Global Geothermal Energy Awards - Nominations Due Next Week

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 reminding the community of the deadline for 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)........

Global Geothermal Photo Contest

The Geothermal Resources Council 2018 Amateur Photo Contest

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

Northern Lights Over a Well Protection Dome in Hellisheidi and the Nesjavellir Power Plant [First Place GRC Photo Contest 2017] by Bastien Poux, Pontoise, France.

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.

New Executive Director of the Geothermal Resources Council Announced

GRC Announces Executive Director (News Release)

William Pettitt is the new Executive Director of the Geothermal Resources Council

Dr. William Pettitt

The Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. William Pettitt as the association’s new Executive Director, taking up his duties on July 9.

Dr.  Pettitt is an applied geophysicist with both business and technical management expertise. He is an expert in induced seismicity, microseismics and geomechanics. He has been General Manager and Vice President of Itasca Consulting Group in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Operations Manager for Applied Seismology Consultants in the United Kingdom.

Will has focused on helping industry, government and academia solve challenging problems in subsurface engineering. He is the creator of leading commercial microseismic software, and has developed unique data-acquisition equipment. He has published on a wide range of topics, is a frequent keynote speaker, and has participated in government and organizational committees. Will is bringing the combination of his applied science and engineering experience with business management expertise to help the merged GRC and Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) organization develop to the next level, and help support geothermal industry development through our mission of promoting sustainable energy, supporting new science and technologies, and providing resources for education and learning.

 “With Will Pettitt's business acumen, research savvy, and welcoming disposition he is an exceptional person to be our Executive Director" says Maria Richards, President of the GRC.  "His strengths compliment the unification of the GRC and GEA. Will's aptitude for explaining, "How the Earth Works" will be appreciated by the media and public as they ask about the intricacies of geothermal resources.”

Geothermal Energy Event of the Year - Essential Information

GRC Annual Meeting & Expo - A Geothermal Event!

Geothermal’s Role in Today’s Energy Market

14-17 October, 2018

Peppermill Resort Spa Casino, Reno, Nevada, USA

Nearly 1,000 attendees came to the 2017 GRC Annual Meeting and Expo from 35 different countries 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 2018.

• 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.

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

GRC Annual Meeting & Expo - A Geothermal Event!

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

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

AMSA, Inc.	Mill Man Steel Inc.
A.W. Chesterton Company	Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems & Turboden
BS&B Safety Systems, LLC	NALCO Water
CGG Electromagnetics	Nevada Division of Minerals
CICESE	Ormat Technologies, Inc.
C-FER Technologies (1999) Inc.	PCC Metals Group
Case M&I	PM International Suppliers
Coastal Technologies Inc.	Paul Graham Drilling & Resource Cementing
Cooling Tower Depot	Phoenix Geophysics Ltd.
Croll-Reynolds & Tsurumi Pump	Pioneer Petrotech Services Inc.
Dewhurst Group, LLC	POWER Engineers, Inc.
EnergyNet	PowerChem
EvapTech, Inc.	Quantec Geoscience Limited
Exergy	Scientific Drilling
Expro Group	Scovan
Fuji Electric	Seequent
Gardner Denver Nash	Sinclair Well Products
GEODEEP	Suez Renewable
Geologica Geothermal Group	Thermochem, Inc.
Geothermal Resources Council	TIX-IKS Corporation
Geothermal Resource Group	TNG Energy
GeothermEx	Toshiba
Horizon Well Logging	U.S. Bureau of Land Management
Iceland Geothermal	Veizades & Associates, Inc.
Indar Electric	Well Analysis Corporation

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.

Germany: IGA Executive Director Promotes Geothermal Energy at Drilling Conference

Drilling industry urged to exchange knowledge with geothermal industry (Drilling Contractor)

Geothermal is an unlimited natural source of energy and can play a significant role in meeting the world’s energy needs, Dr Marit Brommer, Executive Director of the International Geothermal Association, said at the 2018 IADC World Drilling Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, on 20 June.


(Video 7:15 Minutes)

The drilling industry has a role to play in exploring that potential, she noted. In this interview with Drilling Contractor Managing Editor Linda Hsieh, Dr Brommer discusses how geothermal can support the transition from a fossil fuel to a renewable-based economy, as well as the Iceland Deep Drilling Project.

Mexico: Geothermal Financing & Risk Transfer Program Information Session Before GEOLAC Conference

Mexico Market Briefing: Showcasing the NEW Geothermal Financing & Risk Transfer Program (New Energy Events)

Monday, July 16, 2:00-6:00pm

Hilton Reforma, Mexico City, Mexico

Mexico government agencies and the IDB will host a pre-GEOLAC market briefing on July 16th which will provide detailed information on the Geothermal Financing and Risk Transfer Program. This major new program is designed to fund and catalyze the development of geothermal projects in Mexico.

The briefing will outline eligibility criteria for participation in the program and is essential for any participants, current or potential, in Mexico’s geothermal market.

The briefing, which is complimentary for GEOLAC delegates, will comprise the following:

• Introduction to the Program and Welcome Remarks (IDB, INEEL, SENER, NAFIN).
• Geothermal Financing and Risk Transfer Program: Operational Game Rules (NAFIN, SENER, INEEL). 

Comprising a detailed description of the new program, this session will outline eligibility criteria for developers’ participation in the program. It will also describe the international competitive bidding process for drilling companies
Environmental and Social Impacts (ERM, INEEL). Presentation of all existing environmental and social impact studies and data for current concessions.

More Information........

Indonesia: Loan Agreement Signed to Help Fund 98.4 MW Rantau Dedap Geothermal Power Project

Marubeni Achieves Conclusion of Project Finance Agreement (News Release)

Marubeni Corporation is pleased to announce that PT. Supreme Energy Rantau Dedap, which is owned by Marubeni, ENGIE S.A., PT. Supreme Energy, and Tohoku Electric Power Co., Inc., signed a loan agreement for limited-recourse project financing in March 2018, and initiated construction of its geothermal power plant for the Rantau Dedap Geothermal Independent Power Project, located in the Republic of Indonesia in April 2018.

PT. Supreme Energy Rantau Dedap will construct a 98.4 MW power plant in the South Sumatra province of Indonesia, and all generated power will be dispatched to PT. PLN (Persero) under a 30-year Power Purchase Agreement. 

Read More........

From the Global Geothermal News archives:

• Wednesday, March 28, 2018 - Indonesia: ADB Funding for 86 MW Rantau Dedap Geothermal Project
• Thursday, January 11, 2018 - Indonesia: Drilling of Wells at 86 MW Rantau Dedap Geothermal Project to Begin Mid-Year
• Tuesday, November 21, 2017 - Indonesia: PLN Signs PPA for 86 MW from Rantau Dedap Geothermal Power Plant

Mexico: Government Considers Separate Auction Specifically to Boost Geothermal

Mexico mulls geo boost (reNews)

Government considering price support mechanism for sector

(Courtesy CIA.gov)

Mexico is considering the introduction next year of a dedicated price support mechanism for geothermal energy outside its technology-neutral auctions dominated by wind and solar.


Mexican energy ministry SENER’s European representative Nelson Mojarro said it has a “strong preference” for the development of projects outside the “huge concentration” of renewables in the south-east region of Istmo de Tehuantepec.

“We understand it is more challenging for certain technologies and we are considering whether there needs to be another auction for other technologies specifically to boost geothermal,” he added.

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

Iceland: Another 97 Heat Power Modules Ordered from Climeon

Climeon obtains doubled order worth 65 MEUR (News Release)

Animation illustrates the simplified cycle of a Climeon Heat Power module.

Swedish company Climeon has signed an agreement with Icelandic company Varmaorka to expand an existing order to a value of about 65 MEUR, from just over 30 MEUR.

In August 2017, Climeon won an order on geothermal power plants from Varmaroka with a value of just over 30 MEUR. Now Varmaorka increases their order of 100 Heat Power modules to 197 modules with a total value of about 65 MEUR, excluding service costs and software licenses.

"The potential of geothermal energy on Iceland with Climeon's technology is greater than we thought a year ago. During the year we have secured several new sites, and we therefore want to increase the speed of our rollout and secure delivery of modules to us," says Ingvar Gardarsson, Chairman of the Board of Varmaorka.

Read More........

Colombia: Three Day Geothermal Energy Conference in Bogotá

3rd Colombian National Geothermal Meeting - Reunión Nacional de Geotermia (RENAG 18)

13-15 December, 2018, Bogotá, Colombia

"Bringing Together Government, Industry and Academia To Define the 2030 Road Map For Geothermal Development In Colombia"

The Colombian Geothermal Association (known as AGEOCOL, its acronym in Spanish) proudly invites you to participate in the 3rd Colombian National Geothermal Meeting (RENAG 18), to be held in Bogotá in December 2018.

More Information:

• En Español..........               
• In English.........

USA: Geothermal Heat Upwelling Detected Under New England

A Giant Blob of Hot Rock Is Building Up Under America's Northeast (Science Alert)

A vast mass of hot rock is welling up underneath Vermont and extending into other subterranean regions below New England, new research shows.

Scientists used a network of thousands of seismic measurement devices in the largest geological study of its kind, detecting the enormous blob upwelling under Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts – and possibly elsewhere.

Buried in two years of data, the team zeroed in on New England, having previously identified a thermal anomaly that was hundreds of degrees Celsius hotter than its surroundings in the upper mantle about 200 kilometres (124.2 miles) below the surface, and measuring approximately 400 kilometres (248.5 miles) in diameter.

Read More........

Seismic evidence for a recently formed mantle upwelling beneath New England, by Vadim Levin, Maureen D. Long, Peter Skryzalin; Yiran Li, Ivette López. Geology (2017) 46 (1): 87-90. https://doi.org/10.1130/G39641.1

Kenya: Nice Video on the Potential for Olkaria Geothermal Field

Geothermal landscapes - powering Kenya’s future (SEI)

This video essay explores the issues raised by Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) research on the risks and uncertainties Kenya must address to continue its development of geothermal power. The research is part of the EU-funded project, Transitions Pathways and Risk Analysis for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaption Strategies (TRANSrisk), which aims to foster greater understanding of how to make transitions to use more sustainable energy sources.

(Video 4:12 Minutes)

United Kingdom: Hurdles Remain for Project to Bring Geothermal Power From Iceland to Great Britain

Iceland demands fixed price to give UK volcano power (Compelo)

Iceland's finance minister has called on the UK Government to offer a fixed energy price to enable plans for an undersea electricity cable between the two countries to move ahead.

Talks over a 1,000km (620 mile) long, 1,000 MW cable have been on the cards for decades but Bjarni Benediktsson said the project would need to “pass a lot of hurdles”, including environmental and planning concerns, before being approved. The project would use the power generated by Icelandic volcanoes to fuel British households. He added: “When you look at a project like the cable you will always have to look very long-term.

Construction is due to start in 2019 and the project will include 18 million tonnes of copper and 13 million tonnes of aluminium.

Read More.........

Kenya: New Standard Gauge Railway Will Boost Development in Geothermal-Rich Rift Valley

Phase two of SGR will be completed May 2019 - Uhuru (Tuko)

President Uhuru Kenyatta has challenged the contractor working on the Nairobi-Naivasha Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) line to have it completed before Madaraka Day on May 31, 2019.

The 120km stretch will traverse five counties including Nairobi, Kajiado, Kiambu, Nakuru and Narok.

The SGR project is expected to boost tourism, agro-processing and industrial development in the geothermal-rich Rift Valley.

Read More.........

Europe: Experts Needed to Help Combined Heat, Power and Metal Extraction Project

CHPM2030 Delphi Survey: call for geothermal and minerals experts (News Release)

The CHPM2030 project is working on a novel, potentially disruptive technology that combines geothermal energy and mineral extraction in a single interlinked process: Combined Heat, Power and Metal extraction, or in short CHPM. This technology aims to increase financial feasibility of geothermal projects, by recovering valuable metals (e.g. Au, Ag, Sn, Fe, Li, REE, etc.) from the geothermal brine. Therefore, the geothermal reservoir is chosen as such, that it coincides with a deep metal enrichment, allowing for both geothermal and mineral potential.

The project is currently conducting a two-round Delphi* survey that maps future development of uncertain but important areas for CHPM technology application.

During the 1st round of this Delphi survey conducted in May 2018, more than 100 experts have participated worldwide. The project now is conducting the second round and is again calling for experts in the field of geothermal and/or minerals. The new form already includes the overall opinion of the sector and encourages participants to comment in the light of previously provided expert opinions and insights. The survey also aims to analyse emerging issues of different aspects of the CHPM technology, many of which have been identified in the first round. To learn more about these identified emerging issues, and reflect on them, please email Tamas Miklovicz (tamas.miklovicz_at_lapalmacentre.eu) to participate.

The deadline for participation is 6 July 2018.

Philippines: EDC to Use Green Bond to Optimize Output of Geothermal Power Plants

IFC launches first green bonds in Philippines (Philippine Star)

International Finance Corp. (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank Group for the private sector, has launched the Mabuhay Bond – the first peso-denominated green bond in the Philippines – to bankroll the optimization program of Lopez-led Energy Development Corp. (EDC).

IFC will use proceeds of the bond to finance EDC’s capital expenditure program, which is focused on optimizing the generation output of its geothermal power plants and improving resiliency to climate impacts.

Read More.........

Philippines: Government to Survey Possible Geothermal Energy Resources in Central Luzon

DOE to check geothermal energy viability in 3 Cordillera communities (Philippine Information Agency)

The Philippines Department of Energy is set to  conduct a study on the geothermal energy potential  in  three communities in the region.

The Buguias – Tinoc and Tuba-Pugo  geothermal fields are DOE’s  study projects along with   Mt. Malindang in Misamis Occidental; Mt. Sembrano in Rizal; Mati – Lupon Tarragona and Coron,  Palawan geothermal fields.

DOE – REMB Geothermal Energy Management Division Chief Engr. Ariel Fronda  said the geothermal energy potential study they will be conducting will only include a geological and geochemical survey.  This means  that  they will only be collecting rock, soil and water sample for laboratory testing and when results warrant a geophysical testing, they will again meet and talk with local stakeholders for such purpose.

He  disclosed  that aside from confirming if their area is a possible geothermal energy resource , the study will also provide information on how the localities and stakeholders can better manage the presence of geothermal resources, as well as on the possible threat it may bring, if there may be.

Read More........

USA: Funding Available to Boost Enhanced Geothermal Systems Development

DOE Announces up to $4.45 million for Enhanced Geothermal Systems Advancements (EERE/GTO)

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced up to $4.45 million to address early-stage challenges that currently limit enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) development. The Zonal Isolation for Manmade Geothermal Reservoirs funding opportunity announcement (FOA) will fund 4-10 projects that will address technological improvements to the productivity of individual wells and EGS reservoirs.

The selected projects will aim to develop reliable zonal isolation methodologies that present low risk to wellbore integrity or the conductivity of the fractures, can withstand large pressure differentials, and can operate in high temperature, corrosive, hard rock environments for extended periods of time.

FOA applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. ET on July 25, 2018.

Additional details..........

Geothermal Energy News from Around the World

Global Geothermal News - Weekly Update (Geothermal Resources Council)

A Round-up of this week's international geothermal energy news.......

Click on the links below to view the whole story and other news on Global Geothermal News.

Italy: Geothermal Energy Loses a Pioneer - Ruggero Bertani

The international geothermal community mourns the loss of Ruggero Bertani

(ThinkGeoEnergy)

The international community mourns the loss of Ruggero Bertani, one of the most influential individuals, who has played a remarkable and incredibly important role for the global geothermal energy industry through his work at Enel Green Power, EGEC and at the International Geothermal Association (IGA).

Read More........

Philippines: EDC Assures Geothermal Power Plants are Designed to Withstand Earthquakes

Power plants designed to weather quakes: EDC (pna.gov.ph)

(Courtesy Energy Development Corp.)

Geothermal power leader Energy Development Corp. (EDC) officials in Negros Oriental have assured that the geothermal power plants in Valencia town are designed to withstand earthquakes.

The assurance comes as the 2nd national earthquake drill was held Thursday in many local government units and schools across the country.

Engr. Vicente Omandam, senior manager for EDC’s Negros Island Geothermal Business Unit (NIGBU) and the Southern Negros Geothermal Plant (SNGP) in Valencia town, said that while they are prepared for the worst, “so far they have not experienced any damage due to earthquakes.”

“The design of our power plants here are intended to withstand strong earthquakes so normally we don’t have problems with the current quakes,” Omandam said, referring to recent earthquake events recorded in the province in relation to the local faults found here.

Read More.........

USA: New Zealand and DOE to Share Ideas on Geothermal Energy Technologies

Energy Department to Collaborate with New Zealand on Geothermal Energy Advancement (News Release)

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced an agreement with New Zealand’s Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) to collaborate on the advancement of geothermal technologies.

The overarching goal between DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) and MBIE’s Labour, Science and Enterprise Group is to establish a framework for cooperation in the development of advanced, cost-effective geothermal energy technologies; accelerate the availability of geothermal technologies worldwide; and identify and address wider issues relating to geothermal energy, such as induced seismicity and mineral recovery. The proposed areas for collaboration include the joint development and improvement of modeling tools, mineral recovery, direct use applications, and supercritical geothermal systems.

Read More........

USA, California: Three Day Conference on Transport Of Unsaturated Groundwater and Heat

TOUGH Symposium 2018 (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory · Earth and Environmental Sciences Area)

October 8–10, 2018, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), California, USA

A symposium on applications and enhancements to the TOUGH codes for multiphase fluid, heat, and chemical transport will be held at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), October 8–10, 2018.

The TOUGH Symposium 2018 will consist of oral and poster presentations. Depending on demand/interest, “short courses” on select TOUGH codes are tentatively scheduled immediately preceding and/or following the symposium.

The purpose of the symposium is to bring together users of the TOUGH family of codes (which includes TOUGH2 (and TOUGH3), iTOUGH2, TMVOC, TOUGHREACT, TOUGH-FLAC, TOUGH+, TOUGH2-MP, and many others) for an open exchange on applications and recent code enhancements.

Register Now........

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

GRC Annual Meeting & Expo - A Geothermal Event!

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

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

AMSA, Inc.	Mill Man Steel Inc.
A.W. Chesterton Company	Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems & Turboden
BS&B Safety Systems, LLC	NALCO Water
CGG Electromagnetics	Nevada Division of Minerals
CICESE	Ormat Technologies, Inc.
C-FER Technologies (1999) Inc.	PCC Metals Group
Case M&I	PM International Suppliers
Coastal Technologies Inc.	Paul Graham Drilling & Resource Cementing
Cooling Tower Depot	Phoenix Geophysics Ltd.
Croll-Reynolds & Tsurumi Pump	Pioneer Petrotech Services Inc.
Dewhurst Group, LLC	POWER Engineers, Inc.
EnergyNet	PowerChem
EvapTech, Inc.	Quantec Geoscience Limited
Exergy	Scientific Drilling
Expro Group	Scovan
Fuji Electric	Seequent
Gardner Denver Nash	Sinclair Well Products
GEODEEP	Suez Renewable
Geologica Geothermal Group	Thermochem, Inc.
Geothermal Resources Council	TIX-IKS Corporation
Geothermal Resource Group	TNG Energy
GeothermEx	Toshiba
Horizon Well Logging	U.S. Bureau of Land Management
Iceland Geothermal	Veizades & Associates, Inc.
Indar Electric	Well Analysis Corporation

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.

Global Geothermal Energy Awards - Nominations Due July 6

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 reminding the community of the deadline for 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)........

Indonesia: GRC Presents a Pre-Conference Workshop at Regional Geothermal Energy Conference

6th Indonesia International Geothermal Convention and Exhibition (IIGCE)

5-8 September 2018, Jakarta Convention Center, Indonesia

Science & Technology: A Joint 3D Inversion Workflow Study of the Darajat Geothermal Steam Field

Geologically consistent multiphysics imaging of the Darajat geothermal steam field (First Break)

Darajat is a vapor-dominated, producing geothermal field in West Java, Indonesia. Located along a range of Quaternary volcanic centres, it is associated with an eroded andesitic stratovolcano, and its reservoir is predominantly comprised of thick lava flows and intrusions in a stratovolcano central facies (Rejeki et al., 2010).

First production from the field was started in 1994 with the installation of a 55 MW plant, and capacity was added in 2000 and 2007 to bring the total to 271 MW.

Several ground geophysics data sets have been acquired during successive surveys – including gravity and magnetotelluric (MT) surveys, and continuing micro-earthquake (MEQ) monitoring (Soyer et al., 2017).

While each survey was independently modelled and interpreted, a quantitatively integrated 3D inversion modelling study had not been undertaken. We present a joint 3D inversion workflow, incorporating the production field model as a structural reference in order to derive mutually consistent subsurface resistivity, density and velocity distributions, as well as relocated MEQ events.

Read More........

Geologically consistent multiphysics imaging of the Darajat geothermal steam field, by Wolfgang Soyer, Randall Mackie, Stephen Hallinan, Alice Pavesi, Gregg Nordquist, Aquardi Suminar, Rindu Intani and Chris Nelson. First Break: Issue: Vol 36, No 6, June 2018 pp. 77 - 83.

Canada: Drilling of Four Test Wells Begins at Canoe Reach Geothermal Project

Groundbreaking: geothermal drilling finally begins (The Rocky Mountain Goat)

It’s called ‘spudding.’ It’s the process of beginning to drill a well in the oil and gas industry and Borealis GeoPower is doing it near the Kinbasket Reservoir – but it’s not oil they’re drilling for.

Borealis GeoPower, a Calgary-based energy company began drilling on Monday, June 11, and they aren’t looking for oil. They are looking for heat radiating from the earth’s core, finding its way up through the Rocky Mountain trench.

The four geothermal test wells, if successful, could give rise to the first geothermal power plant in the country, potentially supplying the valley with stable local power. The test well will show how the temperature increases with depth and, with luck, will confirm the exploration work already been done in the area over the last eight years.

This is the first exploratory drill hole in the area despite an interest in the area’s geothermal resources dating back to the 1970s.

Read More........

Iceland: Video on Direct Use of Geothermal Heat for Greenhouses

How Geothermal Energy Revolutionised Iceland’s Greenhouses | Earth Lab (BBC)

Renewable energy provides almost all electricity in Iceland. But what is about Iceland's unique geology that allows it to produce such cheap renewable energy?

(8:52 minutes)

Kenya: Chinese Company Gets EPS Contract for Sosian Menengai Geothermal Power Project

Sinomach subsidiary signs contract for Kenyan power station (News Release)

China Machinery Engineering Co (CMEC), a subsidiary of Sinomach, signed an EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) contract for the Kenya Menengai 35 MW geothermal power project with Sosian Menengai Geothermal Power Ltd (SMGP), in Beijing on June 9. 

It is the first geothermal power project that CMEC has taken on, and it is expected to help the company expand its business in this field.

Read More.........

Ethiopia: More Funding for 10 MW Tendaho Geothermal Power Project

French Development Agency Provides 18 Million Euros For Urban And Geothermal Development In Ethiopia (addisstandard.com)

A signing ceremony of two grant agreements took place at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Cooperation (MoFEC) between Admasu Nebebe, Ethiopian State Minister of Finance and Economic Cooperation, Frederic Bontems, Ambassador of France to Ethiopia and Mr Ignace Monkam-Daverat, the French Agency for Development (AFD) Regional Manager in Addis Ababa, for a total of 18 million euros.

With the second agreement, 8 million euros grant will be provided in contribution to the Tendaho Geothermal Development Project. It is funded by the European Union, through the European Union Africa Infrastructure Trust Fund (EU-AITF). This investment grant constitutes an additional funding to this project, which already benefited from a 9 million euros concessional loan from AFD and a total of 7,5 million euros from previous EU-AITF grants. The financing will enable to complete the drilling activities planned as part of the geothermal exploration and development effort in the Afar region.

The activities will focus on developing a shallow reservoir in Tendaho in order to allow a sustainable exploitation with a capacity of an estimated 10 MW, and on exploiting a deep reservoir by drilling wells at great depth.

Read More.........

From the Global Geothermal News archives:

• Thursday, March 8, 2018 - Ethiopia: Invitation to Provide Drilling Services for Tendaho Geothermal Power Project
• Thursday, July 2, 2015 - Ethiopia: Ethiopia Ratifies Loan Agreement for Tendaho Geothermal Development Project

Geothermal Energy Event of the Year - Essential Information

GRC Annual Meeting & Expo - A Geothermal Event!

Geothermal’s Role in Today’s Energy Market

14-17 October, 2018

Peppermill Resort Spa Casino, Reno, Nevada, USA

Nearly 1,000 attendees came to the 2017 GRC Annual Meeting and Expo from 35 different countries 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 2018.

• 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.

Kenya: Good Source of Information on Geothermal Energy Projects Public Private Partnerships

Public Private Partnerships (PPP) Disclosure Portal Launch (National Treasury)

A Public Private Partnerships (PPP) disclosure portal has been launched by the Cabinet Secretary, National Treasury and Planning, Mr. Henry K. Rotich EGH.

The portal is a centralized database of real time PPP project information across all stages of project development and operation.

The database includes three geothermal energy projects:

• 35 MW Menengai Phase I (Sosian)
• Menengai 35 MW Geothermal Energy Project (Quantum)
• 140 MW Geothermal PPP project at Olkaria

Read More........

Denmark: A New Business Model to Deliver Geothermal Heat to Danish Homes

Geothermal energy has the potential to cover 30% of Denmark’s district heating supply (News Release)

Geothermal energy is a renewable and currently untapped energy source with the potential to cover approx. 30% of Denmark’s energy supply for district heating, equaling the heat consumption of 500,000 households. That is one of the promising claims from A.P. Moller Holding who is seeking to introduce geothermal energy on a large scale in Denmark.

There are currently three minor geothermal plants in Denmark, but A.P. Moller Holding presents a new business model which differs from the existing projects. A.P. Moller Holding is responsible for exploration, construction, and operation of the plants. Hence, the consumers will not end up paying the bill if things should not proceed as planned.

Read More.........

Europe: 50 Million Euros to Fund Nine Geothermal Projects

Geothermica Projects Start Kicking Off (News Release)

European Research Area (ERA) NET Cofund has selected nine high quality trans-national projects on geothermal energy for funding. The total investment in the projects is close to € 50 million. About half is funded by Geothermica and the other half comes from project partners. As soon as all contracts have been signed, the projects will be announced at the Geothermica website.

Projects cover a broad range of topics such as heat storage, managing induced seismicity, EGS drilling and completion, production operations, composite casing and integrated applications of geothermal heat. They have participants from the Netherlands, Switzerland, Iceland, Ireland, France, Flanders, Denmark, Slovenia, Germany, Spain, Italy and Azores Portugal.

Read More........

France: 71 Degree Geothermal Waters from 1,800 Meters Depth Heat Paris Suburb

10.000 logements chauffés par géothermie à Grigny et Viry-Châtillon - 10,000 homes heated by geothermal energy in Grigny and Viry-Châtillon (Les Echos)

Le nouvel équipement de géothermie des deux villes a été inauguré le 2 juin. Le dispositif entend notamment lutter contre la précarité énergétique des quartiers sensibles.

Mis en service l'hiver dernier, le réseau peut d'ores et déjà procurer 124 GWh de chaleur par an, soit l'équivalent de 12.000 logements. L'eau chaude est puisée dans le sous-sol des deux communes à une profondeur de 1.800 mètres ! A ce niveau, sa température atteint 71°C.

(From Google Translate)The new geothermal network in the two cities was inaugurated on June 2nd. The scheme intends to mitigate the fuel poverty of sensitive neighborhoods.

Put into service last winter, the network can already provide 124 GWh of heat per year, enough for 12,000 homes. Hot water is drawn from the basement of the two towns at a depth of 1,800 meters! At this level, its temperature reaches 71° C.

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

USA: Regional Grid Would make it Easier to Distribute Renewable Energy

California lawmakers move closer to regional electric grid (AP News)

A contentious proposal to link oversight of California’s electric grid with other states in the U.S. West narrowly cleared a legislative hurdle Tuesday, keeping alive a proposal that has divided environmentalists over the best way to expand renewable energy.

The proposal, backed by influential proponents including Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown, seeks to make it easier and cheaper to deploy renewable energy across the western United States. But critics say California would jeopardize renewable energy mandates by sharing grid management with states that use more coal and natural gas— a possibility they see as more likely under President Donald Trump.

The proposal approved Tuesday by a Senate committee would transition the California Independent System Operator, which is overseen by a governor-appointed board, to a regional group without political appointees.

Read More........

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Mexico: Two Day Conference on Geothermal Energy in Latin America - Earlybird Pricing Ends Today!

5th Geothermal Congress for Latin America and the Caribbean (GEOLAC 2018)

Global Geothermal News is pleased to be a Lead Content Partner and the Geothermal Resources Council as a Partner for the GEOLAC conference.

Your clients and counterparties will be with us in Mexico at the 5th Geothermal Congress for Latin America and the Caribbean (GEOLAC 2018); will you?

Among those confirmed:

Public Sector Officials:

• South & Central America - Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru
• Caribbean - Dominica, Nevis, St Kitts, St Vincent & Grenadines

Developers: EDC, Enel, Ormat, Storengy, Reykjavik Geothermal, Polaris,

Multilaterals: IDB, World Bank, OPIC, JICA, GIZ, KfW.

View the agenda........                      Register now...........

United Kingdom: Background on Geothermal Energy in the UK

Potential for geothermal energy resources in the UK (Parliament.uk)

An information pack was prepared for the debate in Westminster Hall on 19 June 2018 from 2.30-4pm on the Potential for Geothermal Energy Resources in the UK.

In the UK, there is a resource of geothermal energy at shallow depths which can be exploited with ground source heat pumps (GSHPs). GSHPs use pipes which are buried to extract heat from the ground. The upper 10–15 m of the ground is heated by solar radiation and acts a heat store.

There are some geothermal projects planned in the UK, for the generation of heat, electricity, or both. There is also a commercial plant in Southampton which in 1986, began delivering heat from a borehole to a district heating network, and is now operated by the energy firm ENGIE.

Read More........

United Kingdom: Important Debate on Geothermal Energy in the UK

Potential for geothermal energy resources in the UK (Parliamentlive.tv)

A debate took place in Westminster Hall on 19 June 2018 from 2.30-4pm on Potential for Geothermal Energy Resources in the UK. The debate was opened by Helen Goodman MP.

USA: Good Infographic on the Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy

Infographic: Digging Into Geothermal (DOE)

A new form of geothermal has big potential for America's energy future. A new infographic breaks it down.

Canada: New Tool Can Help Pinpoint Oil & Gas Wells in Alberta That Can be Repurposed for Geothermal Energy

Alberta's Geothermal Potential: Oil and Gas Well Filtering Dashboards (CanGEA)

There are ~60,000 Oil and Gas wells that have the potential to co-produce heat and/or power through the utilization of already existing wells and exploration data.

The Alberta Well Filtering Dashboard was released this morning and is now available on the CanGEA website. The dashboard works like the maps app to assist in locating areas of geothermal potential much like finding the closest coffee on your Monday morning commute to work.

The search can be narrowed down into temperature/use (Power/Industrial Heat/District Heat) and distance to existing municipalities and infrastructure.

Read More.........

Costa Rica: Inter-American Development Bank Loan to help Geothermal Energy Projects

Costa Rica Will Use Credit Line of $500 Million Granted by IDB For Environmental Programs (The Costa Rica Star)

(Courtesy CIA.gov)

President of Costa Rica, Carlos Alvarado, and the Minister of Treasury, Rocio Aguilar, signed this Monday Law No.9573 which grants Costa Rica a line of credit for $500 million from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) –known as Conditional Credit Loan for Investment Projects (CCLIP) – for the development of sustainable electric projects.

Some of the projects that will receive financing include, the Geothermal Plant Las Pailas II; the construction of Geothermal Plants Borinquen I and Borinquen II in Liberia; digitization of public services and conformation and expansions of smart cities.

Read More.........

From the Global Geothermal News archives:

• Friday, May 18, 2018 - Costa Rica: IDB Line of Credit to Help Development of 55 MW Borinquen I Geothermal Project
• Wednesday, August 2, 2017 - Costa Rica: Loan Contract Signed for 55 MW Borinquen I Geothermal Project
• Wednesday, June 21, 2017 - Costa Rica: JICA Provides Funds for 55 MW Borinquen I Geothermal Project

United Kingdom: Geothermal Spa Gets Planning Approval

Ambitious new geothermal hot spa at Jubilee Pool gets go-ahead (Cornwall Live)

Drilling has already started to reach the hot rocks which will mean the pool can be used all year round

An ambitious project to create a geothermal-heated spa at Jubilee Pool in Penzance has been given planning approval. It will mean the pool can open all year round and drilling has already started to reach the hot rocks which will heat the water.

Listed building consent has been granted by Cornwall Council for the project which will create a spa within one corner of the existing pool protected by a glass wind break along a new curved wall.

The water level within the new spa pool will range from 1m to 1.4m in depth and will contain fresh seawater heated to 35 degrees centigrade. The heat source for the pool will be from the 1,500m deep geothermal well currently being drilled in the triangular section of land outside the North-Eastern boundary of the Jubilee Pool site.

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