

Last week, PT Supreme Energy Muara Laboh, kicked off the drilling of exploitation in Liki Pinangawan Muara Laboh working area (WKP), Muara Laboh, South Solok, West Sumatera. This is the seventh well out of 19 planned wells to be drilled.

The wells will generate Muara Laboh Unit Power Plant (PLTP Muara Laboh) with capacity of 80 MW and to be operational in 2019. The power plant is projected to light up 120 households in the region.

Supreme Energy Muara Laboh will invest around US$580 million or Rp7.7 trillion to develop the geothermal energy project.

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United Kingdom: Good Overview of Geothermal Energy in Great Britain

From the outside looking in: the risk, the money, & the public: UK Deep (onshore) Geothermal (LinkedIn)

Dave Waters, Geoscience Consultant and Director at Paetoro Consulting UK Ltd

Public perceptions of geothermal energy are typically of bubbling hot springs and exotic landscapes and steaming pipes in places like Iceland, New Zealand, and the US. In fact, geothermal has moved on a lot since the earliest power stations, and has been seriously investigated in the UK since the oil shocks of the seventies.

Anyone reviewing the subject will probably be surprised by the number of past projects, proposed projects, and the body of excellent work done by BGS, DECC, and many individual companies in the UK. The industry has moved into a much more modern era, where steam is not necessarily a pre-requisite, and where the footprint of geothermal technologies can be discretely scaled to be as large or small as requirements demand.

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Greece: Floriculture Project Using Geothermal Heat to Open Near Kavala

Floriculture investment with the use of geothermal field to be inaugurated on Saturday (ANA-MPA)

One of the most important investments in floriculture will be inaugurated on Saturday east of the city of Kavala.

Its operation is completely based on the use and exploitation of the geothermal field of Eratini in the municipality of Nestos.

The inauguration will held in the presence of Agriculture Minister Vangelis Apostolou, East Macedonia and Thrace regional governor Christos Metios, local officials and professors of agricultural school of universities of northern Greece.

The investment "selecta one" is the result of the unification of 'selecta hellas' subsidiary of the German company 'selecta one' with the Greek companies "Agrohoum" and Agroflora".

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France: 73°C Geothermal Waters from 1,800 Meters Deep Powers New District Heating System in Paris Suburb

La géothermie gagne Tremblay-en-France - Geothermal energy wins Tremblay-en-France (Construction Cayola)

La nouvelle géothermie du réseau de chauffage urbain de Tremblay-en-France a été inaugurée ce matin. 80% des besoins énergétiques nécessaires pour chauffer les 10 000 habitants seront couverts par la valorisation de la géothermie.

[Google translation] The new Tremblay-en-France district geothermal heating network was inaugurated this morning. 80% of the energy needs needed to heat the 10,000 inhabitants will be covered by the use of geothermal energy.

Plus..........              Read More.......

USA, Oregon: Video Interview at Neal Hot Springs Geothermal Power Plant

Boise company's business is heating up (KTVB)

A Boise company's focus is on a resource deep underground, but it may just be scratching the surface of its business potential.

"We're always in hot water it seems like, but hot water for us is a good thing," said U.S. Geothermal, Inc. President and Chief Operating Officer Doug Glaspey with a grin.  "This was a hayfield when we first got here in 2005. We drilled our first well in 2006," added Glaspey as he gestured from a hillside overlooking the company's Neal Hot Springs Geothermal Power Plant a few miles outside Vale, Oregon.



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Belgium: Cities in North-East Band Together to Form Deep Geothermal Energy Taskforce

Noord-Limburgse taskforce geothermie - North Limburg geothermal taskforce (Engineeringnet.be)

De burgemeesters van Bocholt, Bree, Hamont-Achel, Hechtel-Eksel, Lommel, Meeuwen-Gruitrode, Neerpelt, Overpelt en Peer zetten samen met VITO, INFRAX, NUHMA, EnergyVille en POM-Limburg een taskforce op die er de mogelijkheden van diepe geothermie gaat onderzoeken.

The mayors of Bocholt, Bree, Hamont, Hechtel, Lommel, Meeuwen-Gruitrode, Neerpelt, Overpelt Peer together with VITO, infrax, NUHMA, EnergyVille and POM Limburg have established a task force to investigate the potential of deep geothermal energy. 

Lees verder........                                 Read more........

Latin America: 13 Applicants Selected to Complete Call for Proposals for Geothermal Development Facility

Results for the Call for Expressions of Interest - GDF

Courtesy Geothermal Development Facility

The German government's KfW Development Bank in conjunction with the European Union launched the €55 million Geothermal Development Facility (GDF) for Latin America to focus on early stage development of 350 MW of installed geothermal power capacity in Latin America over the next ten years.

An Expression of Interest was sought in January 2017, to which 25 parties submitted information. In this two-step process, GDF is now announcing that it has now selected 13 applicants to complete Call for Proposals. Final grant approvals for the selected proposals should be finalized in the 4th quarter of this year.

It is anticipated that late this year a second Expression of Interest will be initiated where new applicants and some of those that weren’t selected in the first round will apply.

More information..........

USA: Funding for Supercritical CO2 Projects Could be Slashed

On Trump’s Chopping Block: The Most Important Climate Solution You’ve Never Heard Of (InsideClimate News)

Supercritical CO2 promises a quantum leap in greenhouse gas reduction, with benefits for coal power, nuclear and solar. Trump’s budget threatens to choke it off.

Credit: Sandia National Laboratories

Cutting-edge labs have been making steady progress for at least a decade on a little-known technology that promises to generate much cleaner and cheaper electricity, with gains for solar, nuclear and fossil fuels alike.

The technology, rarely mentioned outside the world of advanced energy R&D, is called "supercritical carbon dioxide," or SCO2. It may be the world's most obscure silver bullet, but it promises the kind of quantum leap so desperately sought for steep reductions in greenhouse gas emissions as countries try to deal with climate change.

What fired up this interest was partly supercritical CO2's "all-of-the-above" factor—its broad utility for nuclear, fossil, solar, biomass and geothermal operations turning heat into electricity. It offers to do all this much more efficiently, and at much lower cost, than is now possible.

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Global: Call for Geothermal Award Nominations - Deadline is June 16

The GRC Awards - Seeking the Best in Global Geothermal

The winners will be announced at the GRC Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.

Last year's winners - from left to right: Accepting on behalf of Dale Merrick - Joe LaFleur, Wilfred Elders, Anna Carter, Aroha Campbell, Dan Hoyer, John Pritchett and Paul Spielman

The Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) has announced the opening of nominations for this year’s GRC Awards. The awards recognize distinguished colleagues in the geothermal community from around the world and have been a highlight of the geothermal calendar since the late 1970’s.

The winners will be honored at the GRC Annual Meeting being held in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA from October 1–4. The theme for this year’s meeting is Geothermal Energy: Power to do More.

• The Joseph W. Aidlin Award recognizes outstanding contributions to the Geothermal Resources Council and to the development of geothermal resources. 
• The Geothermal Pioneer Award is given for outstanding achievements in the development of geothermal resources. It recognizes the pioneering efforts of members of the geothermal community who have made lasting contributions to the industry, worldwide.
• The Henry J. Ramey, Jr. Geothermal Reservoir Engineering Award recognizes outstanding achievements in the field of geothermal reservoir engineering.
• The Ben Holt Geothermal Power Plant Award honors outstanding achievement in the field of geothermal power plant design and construction.
• The Special Achievement Award recognizes special or outstanding achievements in any aspect of geothermal energy development and related areas.

The recipients of these awards often have a lifetime of achievement in the academic, scientific and commercial geothermal communities. These awards are considered among the most prestigious in the geothermal community.

More information on the GRC Awards, including a nomination form, can be found on the GRC website. The deadline for nominations is June 16, 2017.

Iceland: Video - Carbon Capture at Hellisheidi Geothermal Power Plant

Turning CO2 into stone in Iceland (Al Jazeera)

One hundred percent of Iceland's electricity needs are generated from renewable sources, including geothermal energy. With the aim of cutting emissions even further, a unique carbon capture system called CarbFix is being pioneered at the Hellisheidi geothermal power plant in western Iceland.

Carbon dioxide emissions are captured, mixed with water and injected into the ground. Through this process, the CO2 is transformed into a mineral called calcite within just six months. This solid form of CO2 storage is seen as one of the most effective ways of preventing the gas from entering the atmosphere.

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Kenya: The Great Value of Geothermal Energy as a Natural Resource

Opinion - Geothermal is green and cheap (The Star)

Olkaria III flow test, by Patrick Walsh. Active flow test during construction of the 4th addition to Ormat's Olkaria III complex in Kenya.  Taken from the top of Olkaria Hill in November 2015.

I wrote some months back of how when I was in Australia for the AfricaDownUnder annual conference hosted by the Australia-Africa Mining Industry Group in 2015, I met an energy expert who told me that in his estimate, the potential value of Kenyan geothermal energy is far greater than that of the oil reserves and other mineral resources.

And that far from being just a facilitator of the emerging mining sector in Kenya, geothermal energy was actually a far greater resource than any coal or oil or natural gas that we might hope to discover and exploit.

Iceland has used its geothermal resource and the cheap power it produces to become one of the world’s top aluminium smelting centres.

Iceland has no bauxite (aluminium ore) of its own. But its geothermally-generated electricity is so cheap that bauxite is shipped to Iceland for processing, and aluminium shipped back to global markets.

This example reminds us that geothermal energy is a natural resource in its own right, no different from oil or coal – and it is something we have plenty of.

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Ethiopia: 75 MW Aluto Langano Geothermal Expansion Project Almost Complete

Ethiopia to launch geothermal project (Xinhua)

Aluto Langano Geothermal Power Plant
(Courtesy BGR.Bund.De)

Ethiopia is preparing to launch a 75-MW Aluto Langano Geothermal project to tap into the country's geothermal potential, the Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy (MoWIE) said Thursday.

According to a statement by Bizuneh Tolcha, Communications Director of MoWIE, the World Bank has already provided financial assistance of about 126 million dollars. 

A separate project supported by the U.S. government that aims to produce 1,000-MW geothermal energy has yet to start operations beset by technical, legal and financial issues.

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Turkey: Ormat Sets Up Turkish Geothermal Power Plant Equipment Subsidiary

Turkey to produce 'made in Turkey' geothermal equipment (World Bulletin)

The newly-inaugurated OrmaTurk company will bring a lot of geothermal plant equipment know-how to the Turkish geothermal industry, the U.S.-based parent company's Chief Executive said Tuesday.

During the International Geothermal Conference (IGC Turkey 2017), Chief Executive Officer Isaac Angel of parent company, Ormat Technologies, in an exclusive interview spoke about the new Turkish company's structure and its planned contribution to the country's geothermal energy sector.

"We are probably the biggest power plant provider in Turkey over the last 10 years with a 52 percent share of all operations in Turkey. We will also support another 11 power plants during 2017 and 2018," Angel said.

He explained that in Turkey, Ormat Technologies Inc. does not operate power plants but provides technical support and builds power plants for Turkish developers.

"Yesterday OrmaTurk started its operations as a Turkish company 100 percent owned by Ormat Technologies. The employees are Turkish, including the management," he said, and added that because of geothermal potential in the Turkish market, their investment in the country was made with strong confidence.

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USA: Growing Contribution of Renewable Energy to U.S. Power Capacity

Energy storage and renewables beyond wind, hydro, solar make up 4% of U.S. power capacity (EIA)

At the end of 2016, 195 utility-scale geothermal generating units totaling 3.7 GW were in operation

Beyond the main sources of electricity generation capacity in the United States that have recently been discussed in a series of Today in Energy articles, additional amounts of utility-scale capacity are provided by technologies such as hydroelectric pumped storage, batteries, flywheels, and renewable fuels other than hydro, wind, and solar. These sources collectively accounted for 4% of the electricity generating capacity in the United States in 2016.

At the end of 2016, 195 utility-scale geothermal generating units totaling 3.7 GW were in operation. The largest group of geothermal generating units, a complex located in Northern California called the Geysers, has 943 megawatts (MW) of generating capacity, more than a quarter of the national total.

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Canada: West-Central Alberta Has Geothermal Energy Potential - Report

Geothermal study final report received by council (Hinton Parklander)

Hinton Council heard a presentation about geothermal reservoirs in Alberta at the regular council meeting on May 15.

Jonathan Banks, a research scientist from the University of Alberta spoke to council about the final report into the analysis of the best geothermal reservoirs for commercial development in the province.

The study found that Hinton has sites with sufficient temperature and depth to allow for future development as either electrical or thermal energy generating projects.

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Deep-Dive Analysis of the Best Geothermal Reservoirs for Commercial Development in Alberta: Final Report (University of Alberta)

Prepared by Jonathan Banks, Research Scientist, University of Alberta

Canada: Video on Saskatchewan Deep Geothermal Energy Project

DEEP harnessing geothermal resources for clean energy (Global News)

Deep Earth Energy Production (DEEP) is looking turn geothermal resources into clean energy to help power Saskatchewan. DEEP president and CEO Kirsten Marcia explains the process.

Education: $15,000 in Educational Awards for Students in the Global Geothermal Energy Community

2017 Geothermal Resources Council Scholarships - Deadline is May 26 (News Release)

GRC Scholarship applications are due this Friday, May 26, 2017, but we will be accepting applications until Tuesday, May 30th. 

Some of the winners of the GRC Scholarships in 2016. From left to right: Gudni Rosenkjaer, Jeff Cullen, Erin Camp, and Jon Golla

The Geothermal Resources Council (GRC), a non-profit educational association dedicated to the promotion of geothermal energy and associated technologies around the world, is pleased to announce the availability of the 2017 GRC Scholarship Awards.

To qualify for one of these awards a student must be a GRC member (student memberships are only $5 per year) as well as be a student in an accredited academic institution. Selection of recipients will be based upon a variety of factors, including the individual’s academic record, student activities, geothermal industry experience, and career goals.

The following awards are available:

• Two (2) GRC Undergraduate Scholarship Awards of $1,500 – to be eligible for one of these awards, the candidate must be a third or fourth year undergraduate majoring in engineering or geosciences at the time of the award (Fall 2017). 
• Three (3) GRC Graduate Scholarship Awards of $2,500 – to be eligible for one of these awards, the candidate must be enrolled in a graduate-level program in engineering or geosciences at the time of the award (Fall 2017). 
• One (1) Student Geothermal Project Award of $4,500 – selection of recipient will be based primarily upon the creation and description of a geothermal-focused project, though other factors such as the individual’s academic record, student activities, geothermal industry experience, and career goals will factor into the determination as well. The project can represent a variety of academic subjects, including, but not limited to, geosciences, engineering, and economics. The primary requirement is that the project be focused on some aspect of geothermal power production, geothermal direct use applications or geothermal heat pumps. 

Applications must be received by May 26, 2017 to be considered.
For application instructions and other details see the announcement on the GRC website at: www.geothermal.org/students.html

Please direct questions regarding the scholarship awards to: Brian Schmidt, bschmidt@geothermal.org or 530-758-2360, ext. 107

New Zealand: One Day Geothermal Workshop

NZGA Seminar - Pulse of the NZ Geothermal Industry

27th June, 2017, Wairakei Resort, Taupo

More Information.........

Russia: Oil & Gas Wells in Western Siberia Can be Repurposed for Geothermal Energy

Scientists eye building geothermal power plants in Siberia (TASS)

Scientists of the Novosibirsk-based Institute of Oil and Gas Geology and Geophysics are studying thermal waters in the north of West Siberia as an alternative energy source, said laboratory head Dmitry Novikov, who is in charge of the project.

He said many northern settlements have infrastructure for the construction of geothermal power plants. He said deep wells had been drilled in many Siberian regions in the Soviet times in search for oil and gas.

"If no hydrocarbons were found, we got thermal water sources there," he said.
According to Novikov, the transformation of these wells into power stations will not require much spending.

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USA, West Virginia: A Geothermal Resource Can be Mined Under this Appalachian State

Renewable Energy Provides More Options for Mountain State (The Exponent Telegram)

From coal to natural gas, Appalachia has been the backbone of America’s energy production for nearly two centuries. Now, energy experts are trying to work with renewable resources to make more efficient use of that energy.

The Public Service Commission of West Virginia estimates roughly 16.6 percent of the state’s energy stems from renewable resources. While that may be a small percentage of the state’s total energy generated, renewable resources are helping all forms of energy become more efficient, officials say.

Though not yet widely used in West Virginia, there is a great source of geothermal energy sitting under the Mountain State. While examining previously overlooked oil and gas data, researchers at Southern Methodist University in Dallas recently found several hot patches of earth, some as hot as 200 degrees Celsius, that sit only 5 kilometers under the surface of the Mountain State.

“We were aware that there were hot springs along the faults in West Virginia, and there was a basic understanding that there could be some sort of higher elevated areas, but we had never had the resources to be able to go back out and look at the deeper data until we had this project from Google that allowed us to bring in the oil and gas data,” said Maria Richards, geothermal lab coordinator at SMU.

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Science & Technology: How Geothermal Fluids Flow Through Fractured Rocks

The science of hot fluids in cracked rocks (Voxy.co.nz)

Dr Cécile Massiot

Research by a Victoria University of Wellington PhD graduate has improved understanding of how underground hot fluids flow through fractured rocks, which will help in the development of geothermal energy.

A study by Dr Cécile Massiot, who graduated last week with a PhD in Geophysics, focused on determining the nature of the cracks-or fractures-that control the circulation of fluids in the Earth’s crust.

"There are myriads of fractures underground, but a common challenge in geosciences is mapping where they are, how big they are, and which ones actually serve as pathways for fluids," says Dr Massiot.

"Identifying the characteristics of those fractures that guide fluids is critical for the exploration and management of geothermal renewable resources, which currently accounts for nearly a quarter of New Zealand's electricity supply."

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Fracture system characterisation and implications for fluid flow in volcanic and metamorphic rocks, by Massiot, Cécile (Victoria University Wellington). 

Global: Over 180,000 Employed in Geothermal Energy Industry

Renewable Energy and Jobs – Annual Review 2017 (IRENA)

Renewable Energy and Jobs – Annual Review 2017 presents the status of renewable energy employment, both by technology and in selected countries, over the past year. In this fourth edition, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) finds that renewable energy employed 9.8 million people around the world in 2016 – a 1.1% increase over 2015. 

Geothermal Energy employed about 182,000 worldwide. 

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USA, Nevada: Paul Thomsen Rejoins Ormat Technologies

Nevada utility regulator Paul Thomsen resigns (Utility Dive)

Rejoins Ormat Technologies as Executive Director of Government and Regulatory Affairs

Paul Thomsen at a GRC Annual Meeting Opening Session

Nevada Public Utilities Commissioner Paul Thomsen has resigned from the agency, and his last official day was last week, according to local news station KTVN 2.

In an email from Ormat last week it was announced that Paul Thomsen would re-join the company as Executive Director of Government and Regulatory Affairs.

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USA: President's Budget Request Slashes Geothermal Technologies Spending

U.S. Department of Energy FY 2018 Budget Justification

The Budget provides $12.5 Million in FY 2018 for Geothermal Technologies, $58.5 Million below the FY 2016 Enacted level

The President’s Budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 requests $28.0 billion for the Department of Energy (DOE) to make key investments in science and technology innovation that support its missions in nuclear security, basic scientific research, energy innovation and security, and environmental cleanup.

The FY 2018 Request provides $2.2 billion, $2.4 billion below the FY 2016 Enacted level, for energy programs that enhance U.S. security and economic growth through transformative science, technology innovation, and market solutions to meet the Nation’s energy challenges.

$636 million is targeted for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, $1.4 billion below the FY 2016 Enacted level, focusing on early stage R&D to support American energy independence and domestic job-growth.

The Budget provides $12.5 Million in FY 2018 for Geothermal Technologies, $58.5 Million below the FY 2016 Enacted level, supporting GTO’s Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) collaborative effort, bringing together National Laboratory-led teams, academia, and industry to conduct early-stage R&D that explores the fundamental relationships between seismicity, stress state, and permeability to validate and verify models, providing feedback to inform the next stage of EGS research.

DOE FY 2018 Budget Justification.......
DOE FY 2018 Budget Fact Sheet (PDF)........
Summary Table by Organization (PDF)........

Mexico: ENGIE and Reykjavik Geothermal to Jointly Develop Geothermal Projects

Mexican Ministry of Energy awards three geothermal exploration permits (News Release)

Mexico's Ministry of Energy (SENER) has issued three exploration permits to ENGIE, a global energy company, and Reykjavik Geothermal, an Icelandic geothermal development company.

These permits authorise their holders to spend three years exploring geothermal resources located in three zones, each measuring 150 km2, in Sangangüey (in the state of Nayarit) and in Cerro Pinto and Las Derrumbadas (in the state of Puebla).

This major step forward in the development of geothermal energy in Mexico follows the signature of a cooperation agreement on December 7, 2015 between ENGIE, through its wholly owned subsidiary Storengy, and Reykjavik Geothermal, geared towards obtaining and jointly developing Mexico's concessions and geothermal exploration permits.

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Science & Technology: Special Edition of European Geologist Magazine on Geothermal Energy

Geothermal – The Energy of the Future

Latest Edition of European Geologist – The journal of the European Federation of Geologists

• Combining energy production and mineral extraction – The CHPM2030 project by É. Hartai , B. Bodó & the CHPM2030 Team
• Towards geological-economic modelling to improve evaluating policy instruments for geothermal energy – Case study for Belgium (Campine Basin) by E. Petitclerc, K. Welkenhuysen, S. Van Passel, K. Piessens, D. Maes & T. Compernolle
• Development of the first deep geothermal doublet in the Campine Basin of Belgium by S. Bos & B. Laenen
• The successful geothermal risk mitigation system in France from 1980 to 2015 by C. Boissavy
• Potential of geothermal systems in Picardy by E. Dourlat
• Geothermal energy developments in the district heating of Szeged by M. Osvald, J. Szanyi, T. Medgyes, B. Kóbor & A. Csanádi
• Assessment of deep geothermal energy potential in Northern and Central Portugal by M.M. Miranda, N.V. Rodrigues, J. Willis-Richards & A.J.S.C. Pereira
• Geothermal use of mine water by L.M. Lara, I. G. Colinas, M.T Mallada, A.E. Hernández-Battez & J.L. Viesca
• ThermoProVal: towards improved guidelines for the realisation of borehole heat pumps in alpine geological settings by P. Christe, F. J. Baillifard & G. Steinmann
• Hydrogeological modelling of geothermal waters in Pamukkale, western Anatolia, Turkey by N. Özgür, İ. Kıymaz, E. Uzun & D. S. Kutlu 
• Hydrogeological, hydrogeochemical and isotope geochemical features of the geothermal waters in Urganlı and environs, western Anatolia, Turkey by Nevzat Özgür, Seher Büyükşahin, Barbaros Yıldırım & Eda Aydemir
• Rock power: Geothermal power simulations for schools by E. Devon, C. King & P. Kennett
• The Development and Deployment of Deep Geothermal Single Well (DGSW) Technology in the United Kingdom by M. A. Collins & R. Law
• Opinion: Social changes and Geosciences by G. V. Graziano

Full Edition (PDF).........

Germany: New Master's Degree Program in GeoThermics/GeoEnergy

TUM launches new degree programs (News Release)

The Technical University of Munich (TUM) will offer eight new courses of study in the upcoming winter semester. The programs unite several subjects in the study of sustainable technologies and the relationship of technology and natural sciences to society. Among them is a new Master's degree program in GeoThermics / GeoEnergy.

Southern Bavaria offers especially favorable geological conditions for the use of geothermal energy. The objective of the GeoThermics / GeoEnergy program is to provide students with research-related education in preparation for the growing market in the field of geoenergies. It teaches comprehensive expertise ranging from locating geothermal energy sources to exploration methods all the way to use in energy technologies. The knowledge involved can also be applied in many other topic areas dealing with deeper subterranean geology. The joint degree program is offered by TUM and FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg as a part of the Geothermal Alliance Bavaria. Application deadline: July 15

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