Honduras: Newly Inaugurated 35 MW Geotérmica Platanares Geothermal Power Plant Supported by Financing from U.S. Overseas Private Investment Corporation

President Hernandez Joins OPIC To Inaugurate Honduras’ First Geothermal Plant (OPIC)

At a ribbon cutting ceremony, Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández and U.S. Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) Vice President for Investment Policy Ryan Brennan today inaugurated Geotérmica Platanares, a 35 megawatt geothermal baseload power plant in western Honduras.

The project is supported by $135 million of financing from OPIC, the U.S. Government’s development finance institution, and developed by Reno, Nevada-based Ormat Technologies, Inc. It is the first utility-scale geothermal project in Honduras.

Read More........

Honduras: 35 MW Platanares Geothermal Plant Inaugurated

Honduras opens its first Geothermal Energy Generating Plant (The Central American Post)

President Juan Orlando Hernández participated today in the inauguration of the First Geothermal Energy Generating Plant of Honduras, an event held in the community of Platanares, La Unión, Copán

The investment of this project exceeds 3,094 million lempiras, the plant will work to the maximum capacity and  will generate 35 megawatts, which will serve to meet the energy demand of the entire western region of the country.

Read More........

From the Global Geothermal News archives:

• Tuesday, September 26, 2017 - Honduras: 35 MW Platanares Geothermal Plant Starts Commercial Operation
• Friday, February 3, 2017 - Honduras: Possible Commercial Operation of Platanares Geothermal Power Plant by the End of the Year
• Friday, September 16, 2016 - Honduras: OPIC Approves Financing for 35 MW Platanares Geothermal Project

Europe: Geothermal News from EGEC

The EGEC Newsletter April 2018 - The Voice of Geothermal in Europe

The April issue of the European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC) Newsletter is now available.
Click here to download. In this issue:

Editorial

• European Geothermal Congress

Policy

• Positive synergies between geothermal energy and rural development

News

• Municipality in Romania plans extension of geothermal district heating system
• Developments in the geothermal sector in italy
• Reducing emission of hydrogen sulphide from geothermal operations through bacteria?
• Geothermal Risk Sharing Mechanism Turkey
• Successful completion of geothermal doublet in the Netherlands
• Iceland: a new geothermal beach for Reykjavik

Projects

• ETIP-DG Annual Conference
• Re­new­able Heat­ing & Cool­ing in In­te­grated Urban & In­dus­trial En­ergy Sys­tems

Global Geothermal Photo Contest

The Geothermal Resources Council Announces 2018 Amateur Photo Contest (News Release)

The 39th Amateur Photo Contest winners will be announced at the GRC Annual Meeting in Reno, Nevada, USA.  

Midnight Heat, by Hreinn Hjartarson, Husavik, Iceland. Honorable Mention, 2017 Photo Contest.

The Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) is pleased to announce this year’s Amateur Photo Contest. The purpose of the contest is to showcase quality photography featuring geothermal energy around the world.

The winners will be announced at the GRC Annual Meeting & Expo being held in Reno, Nevada,  USA from October 14-17.

The first place winner will receive $150, second place - $100, and third place - $75. Honorable Mention photos will receive certificates.

Photographs on any subject related to geothermal energy can be submitted such as geothermal energy production, Enhanced Geothermal systems (EGS), direct use and geothermal heat pumps. These can include photos of well testing, drilling, operation of geothermal equipment, newly developed equipment, or plant operation, construction of a geothermal plant or plant site, and geological areas or surface manifestations (holding potential for geothermal exploration or development). New this year are acceptance of "GIFs" - short animated movies of a few seconds each.

More information on the GRC Amateur Photo Contest, including a submission form, can be found on the GRC website. The deadline for submissions is August 24, 2018.

Italy: Interview with ORC Geothermal Energy Pioneer

Interview With The Expert - Prof. Ennio Macchi From Politecnico Di Milano (Exergy)

Prof. Ennio Macchi

Exergy talked about the latest trends in Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) research with emeritus professor Ennio Macchi from Politecnico di Milano, taking the cue from a recent study that examines the global trend of ORC research from 2000 to 2016.

Exergy: Global energy market needs and the compelling energy policies towards sustainable energy models surely influence the direction taken by the ORC technology research. Where is worldwide ORC research heading today?

Prof. Macchi: In the coming years the global energy need will continue to rise: ORC cycles will play a very important role for a variety of applications, from biomass to geothermal and CSP (concentrated solar power, or thermodynamic solar power). An important sector, with strong development potential, is the waste heat recovery from industrial processes. In emerging countries, biomass (a renewable and predictable resource) using ORC technology will work alongside with wind and photovoltaic applications to create micro and mini isolated grids that will manage to respond to the emerging energy needs of rural villages.

Read More.........

United Kingdom: Polypropylene Pipe for Rosemanowes Quarry Geothermal Project

Geothermal Well Cornwall (News Release)

Aquatherm of West Sussex, England, has completed the supply of 2,500 meters of polypropylene (PPR) pipe work for the UK's deepest geothermal well that has been drilled in Cornwall.

The 2.5km-deep shaft was constructed by Geothermal Engineering Ltd. at Rosemanowes Quarry near Penryn.

The system is not designed to deliver power but will deliver around 0.5 MW of heat, enough for 400 apartments or equivalent.

Read More.........

United Kingdom: More Details on Bath Geothermal District Heating Project

Bath Abbey’s geothermal floor (Designing Buildings)

The Roman Baths with Bath

Abbey in the background.

Photo by Ian Crawford (2017)

The Roman Great Drain is a key to the Footprint project. It carries waste water from the hot springs servicing the Roman Baths complex to the River Avon nearby, passing right through the Abbey’s south courtyard. This provides an opportunity for the Abbey to use a natural energy source that will reduce its energy cost and carbon footprint.

The drain has a flow rate of 14–15 litres/second of natural hot water at a constant temperature of 45°C. This is well within the 35–55°C for a typical modern underfloor heating system of the low-temperature hotwater type, producing an output temperature of around 23°C on the floor, and an inside air temperature of 20°C. Unfortunately, the thermal spring water is far too caustic to use directly in the underfloor heating system, as it contains over 42 different minerals and particularly high levels of sulphates and chlorides.

The plan is to raise the water level in a section of the drain using an internal weir. Corrosion-resistant heat exchangers in the flow of the drain will extract the heat, using water-source heat pumps to warm the closed flow loop of the underfloor heating system. Although the output is not sufficient to run the whole system, it will enable a significant reduction in the current gas bill. Tests were carried out in February 2016 to ensure that the new weir would not have any adverse effects on the hot water supply to the Roman Baths complex.

Read More........

From the Global Geothermal News archives:

• Wednesday, April 18, 2018 - United Kingdom: 1.5 MWth Geothermal District Heating Project Proposed for Historic Bath City Buildings

Indonesia: 1,924.5 MW Geothermal Energy Capacity Overtakes Philippines Production

Kini Indonesia Menjadi Produsen Listrik Panas Bumi Terbesar Kedua Dunia
 - Indonesia now has the World's Largest Geothermal Power Plant (ESDM)

(Courtesy CIA.gov)

Kapasitas terpasang pembangkit listrik panas bumi (PLTP) hingga triwulan I tahun 2018 ini mencapai 1,924.5 MW dari target hingga akhir tahun sebesar 2,058.5 MW. Dengan capaian sebesar 1,924.5 MW tersebut menempatkan Indonesia pada posisi kedua di dunia setelah Amerika Serikat dalam memanfaatkan panas bumi sebagai tenaga listrik, menggeser posisi kedua yang sebelumnya ditempati Filipina.

Direktur Jenderal Energi Baru Terbarukan dan Konservasi Energi (EBTKE), Rida Mulyana menyampaikan penambahan kapasitas terpasang PLTP tahun 2018 berasal dari beroperasinya PLTP Karaha Unit 1 (30 MW) dan PLTP Sarulla Unit 3 (110 MW, COD 2 April 2018: 86 MW). Sementara itu, akan menyusul pada pada semester kedua di tahun ini PLTP Sorik Marapi Modullar Unit 1 (20 MW) (Agustus 2018), PLTP Sorik Marapi Marapi Modullar Unit 2 (30 MW) (Desember 2018), PLTP Lumut Balai Unit 1 (55 MW) (Desember 2018) dan PLTP Sokoria Unit 1 (5 MW) (Desember 2018).

(From Google Translate) The installed capacity of geothermal power plants (PLTP) at the end of the first quarter of 2018 reached 1,924.5 MW with a target  of 2,058.5 MW by the end of the year. With an achievement of 1,924.5 MW Indonesia is now in second place in the world after the United States in utilizing geothermal power, taking the  second place previously occupied by the Philippines.

Director General of Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation (EBTKE), Rida Mulyana said the additional installed capacity of PLTP in 2018 comes from the operation of Plarah Karaha Unit 1 (30 MW) and PLTP Sarulla Unit 3 (110 MW, COD 2 April 2018: 86 MW). Further additions in the second semester of this year will include PLTP Sorik Marapi Modullar Unit 1 (20 MW) (August 2018), PLTP Sorik Marapi Marapi Modullar Unit 2 (30 MW) (December 2018), PLTP Lumut Balai Unit 1 (55 MW) (December 2018) and PLTP Sokoria Unit 1 (5 MW) (December 2018).

Baca lebih banyak........                   Read More.......

Germany: Three Day German Geothermal Congress in November

German Geothermal Congress - Der Geothermiekongress (DGK) 2018

• Workshops: 27th November
• Congress: 28th–29th November
• Haus der Technik, Essen, Germany

Erwin Knapek, President of the German Geothermal Association: I would like to cordially invite you to enrich the German Geothermal Congress (DGK) 2018 actively with your own contributions. Together, we can further enhance the use of geothermal energy and thus make our contribution to a clean energy supply.

Geothermal energy is environmentally friendly, economical and reliable. In order
to make a better use of this advantage when converting to an alternative energy
supply, we need a committed exchange of experiences between science and industry, practice and research.

Share your practical experience in drilling and plant planning. Or show us your
recent findings in application-oriented research or basic research. With the DGK
2018 we offer you a platform for all of that. In particular I would like to  encourage you if you have never been to the German Geothermal Congress. You can expect an exciting exchange with German and international experts as well as nice social programme Especially, we welcome contributions from this years DGK partner country, Denmark.

More Information..........

Kenya: World Bank Loan Guarantee to Help KenGen Develop Geothermal Energy

KenGen secures Sh18 billion World Bank loan guarantee (Daily Nation)

KenGen managing director and CEO Rebecca Miano.
PHOTO | SALATON NJAU | NMG 

The World Bank will provide up to Sh18 billion ($180 million) to Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) in the form of risk guarantee allowing it to attract long term capital for its renewable energy development projects.

KenGen said on Monday the World Bank’s approval will also enable it raise up to Sh30 billion ($300 million) in long term commercial financing to be used to refinance its existing commercial loans.

“Our focus is on renewable energy especially wind and geothermal sources and the World Bank Guarantee Project will enable us scale up our investment in energy development and help Kenya achieve middle-income economy status by 2030,” said KenGen managing director Rebecca Miano in a statement.

KenGen plans to add 1,745 MW of electricity from geothermal sources by 2025, part of a government push to end power generation from fossil fuels.

Read More........

United Kingdom: More Details of the Glasgow Geothermal Energy Research Field Site

Plans Submitted For Geothermal Energy Research Opportunity In Clyde Gateway  (BGS)

Two of the UK’s leading scientific agencies have submitted plans for an exciting new research development proposed for the Clyde Gateway area in the east end of Glasgow.

The focus of the research at the Glasgow Geothermal Energy Research Field Site would be geothermal energy. It is one of two sites proposed in the £31 million UK Geoenergy Observatories Project led by The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), the UK’s main agency for funding environmental sciences, and the British Geological Survey (BGS), the UK’s principal provider of impartial geological evidence since 1835. This major project will provide infrastructure for future research opportunities.

The Glasgow Geothermal Energy Research Field Site would be a £9 million project to explore the potential of geothermal energy for the benefit of local communities, as well as innovation and research into the subsurface. The project aims to create an opportunity for research in relation to the geothermal energy potential of the warm waters in the large expanse of disused coal mines under Glasgow. It may be possible to use that water to heat homes and businesses
and store waste heat for future use.

Read More........

Make Sure of Your Booth at the Geothermal Energy Event of the Year

GRC Annual Meeting & Expo

14-17 October, 2018, Peppermill Resort Spa Casino, Reno, Nevada, USA

29 exhibitors - so far - have signed up for the geothermal energy event of the year:

AMSA, Inc.	GeothermEx
BS&B Safety Systems, LLC	Horizon Well Logging
C-FER Technologies (1999) Inc.	Indar Electric
Case M&I	Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems
Coastal Technologies Inc.	NALCO Water
Cooling Tower Depot	Nevada Division of Minerals
Croll-Reynolds & Tsurumi Pump	Ormat Technologies, Inc.
Dewhurst Group, LLC	POWER Engineers, Inc.
EvapTech, Inc.	PowerChem
Expro Group	Quantec Geoscience Limited
Fuji Electric	Seequent
Gardner Denver Nash	Sinclair Well Products
GEODEEP	Thermochem, Inc.
Geothermal Resources Council	U.S. Bureau of Land Management

In conjunction with the prestigious Annual Meeting, the GRC will also host an expo in which companies can promote projects, equipment, services, and technology to leading geothermal energy scientists, producers, renewable energy industry stakeholders, regulators, utilities, and key associated business leaders around the world.

• More Information.........
• Exhibitor Registration........

Contact Ann Lay Email: alay@geothermal.org, Phone: (530) 758-2360 ext. 100 if you have any questions.

USA, California: Vacancy in Geothermal Operations Management in The Geysers

Supervisor II, Operations Management - Geothermal (Northern California Power Agency)

• Middletown, California, USA
• Salary Range: $128,606 To $160,747 
• Final Filing Date: May 9, 2018 at 5pm

Supervise the activities of the operator technicians at the Geothermal Facilities, overseeing both operating functions and, when necessary, maintenance functions. Comply with Agency policies, procedures and practices and the requirements of the Facility Manager. Coordinate the activities of the Operating department with the Maintenance and Steam Production Departments. Develop the proficiency of Geothermal Facility Operator Technicians and continue to improve the Geothermal facility business prospective and competitiveness.

(Video 3:57 Minutes)

More Information and Application.......

Iceland: Chinese Companies Invest in District Geothermal Heating Company

CITIC Capital, China Everbright Back Renewable Energy Firm Arctic Green Energy (China Money Network)

Arctic Green Energy, a renewable energy company based in Reykjavík, focusing on creating zero-emission cities, has completed a new funding deal from CITIC Capital, China Everbright Ltd. and Asian Development Bank.

CITIC Capital, an early investor in Arctic Green Energy since 2015, has exercised its conversion rights to acquire equity of US$30 million in Arctic Green Energy. China Everbright Ltd. has purchased shares and an exchangeable bond issued by Arctic Green Energy for a total of US$70 million.

Asia Development Bank announced on March 22 it would provide a $250 million loan to Sinopec Green Energy Geothermal Co (SGE) and  Arctic Green Energy Corp (AGE) to develop clean geothermal heat in smog-prone northern China. SGE is a joint venture set up by China’s state-owned oil giant Sinopec and AGE.

Read More.........

USA: Update from Geothermal Technologies Office

GTO Quarterly Update Uploaded to the Website

Geothermal Technologies Office (GTO) Director Dr. Susan Hamm hosted the second installment of quarterly updates on April 23, 2018.

The full, WebEx recording is available online on the GTO website. Be sure to check it out and/or share with those who might have missed it.

In this last update, Dr. Hamm highlighted:

• FY 2018 and FY 2019 Budget Overviews 
• Peer Review 
• SBIR/STTR 
• Project updates including: FORGE, DDU, and EGS Collab 

Feel free to email us topics for discussion for the next Quarterly Update or any questions at any time via the GTO mailbox: DOE.Geothermal@ee.doe.gov.

GTO Presentations...........

Global Geothermal Energy Awards - Nominations Now Open

The GRC Awards - Seeking the Best in Global Geothermal (News Release)

The winners will be announced at the GRC Annual Meeting & Expo in Reno, Nevada, USA.

The Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) is pleased to announce 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 & Expo in Reno, Nevada, USA from October 14–17.

• 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 and the awards themselves 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 July 6, 2018.

• Nomination Form (PDF)........ 
• Nomination Form (DOC)........

New Zealand: Vacancy as Geothermal Geologist at Mercury

Geothermal Geologist - Rotorua (Mercury)

Applications close 1 May 2018

We have a great opportunity in the Rotorua Office for an experienced Geothermal Geologist. You will be responsible for providing technical advice on subsurface processes that impact upon reservoir and asset health. This will involve interpretation and reporting of geothermal resource information for the purpose of:

• long-term resource management; and
• developing, characterising, monitoring, optimising and valuing of Mercury's geothermal resources; and
• regulatory and contractual compliance; and
• planning and support of well drilling and testing; and
• managing or supporting geology/geochemistry related projects within the Geothermal business unit.

More information (PDF).......

Costa Rica: Construction of Las Pailas II Geothermal Project is Currently at 80%

Las Pailas II alcanza 80% de avance constructivo - Las Pailas II reaches 80% of constructive target (Periódico Mensaje)

Pipeline in Las Pailas I. by Paul Moya. Two phase pipeline coming to the separation station at Las Pailas I, Costa Rica. Photo was taken in July 2011. GRC Photo Contest 2016.

El Proyecto Geotérmico Las Pailas II, ubicado en Curubandé de Liberia, provincia de Guanacaste, alcanza 80% de avance constructivo. El montaje de la turbina –una de las piezas más importantes de la casa de máquinas– marcha a ritmo acelerado y ya supera la mitad del cronograma establecido.

De acuerdo con el avance a la fecha, se estima iniciar con las pruebas preliminares en octubre. La entrada en operación comercial se mantiene para el primer trimestre de 2019.

(From Google Translation) The Las Pailas II Geothermal Project, located in Curubandé de Liberia, province of Guanacaste, has reached 80% of the target towards construction. The assembly of the turbine - one of the most important parts of the machine house - is moving at an accelerated pace and is already beyond half-way complete.

According to the progress to date, preliminary tests are estimated to start in October. The entry into commercial operation is on course for the first quarter of 2019.

Lee mas.........                               Read More.......

From the Global Geothermal News archives:

• Monday, January 22, 2018 - Costa Rica: Drilling Completed for 55 MW Las Pailas II Geothermal Project
• Monday, September 18, 2017 - Costa Rica: Award for Geothermal Energy Pioneer Alfredo Mainieri Protti
• Friday, February 3, 2017 - Costa Rica: Construction of Las Pailas II Geothermal Project is Currently at 54%
• Monday, October 17, 2016 - Costa Rica: Mitsubishi Hitachi to Provide Turbine for 55 MW Pailas II Geothermal Power Project

Indonesia: PLN Invites Tenders for 1 GW of Geothermal Energy Projects

1,000 MW geothermal capacity up for tender in Indonesia (IPP Today)

Indonesian state-owned utility PT PLN (Persero) has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for up to 1 GW of geothermal projects. Interested parties are invited to submit bids to develop both geothermal steam fields and power plants with at least 5 MW capacity.

Eligible parties must be based in Indonesia or countries which have diplomatic relations with Indonesia. Though the latter must bid to develop projects in consortium with reputable local companies. Furthermore, eligible parties must have demonstrable experience in:

• a geothermal resource study with a minimum capacity of 10 MW,
• well drilling and testing on an oil/gas/geothermal project,
• managing a geothermal reservoir with a minimum capacity of 10 MW.

More Information.........

Geothermal Energy Event of the Year - Essential Information

GRC Annual Meeting & Expo

14-17 October, 2018

Peppermill Resort Spa Casino, Reno, Nevada, USA

• Make your hotel room reservation........ Discount ends September 19th.
• Reserve your Expo booth.......... Make sure of a prime spot!
• Submit your best geothermal photos!........... Deadline for Photo Contest is August 24th.

Indonesia: Workshop Discusses How UNFC Geothermal Specifications Can Help Developments on Flores

Growing Flores's "Geothermal Garden" (IRENA)

Flores, an Indonesian island named for its beautiful flora, is the test-bed of a newly adapted classification guidelines for geothermal projects. Called the ‘UNFC Geothermal Specifications,’ this United Nations’ adapted resource classification system is for the first time being piloted on the small island with the support of IRENA, the International Geothermal Association (IGA) and the World Bank.

Committed to improving socio-economic conditions through stable and reliable energy access, some countries with the right geothermal resources are pursuing geothermal energy. Challenging this pursuit, however, has been the struggle to attract financing — showing that to succeed a geothermal project needs to be more than just technically possible.

From 20 to 23 of April, 2018, IRENA and partners from the IGA and World Bank shared with Indonesian government officials and geothermal project investors how the UNFC system can help classify Flores’s numerous geothermal fields — acknowledging the difference between technical feasibility and economic viability.

Read More.........

Kenya: Join Your Local Geothermal Energy Association!

Geothermal Association of Kenya (GAK)

The Geothermal Association of Kenya (GAK) is a professional scientific, educational and cultural organization. It was registered in Kenya by the Registrar of Societies in 2010 to encourage, facilitate and promote coordination of activities related to local and worldwide research, development and application of geothermal resources. It is a non-political, non-governmental, non-profit organization and is an affiliate member of the International Geothermal Association (IGA).

Djibouti: French Company Equipping Lake Assal Geothermal Power Project

Developing Geothermal Energy in Djibouti (Vallourec)

Vallourec is delivering oil country tubular goods (OCTG) solutions for the Geothermal Energy project in Djibouti.

Lake Assal is a saline lake, 155 meters below sea level, situated in central-western Djibouti at the top of the Great Rift Valley. The geothermal potential of the area, known for its seismic and volcanic activity, has been studied for many years and now the drilling campaign to capture this energy is under way!  

The project in the Fiale Caldera area of Lake Assal consists of drilling 4 exploration wells for a new geothermal power plant, set to come on-line in 2021. The power plant will have a total capacity of 50 MW. Vallourec is supplying OCTG and VAM® Field Service to the project. The Fiale project is managed by the Project Management Unit under the authority of Electricity of Djibouti, EDD. It is financed by the World Bank, the African Bank for Development, OPIC, French Agency for Development, GEF and ESMAP.

Read More..........

Ethiopia: Geothermal Sector Seeks Domestic and International Investors

Ethiopia: Authority Seeks Investors in Geothermal Development (AllAfrica.com)

(Courtesy CIA.gov)

Ethiopian Energy Authority said that it has been tirelessly working to utilize country's energy potentials whilst maximizing the involvement of potential local and foreign investors in the sector.

Geothermal Resource Development Director with the Authority Tesfaye Kassa told The Ethiopian Herald that consolidated efforts are underway to lure investors with the desirable capital, technology and expertise in the geothermal development.

Investors could maximize their profitability in furthering their engagement in geothermal sector that enable them to produce electricity without interruptions and harm in the environment, the Director recommended.

Read More.........

Netherlands: European Geothermal Conference to be Held at The Hague

European Geothermal Congress 2019 (EGEC)

11-14th June 2019, The Hague, Netherlands

The European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC), in cooperation with Stichting Platform Geothermie, BodemenergieNL, and the main event sponsor Energie Beheer Nederland B.V. (EBN) are pleased to announce the 2019 edition of the European Geothermal Congress (EGC).

Organised every 3 years by EGEC, the European association representing the geothermal sector, EGC is the largest geothermal congress in Europe. Hosting a combination of events for all the geothermal sector, EGC is a unique opportunity for stakeholders from all parts of the sector, whether academic, industrial, financial, policy-making, or societal, to come together and to learn, finding new ways to progress.

Read More.........

Kenya: GDC Boosts Geothermal for Food Production

Geothermal Energy Will Boost Kenya’s Food Security (GDC)

Geothermal Development Company (GDC) will utilize geothermal energy to boost food security in Kenya, the Managing Director & CEO Eng. Johnson P. Ole Nchoe has reaffirmed.

The CEO has noted that GDC will strongly support the use of geothermal energy in food production and processing. He said this in Iceland at the ongoing 4th Icelandic Geothermal Conference.

In his presentation, Direct Use of geothermal energy for food security, the CEO pointed out the Loita Plains, Nakuru and the Baringo-Silali Geothermal Block as having great potential food production using geothermal technologies.

“Geothermal will be a key enabler for the BIG4 Pillars. Direct use of geothermal will support the pillar on food security,” the CEO explained.

Read More........

Indonesia: KS Orka Commencing Commissioning of 15 MW First Phase of Sorik Marapi Geothermal Power Project

KS Orka - From Spud-In to Commissioning in 18 months (LinkedIn)

Eiríkur Bragason, CEO at KS Orka

KS Orka is commencing with commissioning of the first phase in Sorik Marapi Indonesia only 18 months after Spud-In. The first phase is 15 MW but further phases will follow shortly. From pad C the project team aims for producing close to 55 MW. KS Orka is developing three geothermal projects in Indonesia.



From the Global Geothermal News archive:

• Thursday, September 7, 2017 - Indonesia: First Unit at 240 MW Sorik Marapi Geothermal Power Project Could Be Operating Within a Few Months
• Thursday, April 13, 2017 - Indonesia: Testing Continues at the 240 MW Sorik Marapi Geothermal Power Project
• Friday, February 3, 2017 - Indonesia: First Three Wells At Sorik Marapi Project Close to Completion

United Kingdom: Geothermal Energy Pioneer Professor Paul Younger Passes

Professor Paul Younger - A Tribute (University of Glasgow)

Professor Paul Younger, who held the University of Glasgow's Rankine Chair in the School of Engineering, has died peacefully at the age of 55.

Professor Paul Younger

Professor Younger was an internationally-renowned hydrogeologist and environmental engineer.

He was a member of staff at the University of Glasgow from August 2012 to March 2017, when he took early retirement. In addition to his academic focus on energy engineering he was a member of Court and served on the University Estates Committee.

Latterly his academic focus had been on geothermal and other aspects of water-related renewable energy, and the elimination of pollution and carbon emissions in the energy sector. During the construction of the University’s district heating scheme in 2014/15, he was a member of the project board and championed the exploitation of the system as a teaching resource for engineering students.

Read More.........

USA, Nevada: U.S. Geothermal is Now Part of Ormat

Ormat Closes Acquisition of U.S. Geothermal (News Release)

Ormat Technologies, Inc. has announced that it has closed the previously announced acquisition of U.S. Geothermal, Inc. for a total consideration of approximately $110 million, comprising approximately $106 million funded in cash by the company to acquire the outstanding shares of common stock of U.S. Geothermal, Inc., and approximately $4 million, funded from available cash of U.S. Geothermal, Inc., to cash-settle outstanding in the money options to acquire outstanding shares of U.S. Geothermal, Inc.

As a result of the acquisition, Ormat now owns and operates U.S. Geothermal's three power plants at Neal Hot Springs, Oregon, San Emidio, Nevada and Raft River, Idaho with a total net generating capacity of approximately 38 MW. In addition, Ormat now owns development assets held by U.S. Geothermal, which include a project at the Geysers, California; a second phase project at San Emidio, Nevada; a greenfield project in Crescent Valley, Nevada; and the El Ceibillo project located near Guatemala City, Guatemala.

The operating assets sell power under existing power purchase agreements at favorable price terms for the electricity, with an aggregated contract capacity of 55 MW. Ormat plans to improve the acquired operating assets and implement synergies and cost reductions which are expected to improve profitability of the operating projects by approximately 50% during 2019.

Ormat has put in place a comprehensive integration plan to assure continuous operation of U.S. Geothermal's assets. The company is pleased to retain a number of U.S. Geothermal employees and welcome them to Ormat.

Read More.........

Ormat Technologies, Inc. will be exhibiting at the GRC Annual Meeting & Expo, 11-14 October, Reno, Nevada, USA.

Science & Technology: New Drilling Technology Expands Engineered Geothermal Reservoirs in Hard Deep Rocks

Boring technology makes for deeper and safer wells (Science Business)

A patent-pending technology developed at ETH Zurich could make for more efficient fracture networks in deep gas, oil and geothermal wells.

Thermal borehole enlargement through thermal spallation can be used to bore deep wells for gas, oil or geothermal exploitation in hard rock. It could also boost the efficiency of new wells and recovery of abandoned wells.

The shape of the borehole can be optimised in order to enhance the subsequent stimulation process.

The creation of deep reservoirs for gas, oil and geothermal energy extraction is impeded by insufficient stimulation. Direction and extension of the created fractures are complex to control and, therefore, large stimulated and interconnected fracture networks are difficult to create.

In order to reduce the project failure risks and increase the reservoir productivity, we developed a technology to control the creation of engineered reservoirs in hard deep rocks.

Read More.........

USA: Geothermal Steam to Provide 4,960 MW Generating Capacity by 2021 - FERC

98% of new U.S. electrical generation in January and February came from wind and solar power (Solar Power World)

Geothermal steam provides 3,830 MW and will add another 1,130 MW by 2021.

U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)’s latest Energy Infrastructure Update (with summary statistics for January and February 2018) also reveals that the total installed capacity of renewable energy sources now provides over one-fifth (20.39%) of total available U.S. generating capacity. Combined, wind and solar alone exceed one-tenth (10.18%) of installed capacity–a share greater than either nuclear power (9.11%), hydropower (8.49%) or oil (3.64%). Geothermal steam provides 0.32% of total generating capacity with 3.83 GW.

The report also estimates proposed Generation Additions and Retirements by March 2021. Geothermal Steam is proposed to add 24 units for an additional  1,130 MW of capacity.

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USA: Call for Rejection of RD&D Budget Cuts for Geothermal Technologies

Federal Energy RD&D: Building on Momentum in Fiscal Year 2019 (Information Technology & Innovation Foundation)

In this report, we first describe the key role of the federal government in the U.S. energy innovation system. We then provide a high-level overview of both DOE’s overall budget and its RD&D budget. The bulk of the report drills down into the programs and subprograms that make up DOE’s RD&D budget, detailing what would be put at risk by the administration’s proposal, and opportunities that might be realized through its expansion. The following is an excerpt from the sub-report on Federal Energy R&D: Geothermal Technologies:

In addition to the current U.S. installed capacity of geothermal energy of over 3.8

gigawatts (GW), there is a vast source of untapped energy just waiting to be realized: an estimated 30 GW of hydrothermal plus more than 100 GW of geothermal energy through EGS. The geothermal industry operates in a harsh subsurface environment in which unique technical and operational challenges must be overcome to realize this potential.

Foremost among these challenges is the resources essentially being “out of sight” at a depth of anywhere from two to five kilometers, thus requiring new exploration technologies and tools to reduce the near-term cost and risk of development. DOE has set an ambitious goal of reducing the cost of electricity from newly developed geothermal systems from 22.4 cents per kilowatt-hour ($0.224/kWh) in 2014 to $0.06/kWh by 2030. Meeting this target (for both hydrothermal and EGS resources) requires R&D to harness lower-temperature

resources more effectively, develop improved methods to stimulate new EGS resources, and characterize and model subsurface stress and other reservoir properties. Reductions in R&D funding threaten to delay or even derail the progress DOE has already made toward these targets.

Federal Energy R&D: Geothermal Technologies

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USA: Funding Opportunity for Advancing Geothermal Drilling Technologies

Department of Energy Announces $14.5 Million to Advance Geothermal Drilling Technologies (News Release)

Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced up to $14.5 million in new funding to advance geothermal energy development. The Efficient Drilling for Geothermal Energy (EDGE) funding opportunity announcement (FOA) will focus on geothermal drilling in support of accelerating the research and development of innovative geothermal energy technologies in America.

“Advancing research in geothermal drilling technologies will help harness the heat beneath our feet to expand our domestic energy resources,” said Daniel Simmons, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. “Geothermal is a reliable, baseload renewable energy source with firm and flexible operation, allowing it to provide a range of essential services that contribute to our nation’s grid stability and resiliency.”

Geothermal energy represents a clean, efficient, and nearly inexhaustible domestic energy resource. The U.S. currently has an installed geothermal capacity of more than 3.8 gigawatts (GW), and there is an estimated 100 GW or more of additional potential geothermal development accessible in undiscovered hydrothermal and enhanced geothermal systems. Technological innovation is necessary to economically convert these resources into cost-effective energy services. DOE’s Geothermal Technologies Office (GTO) supports early-stage research and development (R&D) to achieve these necessary technological breakthroughs.

The EDGE FOA aims to continue and expand GTO’s R&D in geothermal drilling by covering three topic areas:

• Topic Area 1 focuses on early-stage R&D projects to reduce common delays in drilling operations like lost circulation, stuck pipe, unstable wellbores, and other issues that take time away from deepening the hole, typically referred to as non-drilling time.
• Topic Area 2 focuses on early-stage R&D projects in innovative drilling technologies that improve the rates of penetration for drilling geothermal wells.
• Topic Area 3 focuses on exploring innovative approaches and models to accelerate the transfer of geothermal drilling and related technologies from the laboratory into the real world by focusing on building partnerships that will increase adoption of nascent technology and improving knowledge transfer in the geothermal industry. 

The application process will include two phases: a Concept Paper phase and a Full Application phase. Applicants must first submit a Concept Paper by 5 PM ET on May 31, 2018 to be eligible to submit a Full Application.

More information on the EDGE FOA can be found on the EERE Funding Opportunity Exchange. For more information on the Geothermal Technologies Office, visit their website HERE.

Japan: ElectraTherm Commissions 65 kWe ORC Geothermal Power Plant

ElectraTherm Commissions Heat-to-Power Generator at Micro-Geothermal Site in Japan (News Release)

ElectraTherm of Reno, Nevada, USA, has commissioned a Power+ Generator® at a geothermal site in the northern part of Japan. The geothermal heat forms an onsen (hot spring) where the local community has enjoyed bathing at this natural resource for centuries. The Power+ installation offers another resource to the community.

ElectraTherm utilizes the Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) and proprietary technologies to generate up to 65 kWe of electricity at the site. The Power+ Generator captures low temperature heat ranging from 77°C to 116˚C and flow rates up to 45.4 m3/hr. Unlike other renewable sources, geothermal heat is baseload, providing a continuous flow of hot water and therefore power generation capabilities 24/7. The geothermal resource captures hot water —  the fuel used by the Power+ to drive the ORC cycle and turning ElectraTherm’s twin screw power block, driving an electric generator to make clean electricity.

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Finland: Drilling at 40 MWth Espoo Geothermal District Heating Project Reaches Final Depth of 6,400 Meters

New world record at St1’s geothermal drilling site! (LinkedIn)

by Mika Wiljanen, CEO at St1 Oy Finland and St1 Norge AS Norway

The first well in the Otaniemi project has now been drilled to the final depth of 6.4 km on Saturday evening and we have shown the world that deep wells can be drilled into Scandinavian granite in cooperation with St1 and partners. Our goal is to build industrial scale heat plant running on geothermal energy.

To date, three deeper wells have been drilled for research use; in Russia 12.3 km, in Germany 9.1 km and in Sweden 6.96 km. Our well is the deepest well ever drilled for energy production, a world record in its kind.

Production manager Tero Saarno's German influence from a drilling contractor took a supremacy at the emotional a world record moment, but in close crew this is how it goes. Congratulations to the whole drilling team!

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From the Global Geothermal News archives:

• Tuesday, May 10, 2016 - Finland: Drilling Starts for 40 MWth Espoo Geothermal District Heating Project
• Monday, December 1, 2014 - Finland: Large Scale Geothermal Energy District Heating Project to be Built in Helsinki Suburbs 

USA, California: Candidate for Governor of Golden State Sees Advantages of Geothermal Energy at First Hand

Lt. Governor Newsom Visited Shrinking Lake In CA That Is Posing Public Health Risks & Harming Local Ecosystems (News Release)

"Investing in geothermal energy production in Imperial County can help reinvigorate the local economy and contribute to the state's renewable energy portfolio."

(Video 1:24 Minutes)

Prior to Thursday's State Lands Commission meeting in Palm Springs, Lt. Governor Newsom visited Imperial County to observe the environmental, ecological, and public health challenges that have resulted from the shrinking of the Salton Sea, California's largest lake. Lt. Governor Newsom also visited a local geothermal plant to learn about geothermal power and how renewable energy development on state lands contributes to California's renewable energy goals, while also stimulating Imperial County's economy.

Adjacent to the Salton Sea are geothermal plants that hold leases with the State Lands Commission, on which the Lt. Governor is a voting member. Imperial County has some of the highest-producing geothermal wells in the world, reflecting the region's great potential for renewable energy development. In 2016, geothermal energy accounted for about 4% of California's electricity, and about 20% of in-state renewable generation. Investing in geothermal energy production in Imperial County can help reinvigorate the local economy and contribute to the state's renewable energy portfolio.

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Happy Earth Day 2018: Have Some Geothermal Energy - You're Welcome

Why Geothermal?

Our gift to the world on Earth Day

Download as PDF

Global Geothermal Photo Contest Announced

The Geothermal Resources Council Announces 2018 Amateur Photo Contest (News Release)

The 39th Amateur Photo Contest winners will be announced at the GRC Annual Meeting in Reno, Nevada, USA.  

Midnight Heat, by Hreinn Hjartarson, Husavik, Iceland. Honorable Mention, 2017 Photo Contest.

The Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) is pleased to announce this year’s Amateur Photo Contest. The purpose of the contest is to showcase quality photography featuring geothermal energy around the world.

The winners will be announced at the GRC Annual Meeting & Expo being held in Reno, Nevada,  USA from October 14-17.

The first place winner will receive $150, second place - $100, and third place - $75. Honorable Mention photos will receive certificates.

Photographs on any subject related to geothermal energy can be submitted such as geothermal energy production, Enhanced Geothermal systems (EGS), direct use and geothermal heat pumps. These can include photos of well testing, drilling, operation of geothermal equipment, newly developed equipment, or plant operation, construction of a geothermal plant or plant site, and geological areas or surface manifestations (holding potential for geothermal exploration or development). New this year are acceptance of "GIFs" - short animated movies of a few seconds each.

More information on the GRC Amateur Photo Contest, including a submission form, can be found on the GRC website. The deadline for submissions is August 24, 2018.

United Kingdom: Deep Geothermal Potential of the UK

Keeping warm: deep geothermal potential of the UK (EPSRC)

Jon Gluyas and Charlotte Adams discuss  recent National Centre for Energy Systems Integration (CESI) research which looks at how the UK’s heat supply can be decarbonized and national energy security improved.

Two recent papers to emerge from CESI examine the potential to decarbonize the UK’s heat supply and simultaneously improve national energy security.

The article by Gluyas et al on ‘Keeping warm: a review of deep geothermal potential of the UK’ examines how much heat could be extracted from sedimentary basins and granite bodies while Adams and Gluyas article on ‘We could use old coal mines to decarbonize heat – here’s how’ looked at the resource potential of ultra-low enthalpy heat in abandoned flooded coal mines. 

A very conservative estimation indicates that at current levels of heat use there is an absolute minimum of 100 years heat supply from these sources. Moreover, such heat sources have a near zero carbon footprint.

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USA: DOE Announces USD 2 Million Funding for Geothermal Energy Research

Energy Department Announces Nearly $12 Million in Small Business Research and Development for EERE (EERE/GTO)

As part of last week's $99 million announcement by the U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) research and development projects, the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) will manage seven new projects across seven states, totaling $7 million in funding. Two projects involve geothermal energy research:

E-Spectrum Technologies, Inc., San Antonio, TX

$985,773 for a Near-Real-Time Electromagnetic Data-Link for Geothermal Downhole Instruments

This effort proposes a high-temperature electromagnetic tool to provide wireless, near-real-time access to geothermal well downhole data in reservoirs up to 300°C. The proposed effort will leverage existing electromagnetic data transmission technology used for oil and gas exploration to provide a cost-effective means to characterize underground environmental variables such as bit vibration, downhole temperature, and pressure conditions. This capability will minimize risks associated with developing geothermal energy as a viable power source.

Olympic Research, Inc., Port Townsend, WA

$1,009,468 for Controlled-Porosity Ceramic Materials for High Temperature Downhole Applications

Advanced geothermal energy production is challenged by the harsh thermal and chemical environments posed by fluids produced in geothermal wells. This technology introduces a novel method of forming high performance ceramic components in place to extend the operating life of the well components.

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Make Sure of Your Booth at the Geothermal Energy Event of the Year

GRC Annual Meeting & Expo

14-17 October, 2018, Peppermill Resort Spa Casino, Reno, Nevada, USA

28 exhibitors have signed up for the geothermal energy event of the year:

AMSA, Inc.	GeothermEx
BS&B Safety Systems, LLC	Horizon Well Logging
C-FER Technologies (1999) Inc.	Indar Electric
Case M&I	Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems
Coastal Technologies Inc.	NALCO Water
Cooling Tower Depot	Nevada Division of Minerals
Croll-Reynolds & Tsurumi Pump	Ormat Technologies, Inc.
Dewhurst Group, LLC	POWER Engineers, Inc.
EvapTech, Inc.	PowerChem
Expro Group	Quantec Geoscience Limited
Fuji Electric	Seequent
Gardner Denver Nash	Sinclair Well Products
GEODEEP	Thermochem, Inc.
Geothermal Resources Council	U.S. Bureau of Land Management

In conjunction with the prestigious Annual Meeting, the GRC will also host an expo in which companies can promote projects, equipment, services, and technology to leading geothermal energy scientists, producers, renewable energy industry stakeholders, regulators, utilities, and key associated business leaders around the world.

• More Information.........
• Exhibitor Registration........

Contact Ann Lay Email: alay@geothermal.org, Phone: (530) 758-2360 ext. 100 if you have any questions.

Kenya: Geothermal Fills the Gap as Hydropower Becomes More Intermittent

As drought saps hydropower, steam may keep Kenya boiling along (The Star, Kenya)

In February, Kenyans awoke to news that has become an annual ritual: Authorities were considering temporarily shutting down hydropower dams, the country’s largest source of electricity.

The reason was the one given each dry season for the last four years – too long without rain had left too little water in reservoirs to turn the turbines and generate power.

Kenya Power, the national electricity utility, has so far always managed to avoid a full shutdown, instead turning off just a few turbines at a time. But to make up the gap it has turned to more expensive – and polluting – diesel generators to keep the country plugged in.

Now, however, another clean source of power may help fill the gap: Geothermal power.

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