Global Geothermal News

Friday, May 11, 2012

Australia:

Hot Rocks Drill Site Picked (Geelong Advertiser)

Moriac has been named as the site for a flagship hot rocks project, with the first stage of the dig to cost $30 million.

Greenearth Energy Limited has been eyeing off parts of the region for at least five years and finally announced it had chosen to locate its project at the Holcim Quarry site on Forest Rd, which is 8.5 km north of Alcoa's coal-fired Anglesea power station.

USA, California:

President of ACORE to Speak at Hudson Ranch I Dedication (Todays Energy Solutions)

EnergySource, an independent renewable energy generation company that develops utility scale geothermal power plants, announced that retired Vice Adm. Dennis V. McGinn, president of the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE), will present the keynote address during the dedication ceremony on May 18 for the first new stand-alone geothermal plant in the Salton Sea area in 20 years.

The ceremony begins at 10 a.m. at the Hudson Ranch I plant in Calipatria, near the Salton Sea. The new plant just began commercial operation and is generating geothermal energy at its designed 49.9 MW capacity in one of the largest and highest temperature geothermal resources in North America – the Salton Sea field, Imperial County, CA.

El Salvador:

El Salvador to Add Between 60 and 90 MW of Geothermal Through 2026 (Power Engineering)

El Salvador could see the addition of 689 MW of renewable generating capacity through 2026 according to a renewables development master plan, Business News Americas said.

Hydro projects up to 20 MW would add up to 170 MW of generation, followed by 200 MW of thermo solar, 90 MW of photovoltaics (PV), between 60 and 90 MW of geothermal, 60 MW of wind, 45 MW of biomass and 35 MW of biogas, the article said.

Current capacity from these sources could reach 204 MW of geothermal, 110 MW of biomass, 35 MW of hydro (with projects up to 20 MW each), 6.3 MW of biogas and 0.5 MW of PV, according to the article.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency reportedly helped draft the plan that is part of the country’s national energy policy, the article said.

Indonesia:

Jakarta Gathers Steam to Ramp up Geothermal Industry (Renewable Energy Magazine)

(Courtesy REM)

Located in the infamous Ring of Fire, Jakarta is an apt setting for Green Power Conferences’ next geothermal event, which kicks off GeoPower Indonesia & Philippines event just 4 weeks away. Undoubtedly, discussions will turn to why a country such as Japan, as much seismic energy bouncing around as it has, uses remarkably little geothermal power now — only 0.5 GW of its 23 GW potential.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Australia:

Geodynamics Making Faster than Expected Progress with Cooper Basin Geothermal Well (Proactive Investors - Australia)

Geodynamics of Queensland, Australia, is progressing faster than expected in the current section that its Habanero 4 geothermal well in the Cooper Basin is drilling through.

The well which was spudded in March to re-establish access to the Habanero hot rock reservoir is currently at a depth of 2819 metres.

The company added that as depth increases, the rate of penetration will decrease in the harder formtions.

Malaysia:

First Geothermal Power Plant in Malaysia on Track for 2015 Opening (The Borneo Post)

The phase one of Tawau Green Energy Geothermal Power Plant involving generating capacity of 36MW is expected to be completed in 2015.

The power plant at Apas Kiri, which is the first renewable and sustainable project of its kind in Malaysia, will supply 30MW to the Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) grid.

Sustainable Energy Development Authority of Malaysia (SEDA Malaysia) chairman Tan Sri Dr Fong Chan Onn, who visited the project site yesterday, said the plant will be Malaysia’s first grid-connected geothermal power plant.

Technology:

Dirty Deeds Lead to Renewable Energy (News Release - PR Wire)

Renewable energy comes in various different forms – through wind, sunlight, water and more. With the global industry relying on renewable energy now more than ever in their quest for a carbon-reduced world, the engineering of these new, sustainable energy forms is becoming more diverse and more innovative.

One such innovation, however, really takes the ‘clean’ out of clean energy. Chinese engineers are pioneering and implementing the world’s first large scale sewerage geothermal technology.

Developed by Jin Da Di Energy Engineering & Technology Co. in Tianjin China, this renewable energy source relies on heat harvested by sewerage in order to create energy. The actual process involves the implementation of pipes, which divert waste water flow into a heat extractor, which is then used to heat and cool buildings.

Papua New Guinea:

KUTh Energy Tweaks Papua New Guinea Geothermal Agreement (Proactive Investors - Australia)

KUTh Energy, based in Sydney, Australia, has changed its agreement with Kula Energy, limiting the latter to earning a 49.8% stake in KUTh’s Papua New Guinea subsidiary.

The two companies had on 11 January reached a memorandum of understanding covering the conversion of 3 exploration licence applications into licences.

Under the original deal, Kula would earn interest in KUTh Energy (PNG) Ltd (KPNG) by investing its own equity and human resources to accelerate this conversion or buy all shares in KPNG for A$502,000.

The new deal removes the option to buy all shares in KPNG but rather would grant Kula a 35% equity interest in KPNG if it manages to achieve the grant of at least 1 licence application within 12 months or submits a new application for an additional Exploration Licence over an agreed identified area.

Technology:

Oil & Gas Drillers Buzz Includes Geothermal Issues (The Durango Herald)

More than 2,200 people from government and industry attended the Four Corners Oil and Gas Conference in Farmington, New Mexico. The conference, in its 11th year, aims to educate the local industry about new technologies, current regulations, and environmental and safety-compliance issues.

Geothermal energy was a topic of discussion at the conference. Oil and gas companies have the technology and the know-how to access geothermal sources, making it a topic of interest among those looking to diversify their energy portfolio, said John Roe, an engineer manager with Dugan Production.

There is geothermal potential around the edges of the San Juan Basin, and it is already being developed near Los Alamos, N.M., said Tyson Foutz, a petroleum engineer for Merrion Oil and Gas.

Among renewable-power sources, geothermal is one of the most economically viable, Foutz said.

“It has been a topic of interest (among drillers) for some time,” he said.

USA, Nevada:

U.S. Geothermal Announces New San Emidio Power Plant Beginning Performance Testing (Press release - Marketwire)

San Emido Power Plant (Courtesy U.S. Geothermal)

U.S. Geothermal Inc., announced today that its engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor has started performance testing on the new 8.6 net megawatt San Emidio power plant. Performance testing includes guaranteed output, capacity, reliability and continuous operation tests that the plant must pass to achieve both commercial operation under the PPA and substantial completion under the EPC contract.

The plant has undergone component commissioning during the past three weeks and has operated at generation levels of up to 9 megawatts net (12 megawatts gross). During commissioning and performance testing, all power generated is sold under the PPA at a rate of $50.00 per megawatt-hour until commercial operation is achieved. Upon acceptance of commercial operation by NV Energy, the power rate will increase to $89.75 per megawatt-hour with a 1% annual escalation.

USA:

How the U.S. Geothermal Market Is and Is Not Growing (NREL)

Timeline of federal geothermal financial incentives (Courtesy NREL)

Apparently little happened in the way of new, operational geothermal plants in 2011, if you look at the Geothermal Energy Association's 2012 annual Power Production and Development report.

Although the United States remains in the lead globally in terms of installed capacity with 3,187 MW, only 91 MW of additional capacity came on line last year (not subtracting for replaced capacity). And nearly 50 MW of this additional installed capacity was at a single plant: the Hudson Ranch 1 in California.

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Canada:

2012 Pierre Péladeau Bursaries: New Geothermal Business Nets $30,000 (4-traders)

For the 13th consecutive year, Quebecor, a media company operating from Québec, is rewarding the best business projects entered in the Pierre Péladeau Bursaries competition. Three young Québec entrepreneurs will share $100,000 to help them realize their dream and build the Québec of the future.

The 2012 Second Pierre Péladeau Bursary, worth $30,000, goes to Therbec Énergie, founded by François-Mathieu Potvin, who holds a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Université Laval. Therbec is planning to market a cutting-edge new thermodynamic process to boost output at geothermal plants. The revolutionary thermal process can be introduced at existing power plants.

USA, Nevada:

Ormat Technologies' CEO Discusses Q1 2012 Results - Earnings Call Transcript (seekingalpha)

Transcript of the Ormat Technologies' Earnings Call involving Dita Bronicki, Chief Executive Officer; Yoram Bronicki, President and Chief Operating Officer; Joseph Tenne, Chief Financial Officer; and Smadar Lavi, Vice President of Corporate Finance and Investor Relations.

Technology:

Low-Temperature Geothermal: Digging for Its Vast Opportunity (Renewable Energy World.com)

Low-temperature geothermal could be just what the industry needs to make a leap forward, but it needs research and technology support to get there.

The geothermal industry recognizes the need for innovation. Halley Dickey of TAS Energy, Karl Gawell of the GEA, and Doug Glaspey of U.S. Geothermal Inc. expressed the crucial importance of research and development in the geothermal industry during a conference call last month. Most experts have their sights set on the vast potential of and innovative use of low-temperature geothermal resources.

Global:

Frost & Sullivan: Energy Efficiency Initiatives Spur Growth in Global Geothermal Market (Penn Energy)

As governments worldwide are unleashing initiatives to ramp up energy security and independence over the past three years, the global geothermal power markets have experienced high growth. Other factors spearheading expansion in this market are escalating energy prices, volatile fuel costs, and government incentives on renewable energy. Low levelized cost of energy (LCOE) renders the cost of geothermal energy competitive compared to other sources of electricity generation. In most regions, energy from geothermal sources is less expensive than wind, solar and biomass power.

Analysis from Frost & Sullivan's Global Geothermal Power Market research finds that the market earned revenues of more than $1.16 billion in 2010 and estimates this to reach $5.89 billion in 2017.

"By the end of 2010, there were about 10,902 megawatts (MW) of geothermal installed capacity in the world, and the majority of this capacity was installed in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region and represented almost 41.1 percent of the total market in 2010," said Frost & Sullivan Senior Industry Analyst Georgina Benedetti. "All the regions are expected to grow in the foreseeable future, with some showing stronger growth."

Indonesia, Malaysia:

Continental Buys First Stake In A Geothermal Energy Project (Daily Markets)

Continental Energy Corporation, an emerging international energy company operating in Southeast Asia, today announced that it has purchased a 10% stake in Tawau Green Energy Sdn. Bhd., a privately held company based in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.

TGE is a geothermal energy developer. On November 29, 2011, TGE entered into a Renewable Energy Power Purchase Agreement (the “PPA“) with Sabah Electricity Sdn. Bhd. (“SESB“) to supply a capacity of 30 megawatts of electrical power to SESB’s East Coast Sabah power grid. SESB is a utility owned 80% by Tenaga Nasional Berhad, the federally owned electrical generation authority and utility of Malaysia and 20% by the State Government of Sabah. TGE is developing a volcano related geothermal resource known as “Apas Kiri” which is located in southern Sabah near the city of Tawau approximately 100 miles north of Continental’s Bengara-II oil and gas PSC in Indonesia.

Phillipines:

EDC Outlines Plans for Geothermal Spending (Business World Online)

“We are looking at a complete capital expenditure of about P20 billion company-wide," said Energy Development Corp. (EDC) President Richard B. Tantoco in a press briefing after the firm’s annual stockholders’ meeting yesterday.

Some of the budget will be used for the rehabilitation of the Bacon-Manito geothermal plant, the purchase of brand new rigs and transfer of the Northern Negros geothermal plant to the Nasulo site in the Palinpinon geothermal complex, he said.

Meanwhile, the transfer of the shuttered Northern Negros geothermal facilities is expected to increase the company’s revenues as it will increase the capacity of the Nasulo site.

“We have two adjacent wells in Nasulo that are over 45-MW but [with an installed capacity of] only 20 MW. So with the move of Northern Negros, [there will be] additional capacity,” Mr. Tantoco said. “Typically, when you look at geothermal power, one megawatt delivers about P40 million to P45 million per year, so the new capacity will mean almost P1 billion new revenues,” he added.

There is no timeline yet for the transfer of Northern Negros but Mr. Tantoco said the firm will be bidding out a contract by June. After the Northern Negros plant is moved, EDC will build a much smaller plant in the area. It will have a capacity of 5 MW to 10 MW.

USA, Nevada:

Ormat Technologies Reports First Quarter 2012 Results (News Release - Sacramento Bee)

Quarterly highlights and recent developments:

Total revenues increased 35 percent to $132.4 million;
Cash flow from operations of $41.9 million;
Operating income of $25.7 million and EBITDA of $51.5 million;
Gross margin percentage 30.1 percent compared to 15.3 percent during same period last year; and
Robust product backlog of $207 million as of May 8, 2012.

Commenting on the results, Dita Bronicki, Chief Executive Officer of Ormat, stated: "We had a very good first quarter. Total revenues increased 35 percent year-over-year, while our combined gross margin almost doubled from the same period last year. Net income significantly improved and we continued to invest in our long-term growth strategy.

"The good results of the quarter are a testament to the continued progress that we have made in both our electricity and product segments. On the electricity side, we see the result of the well field and equipment improvement which increased generation and reduced operating costs. On the product side, we have successfully translated our technological leadership and proven execution abilities into a substantial backlog."

Saudi Arabia:

Saudi Arabia Urged to Target 4 GW Geothermal Power by 2032 (Arab News.com )

The King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (KA-CARE), set up to advise on the energy mix, said the kingdom should install 4 GW of geothermal and waste-to-energy capacity by 2032. The group also suggested that around 41 gigawatts of solar power should be installed over the next 20 years,

"I'm confident Saudi Arabia will approve a diversified energy mix this year," Khalid Al-Sulaiman, vice president for renewable energy at KA-CARE, told Reuters after a presentation outlining its recommendation to the Saudi government.

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Iran:

Iran to Commission 1st Geothermal Plant Next Year (Press TV)

The Managing director of the Renewable Energy Organization of Iran (REOI) says the country is set to commission its first geothermal power plant to become one of a handful of nations with geothermal technology.

Yousef Armodeli noted on Tuesday that installing the 5-megawatt (MW) power plant, which is a pilot plant and the first of its kind in the Middle East, will soon be carried out and its power generation capacity will hit 50 MW after more turbines are installed.

USA:

Energy Department Announces Finalists for National University Geothermal Energy Competition (EERE News)

The competition, managed by DOE's Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), will culminate in October when three teams present their findings at the annual meeting of the Geothermal Resources Council, September 30-October 3, in Reno, Nevada.

The U.S. Energy Department announced today that eight university teams have been selected to compete in the 2012 National Geothermal Student Competition.

Boise State University
Colorado School of Mines
Cornell University Energy Institute
Cornell University Sustainable Design
Idaho State University
Southern Methodist University Geothermal Laboratory
University of Idaho
University of Texas, Austin

Iceland:

Iceland to Lead EU Geothermal Research Programs With $2.6m Grant (Cross Posted from ThinkGeoenergy)

Icelandic National Energy Authority in cooperation with GEORG will lead an EU geothermal research program across eight countries with a total grant provided of $2.6 million as part of the Geothermal ERA-NET grant program by the European Commission.

New Zealand:

Ngatamariki Geothermal Station Build Reaches Milestone (Voxy.co.nz)

The arrival of a major shipment to Mighty River Power's Ngatamariki geothermal development over the last week marked a significant milestone in the construction of the Company's 82MW plant.

The shipment of the towers for the air cooling system, from international geothermal technology supplier Ormat, weighed more than 2,000 tonnes and arrived in New Zealand at the Port of Tauranga.

Approximately 90 truckloads of equipment were delivered on site over the last week. The cooling system is made up of four structures that, at approximately 15 meters high and 300 meters in combined length, represent a significant physical aspect to the plant.

Japan:

Fukushima Spa Hopes for Recovery with Geothermal Heat (Power Engineering)

(Courtesy The Tsuchiyu-Onsen Tourist Association)

Members pin high hopes on a geothermal power-generation system that uses heat from hot springs. The heat will be used to boil ammonia, which has a low boiling point, to drive turbine generators. The project has won a subsidy from the Environment Ministry.

The new system, which can utilize excess hot spring water, is considered to be more environment-friendly than existing geothermal power generation systems. These require large-scale plants to generate electricity from high-temperature gases from deep in the ground.

The group aims for the generation of 500 kilowatts per hour by the end of March 2014. It also plans to build small-scale hydropower generation facilities that use local river water.

The combined target is 1,100 kilowatts per hour, covering all of the electricity used in the area.

Monday, May 7, 2012

USA, California:

Air Quality Regulators OK New Calpine Power Plants in the Geysers (pressdemocrat.com)

Calpine has won permits from air quality regulators to build two new geothermal power plants at The Geysers in Sonoma County, a $700 million project that will generate nearly 100 megawatts of electricity.

The first plant could start production in 2014 if Calpine can negotiate contracts to sell the renewable energy.

Last month, Calpine won approval from the Northern Sonoma County Air Pollution Control District for the two plants, known as Wildhorse and Buckeye. They're located in the geothermal area about 12 miles northeast of Healdsburg.

Read More.......

Germany:

EGS in Germany (Cross-Posted from ThinkGeoenergy)

German utility EnBW is actively looking at Enhanced Geothermal Systems and considers it as an attractive energy option given the possible application in regions without conventional geothermal resources.

ThinkGeoEnergy spoke with Dr. Thomas Kölbel, Senior Manager at German utility EnBW. He will be speaking about the cost of power generation from geothermal in the context of EGS at the upcoming International Conference on Enhanced Geothermal Systems (ICEGS 2012) taking place in Freiburg, Germany on May 25, 2012.

USA, Oregon:

Geothermal the Next Big Alt-Energy? One Company Thinks So (Crosscut.com)

Map of the Newberry Volano east of the Cascades
in Oregon (Courtesy U.S. Geological Survey/Wikipedia)

A Seattle firm's new project seeking to prove geothermal energy is safe and viable will have to overcome two obstacles: concerns over induced earthquakes and a need for a challenging amount of funding.

The Seattle-based company AltaRock Energy, along with Oregon company Davenport Newberry, is embarking on a project that is a longstanding dream of sci-fi nerds everywhere: creating energy by harnessing the heat found deep within the Earth.

Global:

The GRC Awards - Seeking the Best in Global Geothermal (Renewable Energy World.com)

Last years winners of the GRC Awards

The 31st Annual Award winners will be announced at the Geothermal Resources Council Annual Meeting in Reno, Nevada.

The Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) is 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 honored at the GRC Annual Member Meeting and Awards Luncheon, the climax to the GRC Annual Meeting being held at the Peppermill Resort Spa in Reno, Nevada, USA from September 30 - October 3. The theme for this year's meeting is Geothermal: Reliable, Renewable, Global.

USA, Utah:

Enel Green Power Starts Build of 25 Megawatt (MW) Plant at Cove Fort in Utah (Reuters)

Enel Green Power has started work on a new geothermal plant in the United States as Italy's biggest renewable energy company begins to shift its focus from core markets in Europe to high potential areas.

Enel Green Power (EGP) said on Monday it would invest about $126 million to build a 25 megawatt (MW) plant at Cove Fort in Utah, which is expected to start operations before the end of 2013.

"Cove Fort will add to the net geothermal capacity we already have installed in the U.S. which currently stands at 47 MW," EGP Chief Executive Francesco Starace said in the statement.

Friday, May 4, 2012

British Leeward Islands:

Montserrat Gets Go Ahead for Geothermal Exploration (Cogeneration & On-Site Power Production)

(Courtesy Google)

Montserrat's government announced it received the UK's greenlight and assurance of financial support for geothermal exploration after signing a MOU with the Department for International Development.

Funds will support phase one of an exploratory well drilling program over 12 months starting May 2012, including site preparation and access works, drilling, supervision and testing. A group currently drilling in Dominica will assess potential sites and make a decision on tendering for the project.

Global:

Last Chance to Submit Papers
for GRC Annual Meeting 2012!

Peppermill Resort Spa Casino

Deadline is midnight (PST), tonight!

The Geothermal Resources Council issued a reminder for a call for papers today to be presented at the GRC Annual Meeting, the world’s largest geothermal event, taking place September 30-October 3, 2012, in Reno, Nevada, at the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino.

~ Instructions (PDF) ~ Submission Form (PDF)

USA, Hawai'i:

Inter-Island Power Cable Bill Clears Hawaii Senate (MSNBC.com)

A proposal to connect Hawaii's Oahu and the neighbor island power grids with an undersea cable has cleared a legislative hurdle.

The state Senate on Thursday approved a bill that would allow the state to establish regulations for development of a high-voltage electric transmission undersea cable.

Proponents of the cable say it would allow power sharing between islands, which could increase the reliability of electricity and stabilize power costs. The cable proposal has benefits for Maui wind farms and Big Island geothermal plants, as well.

USA, California:

Fitch Downgrades Coso Geothermal Power Holdings LLC's 2007 Pass-Through Trust Certificates to 'CCC'
(Sun Herald.com)

Fitch Ratings has downgraded the rating on Coso Geothermal Power Holdings LLC's (CGP) $629 million ($523 million outstanding) pass through certificates due 2026 from 'B' to 'CCC'. The downgrade reflects the continued decline in net capacity of the Coso geothermal resource (Coso) and projected cash flows that will be insufficient to meet debt obligations.

USA, Hawai'i:

Environmental Exemptions for Geothermal Energy Near Final Approval (KITV.com - Honolulu)

The 30-megawatt Puna Geothermal Venture plant
on the Big Island. (Courtesy: Ormat Technologies)

Unlike wind or solar, geothermal energy located deep below the earth's surface is always on.

But companies will often shy away from exploring new geothermal sites in Hawaii because of the state's strict environmental regulations, which cost both time and money.

On Thursday, a subcommittee of the state Environmental Council heard from potential geothermal developers about why the State Land Department should be allowed to waive certain environmental regulations.

"The cost and timelines of the current rules make it restrictive to explore in this state," said Bill Sherman, land manager for Ormat Technologies, a Nevada based company that owns the 30 megawatt geothermal plant in Puna on the Big Island.

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Australia:

Greenearth Energy Clears Another Hurdle with Victorian Geothermal Project Site Selection (Proactive Investors- Australia)

Greenearth Energy has ticked another box towards the development of the Geelong Geothermal Power Project with the selection of the proposed site.

A preliminary memorandum of intent has been entered into with Holcim (Australia) to site the geothermal power plant at Holcim’s Moriac quarry, 8.5 kilometres north-northwest of Alcoa’s brown coal-fired power station at Anglesea, Victoria.

USA, Nevada:

Inauguration of World's First Hybrid Energy Plant in Nevada - Video (KRNV - Reno)

The world's first hybrid solar-geothermal project is located in a field, about 12 miles northeast of Fallon. Enel Green Power inaugurated the Stillwater project during a ceremony today.

According to Francesco Venturini, head of Enel Green Power, the integration of the two technologies brings significant benefits. Venturini says the quality of energy is higher when solar and geothermal energy are combined.

Governor Brian Sandoval praised Enel for its innovation and leadership. Sandoval says the project means jobs and economic growth for Nevada. (VIDEO - 2:04 Minutes)

Phillipines, Australia:

EDC, Hot Rock Sign Joint-Venture Deals for Latin America Projects (Business Mirror - Manila)

Energy Development Corp. (EDC), the Phillipines largest geothermal developer, said it executed on Thursday shareholders’ agreements (SHA) and ancillary documents with Hot Rock Ltd. (HRL) of Australia.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, EDC said the agreement will set up project companies for each of the Longavi geothermal concession in Chile, and the Chocopata and Quellaapacheta geothermal authorizations in Peru.

The project companies will allow the joint venture to commence exploration activities at the said sites.

USA, Nevada:

University of Nevada, Reno Hosting Second National Geothermal Academy (News Release - altenergymag.com)

Students from the 2011 National Geothermal Academy
explore steaming fissures on the Ormat Steamboat Springs
property just south of Reno.
(Photo by Wendy Calvin, University of Nevada, Reno.)

With the growth of geothermal energy production gaining momentum, scientists, engineers and students are looking this summer toward the University of Nevada, Reno for the second annual National Geothermal Academy.

The academy runs from June 18 to Aug. 10, and features a wide variety of geothermal professionals and professors, including personnel from Cornell University, the University of Calgary, Southern Methodist University, the Oregon Institute of Technology, Stanford University, the University of Utah, and West Virginia University, as well as recognized industry leaders and consultants.

USA, Oregon:

Susan Petty on The Exciting Things Ahead For Altarock Energy (Cross-posted from ThinkGeoenergy)

In this interview with ThinkGeoEnergy, Susan Petty, the CEO of AltaRock Energy discusses the company’s Newberry project in Oregon, the technology it has been developing and the potential for it being provided as a service to conventional geothermal projects.

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

USA, Nevada:

World's First Hybrid Geothermal-Solar Plant Is Online (Sustainable Business.com)

The world's first hybrid geothermal-solar plant is now online in Nevada. The 59 megawatt (MW) Stillwater project includes 26 MW of solar and was built by Enel Green Power North America. All the power is being sold to the utility, NV Energy.

The integration of the two technologies brings significant benefits: solar provides electricity during peak hours when thermal efficiency of the geothermal unit is lowest, enabling base load power, and there are cost savings from a shared infrastructure and transmission connection. There's also a smaller environmental footprint per unit of renewable energy produced and delivered.

The geothermal plant has been operating since 2009 and 89,000 solar PV panels are on an adjacent 240 acres.

Global:

Deadline for the GRC Annual Meeting Call for Papers is Just 3 Days Away!

Peppermill Resort Spa Casino

Deadline is Friday,
May 4.

The Geothermal Resources Council issued a reminder for a call for papers today to be presented at the GRC Annual Meeting, the world’s largest geothermal event, taking place September 30-October 3, 2012, in Reno, Nevada, at the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino.

~ Instructions (PDF) ~ Submission Form (PDF)

East Africa:

East Africa Power Report Q2 2012 - New Market Research Report (TransWorldNews)

In the five years from 2011 to 2016, Kenyas overall power generation is expected to increase by an annual average of 7.23% to reach 10.76TWh. Driving this growth will be a 9.85% annual average rise in the supply of renewables-based electricity.

Kenya plans to significantly increase the amount of energy generated by geothermal facilities. The country is already Africas largest producer of geothermal power thanks to its strategic position over shifting tectonic plates. Over the next two to three years, the government plans to invest US$1.4bn in the construction of several new geothermal power plants with a total installed generation capacity of 280MW.

By 2030, Kenya hopes to be generating 5GW of power from geothermal power; that would put Kenya among world leaders in geothermal terms.

Technology:

Mining for Heat (EurekAlert!)

Underground mining is a sweaty job, and not just because of the hard work it takes to haul ore: Mining tunnels fill with heat naturally emitted from the surrounding rock.

A group of researchers from McGill University in Canada has taken a systematic look at how such heat might be put to use once mines are closed. They calculate that each kilometer of a typical deep underground mine could produce 150 kW of heat, enough to warm 5 to 10 Canadian households during off-peak times.

USA, Washington:

Will Geothermal Scale The Slopes of Cascades Volcano? (Earth Techling)

Mount Baker (Courtesy U.S. Geological Survey)

A plan to tap the geothermal potential of one of the Cascade Range’s most impressive volcanoes has been thrown open for public consultation.

The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) has begun the consultation to decide whether forest land near Mount Baker should be leased out to power companies for the purpose of producing geothermal energy.

The service is considering allowing the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to open for leasing about 5,500 acres on the southeast side of Mount Baker. The project is located in Whatcom County, Wash., in the Baker River watershed. The nominated lands are situated south of the Mount Baker Wilderness and east of the Mount Baker Nature Reserve Area.

It is believed that power companies would use thermal vents in the vicinity of the peak to tap the energy of the volcano.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

USA, Minnesota:

Underneath Minnesota, Abundant Geothermal Energy Goes Untapped (Finance and Commerce)

(Courtesy Wikipedia Commons)

Beneath Minnesota’s often cold surface is a hot heart of granite that could serve as an energy source in the future.

Scientists studying the Earth’s crust in Minnesota have discovered that the geothermal potential is much greater than originally thought, especially in the western and central parts of the state. If harnessed, that energy source could replace today’s power infrastructure at a competitive price.

“When you look at all the energy emitted from the core of the Earth every day, it amounts to three times the amount of energy used in the world,” said Donald Fosnacht of the University of Minnesota-Duluth’s Natural Resources Research Institute. “It’s basically lost to space.”

India:

Hot Water Discovered in Kashmir (The Times of India)

(Courtesy SiachenGlacier.com)

The highest battlefield in the world, Siachen glacier, where India and Pakistan have fought intermittently since 1984, hides a warming truth, recently discovered.

Geologists have discovered hot water from geothermal sources in the glacier which is nearly 15 degrees warm in plunging -40 degree Celsius weather.

The hot source has come as a relief in the freezing conditions as it can now be used for growing vegetables, setting up green houses on the glacier besides cutting down heavy reliance on expensive fossil fuels.

Chile:

EDC Pulls Out of 185MW Calerias Geothermal Project (Business News Americas)

Phillipines geothermal company Energy Development Corporation (EDC) has pulled out of the 185MW Calerias energy project in Chile's central region VI after encountering disappointing exploration results during a recent resource assessment.

The firm's partner in the Calerias project, Australian renewable energy company Hot Rock limited, resumes 100% control of the resource and will now reassess its own plans for progressing the project, located 100km southeast of Chilean capital Santiago, the company said in its latest operations report.

Republic of Vanuatu:

Geothermal Energy in Vanuatu Tipped to Boost Economic Activity (Radio New Zealand International)

KUTh geothermal tenements in Efate, Vanuatu

(Courtesy Kuth Energy).

An Australian geothermal power developer says turning Vanuatu’s geothermal energy into electricity can boost economic activity.

Kuth Energy is finalising a deal with the Vanuatu government to establish at least two four megawatt geothermal power plants on the main island Efate to supply electricity.

The company’s Managing Director, David McDonald, says it hopes to support villagers wanting to take advantage of opportunities from a new sealed coastal ring road on Efate.

Technology:

Geothermal Stimulation Enhances Production (and Profits) (Green Technology Investments.com)

(Courtesy Green Technology Investments.com)

Ormat Technologies Inc., Nevada Geothermal Power Inc., U.S. Geothermal Inc. and other geothermal power providers are rapidly moving towards new and innovative techniques to enhance production. One of these methods is known as “geothermal stimulation” and could dramatically boost the industry.

Geothermal stimulation involves pumping very high volumes of cold water from the surface at just above the critical pressure for shear failure. With no gels and usually no proppants, the technique stimulates pre-existing micro fractures in order to provide greater flow between the injection and production wells. The ideal amount of time that it takes the water to flow between the two wells is 4-6 weeks. If the water moves too quickly between the wells, it doesn’t have the chance to become heated to a sufficient enough temperature for power production. If the water flows too slowly, the result can be a lack of a sufficient volume of water for power production.

USA, New Mexico:

New Mexico Utility Files Renewable Energy Plan with Regulators (CBS News)

(Courtesy Wikipedia commons)

PNM would enter into a 20-year power purchase agreement for the geothermal energy produced by a 10 MW facility to be built and operated by Lightning Dock Geothermal.

New Mexico's largest electric utility Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) plans to add geothermal energy and more solar energy in 2013 and 2014, so that more of the total energy customers buy will come from renewable sources.

Public Service Company of New Mexico, a unit of PNM Resources Inc., submitted its annual renewable energy plan to the Public Regulation Commission on Monday.

PNM would enter into a 20-year power purchase agreement for the geothermal energy produced by a 10 MW facility to be built and operated by Lightning Dock Geothermal southwest of Lordsburg, N.M., and in service by January 2014.

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