USA, California:

Imperial Valley Renewable Energy Summit & Expo Starts Today (Imperial Valley Press)

Tim Kelley, chief executive officer of the Imperial Valley Economic Development Corp., gives his opening remarks during a press conference ahead of the sixth annual Renewable Energy Summit. (ALEJANDRO DAVILA PHOTO / March 13, 2013)

The sixth annual Imperial Valley Renewable Energy Summit & Expo starts today, and as previewed in a press conference Tuesday at the Barbara Worth Resort, the summit promises to be once again a watershed for renewable energy developers and their projects.

The summit kicks off with a golf tournament and a tour of renewable energy projects in Imperial County. Workshops, mixers and panels of industry experts are scheduled for Thursday and Friday.

About 400 people are expected to attend the summit, said Tim Kelley, president and chief executive officer of the Imperial Valley Economic Development Corp.

Additionally, the summit will feature an exposition area for vendors and developers. The Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) will be exhibiting and reporting from the summit.

USA, California:

Bottle Rock Power Decision Delayed (Lake County Record-Bee)

Bottle Rock Power, LLC, will have to wait a little longer to find out if it can carry on geothermal activities for the next 30 years after a Cobb nonprofit group appealed the Lake County Planning Commission's approval of the extension.

Friends of Cobb Mountain filed an appeal to the Lake County Board of Supervisors (BOS) Thursday, arguing in part that the commission didn't follow state environmental law with its endorsement late last month.

"Our goal is not to hinder or stop or create an issue. We just believe that this extension of a 30-year use permit requires some level of review, not just a blanket approval," Robert Stark, secretary-treasurer for the organization, said Monday.

County planning commissioners voted to extend Bottle Rock Power's use permit until 2043 after a contentious hearing Feb. 28 during which 10 Cobb residents spoke out against the proposal.

Friends of Cobb Mountain listed two reasons for its appeal of that decision, claiming first that the commission failed to meet California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements. The group did not elaborate on what violations it thought took place.

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Technology:

UT Energy Forum: What are Viable Advancements for Geothermal Technology? (Renewable Energy World.com)

The Advanced Geothermal Systems panel at the University of Texas Energy Forum reviewed both current and promising new advanced geothermal systems, much of which receives DOE support.

"I am in full support of R&D that provides electrical power at lower risks and lower costs," said Douglas Hollet, director of geothermal technologies in Washington, D.C., who attended the forum.

Douglas Blankenship, manager of the geothermal research department at Sandia National Laboratories, who gave an overview of current status of Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS). He outlined both its tremendous long-term potential due to the vastness of the hot dry rock resource and its challenges in creating artificial reservoirs. Brian Anderson, associate professor at West Virginia University, added that it is difficult to attain closed circulation between injection wells and production wells, which results in the loss of working fluid and can lead to beneficial sequestration of the CO2 into the earth when using CO2 as the working fluid. Both Doug and Brian concluded that EGS technology will not be commercially viable for several years, but its long-term potential is very promising.

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USA, Nevada, California:

L.A. to Buy More Geothermal Power From Wild Rose Power Plant (kcet.org)

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (DWP) is set to start buying electricity from a new geothermal power plant in northern Nevada, DWP announced today on Twitter. Unless the Los Angeles City Council decides to intervene in the next few days, 13.71 MWe of power from the Wild Rose Geothermal Facility near Gabbs, NV will start flowing toward L.A.'s grid in January 2014.

The 20-year Power Purchase Agreement, which is part of a deal that also involves Burbank's municipal electrical utility, will set DWP back $99 per megawatt-hour, for an anticipated cost of $11 million a year.

The 35 MWe Wild Rose facility, owned by the geothermal firm Ormat, is now under construction in Mineral County, Nevada west of Gabbs. Approved by the BLM only a few months ago, the plant is expected to begin generating power late this year.

Australia:

Panax Geothermal Ltd CEO Resigns (4-traders - News Release)

The Board of Directors of Panax Geothermal Limited today announced the resignation of Kerry Parker as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.

Kerry Parker will leave the full time employment of Panax with effect from 30 April 2013. To ensure a smooth transition for Panax, Mr Parker will remain on the board of Panax as a Non-Executive Director until 30 August 2013.

Commenting today, Panax Chairman Athan Lekkas sincerely thanked Kerry for his contribution to Panax and to the geothermal sector both in Australia and internationally. The Board expressed its appreciation for Kerry's contribution in shaping and advancing Panax's position as an Australasian geothermal exploration and development company.

Kerry Parker commenced with Panax in 2007, and has been instrumental in assembling and managing Panax's portfolio of advanced geothermal development opportunities in Indonesia.

USA, California:

Board of Supervisors Calls for Geothermal Industry Inducing Policies (Imperial Valley Press)

Policies inducing geothermal energy development are being asked for by the Imperial County Board of Supervisors, as the county approved a resolution recognizing the importance of geothermal energy Tuesday.

Over the last five years the county has seen renewable energy generation activities increase exponentially, particularly in the solar industry, a report to the board notes.

However, the report also notes that throughout the same time only two geothermal plants have been built.

This comes as Imperial County holds the largest geothermal resource in California, a state that already contains the largest amount of geothermal generating capacity in the United States.

And yet, “There (have) been some concerns raised by the fact that we have not seen a lot of new geothermal projects,” said Andy Horne, county deputy chief executive officer, while presenting the resolution crafted by the county in consultation of geothermal industry representatives.

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Iceland:

Iceland Geothermal Conference Spreads Green Energy Industry Message (IceNews)

Sri Mulyani, Managing Director
of the World Bank Group

The recent Iceland Geothermal Conference, which took place between 5th and 8th March 2013 in Reykjavík, has helped carry a positive message for the possibilities within the green energy industry, according to various reviews posted online.

Roughly 600 participants, delegates, and exhibitors attended the conference to discuss changes and forward thinking within the energy industry, with 55 presentations given by global figureheads within the industry.

Amongst the coverage, speeches from the keynotes were listed as being especially memorable. Keynote speaker Sri Mulyani, Managing Director of the World Bank Group, was reported to have stated the following during the conference:

“Until now, our work has been at the country and regional levels. These efforts are important, and should continue.  But a global push is what is needed now. Only a global effort will put geothermal energy in its rightful place – as a primary energy source for many developing countries.  Only a global effort will pool resources to spread the risk effectively. It will let us learn from each other, from our failures and successes, and apply that learning.”

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USA:

New Twist to the Renewable PTC Extension: Defining "Under Construction" (Renewable Energy World.com)

Once again the race is on to get new renewable energy projects under construction by year end. While the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 ("ATRA") (PDF) provided the long sought extension of the Production Tax Credit ("PTC") and Investment Tax Credit ("ITC") for certain renewable resources through 2013 (wind, biomass, geothermal, landfill gas, trash, hydropower and marine and hydrokinetic facilities), the extension comes with terms that present new challenges for developers.

Significantly, to qualify for the PTC or ITC, new renewable projects must “begin construction” prior to January 1, 2014.  Under prior law, to qualify for the PTC, the facility had to be “placed in service” by the applicable deadline, which essentially required the commencement of commercial operation.  The change in terminology under ATRA increases the availability of the PTC/ITC to a broader array of long lead-time projects, provided they can meet the new “begin construction” deadline by the end of this year.  For projects that meet this deadline, the PTC/ITC is effectively extended by more than one year.

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Iceland:

It May Be Remote, But Iceland Could End Up Sitting at The Heart of Europe's Clean Energy Strategy (Business Green)

With a gloriously cheap 100 per cent renewable energy system and a finance sector that is steadily rising out of the ashes, it is on track to create the kind of sustainable economy that many European countries can only dream of achieving.

Iceland offers homes and businesses electricity at half the price of that we pay in the UK through district heating systems powered by geothermal and hydropower. It is an approach that slashes carbon emissions, virtually eliminates fuel poverty, and helps attract investment from energy-intensive industries seeking stable power prices.

Read More....

South America:

Andean Region Eyes Geothermal Future (EcoSeed)

The Andes region of Latin America is planning to tap into the thousands of megawatts of clean energy available to them from geothermal sources, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

Latin America has some of the world’s largest potential for geothermal energy, estimated at 35,500 megawatts. The Andean mountain countries including Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru account for a significant portion of this potential.

However, IRENA noted that geothermal energy in these countries remains underutilized and poorly explored. IRENA is currently working with Andean governments and seeking support from other countries and organizations with geothermal expertise to boost the Andean geothermal sector.

Experts from Iceland, Mexico, New Zealand and France have already shared their skills and knowledge with Andean representatives during a geothermal development workshop organized by the IRENA in Reykjavik, the Icelandic capital known for utilizing heat and power from thermal springs and geysers.

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Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina:

Balkan Countries Look to Boost Geothermal Power (Southeast European Times in Skopje)

With access to hundreds of geothermal water sources, Balkan countries can use the alternative power to ease their dependence on gas and electricity, save money and cut fossil fuel usage, researchers said.

Geothermal water is ground water heated by the earth's energy. By harnessing the physical properties of steam and heat, geothermal water can be used to generate electricity. The main function of geothermal systems is to extract the water from wells, transport it and distribute it to consumers.

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Solomon Islands:

Savo Island Geothermal Power Project Update (Geodynamics)

The Savo Island Geothermal Power Project is Geodynamics’ newest project. It was acquired though the signing of a Joint Venture agreement with Kentor Energy late last year. Andrew McMahon, Geodynamics Senior Geophysicist, walks through a recent field trip he took to Savo Island.

Andrew’s presentation describes the volcanic topography and field work that was conducted during the trip, and also outlines the next steps for the project.



"Early indications are Savo Island has a resource sufficient for supplying power to Honiara"

USA:

Federal Energy Management Program Issues New Guide for Developing Large-Scale Renewable Energy Projects at Federal Facilities

The U.S. Energy Department's Federal Energy Management Program today issued a new resource that provides best practices and other helpful guidance for federal agencies developing large-scale renewable energy projects.

The Large-Scale Renewable Energy Guide: Developing Renewable Energy Projects Larger than 10 MWs at Federal Facilities (PDF) provides a comprehensive framework including active project management strategies, common terms, and principles that reduce project uncertainties and promote partnerships between the federal government, private developers, and financiers.

Improving coordination on large-scale renewable energy projects will help ensure successful projects while diversifying our energy supply, creating jobs, and advancing national goals for energy security.

Renewable energy at federal facilities represents a large clean energy resource for the United States. Federal energy policies, requirements, and goals require the development of nearly three gigawatts of renewable power projects over the next decade.

Read More......

USA, California:

Geothermal 101 Workshop to Educate Attendees at Imperial Valley Renewable Energy Summit & Expo

A Geothermal 101 + Exploration workshop is to be held at the Imperial Valley Renewable Energy Summit & Expo this week in southern California.

The meeting is to be held March 13-15 at the Barbara Worth Resort and Country Club in Holtville, Ca.

The theme of the fifth annual summit is “The Power of Opportunity.”

The Geothermal 101 + Exploration workshop will be hosted by Gene Suemnicht, CEO/Principal, EGS, Inc. at 12:30 on Friday, March 15.

Geothermal development has been an important part of the energy economics of the Imperial Valley for several decades.  Domestic and international geothermal exploration has increased in recent years with revived interest in renewable energy.

The Geothermal 101 workshop will review the geologic settings of different geothermal resources with an emphasis on the high enthalpy geothermal resources of the Imperial Valley.  The workshop will cover the common elements of conventional geothermal systems and the processes involved in exploring for and developing a geothermal field.

Geothermal energy remains a strong competitor in utility-scale renewable projects because geothermal generation is base-load power that offers a great advantage to utility companies in displacing similar constant load fossil fuel generation.  The workshop will cover some of the differing perspectives on renewable energy projects and the distinct advantages, but profoundly different risks involved in renewable generation technologies.  Open and interactive workshop sessions will leave ample time for questions and comments.

Summit registration is available at www.ivedc.com. Additionally, sponsorship opportunities are still available. Information is available at www.ivedc.com.

Iceland:

Hveragerdi from Oliver Gelison on Vimeo.

USA, California:

Fitch Downgrades Senior Notes of OrCal Geothermal LLC to 'BB'; Outlook Revised to Negative (Finance Yahoo! - News Release)

Fitch Ratings has downgraded the rating on $165 million ($76.5 million outstanding) senior notes due 2020 of OrCal Geothermal LLC (OrCal) to 'BB' from 'BBB-'. The ratings downgrade reflects OrCal's exposure to depressed Short Run Avoided Cost (SRAC) energy prices through debt maturity, and revenue contract renewal risk for 50% of capacity after 2015.

The Rating Outlook has been revised to Negative from Stable reflecting uncertainty regarding achievement of production increases and contract prices that must be realized to maintain debt service coverage consistent with the current rating.

Recent declines in production performance in 2012 also highlight Ormat owned-OrCal's output variability. A major capital improvement plan at Heber 1, located in the Imperial Valley in Southern California, slated for 2012 and unexpectedly delayed, was a major contributor to availability declines at the plant. The remainder of the capital plan for Heber 1 is expected to occur in 2014, a year behind schedule. Fitch believes the improvements could boost capacity.

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Iceland:

In Iceland, Geothermal Energy is "Use It or Lose It" (RenewableEnergyWorld.com )

If a country has an overabundance of a globally coveted product, should it export it or keep the product for its own use? That is the question that Icelanders are grappling with regarding to the country's vast and overabundant supply of clean energy.

Much in the same way that analysts predict that the abundant supply of natural gas in the U.S. will eventually lead to higher domestic natural gas prices because gas companies will export their resource to fetch a greater price than they can get for it if they keep it for domestic use, Iceland is grappling with what to do with all of its abundant geothermal energy.

And many Icelanders feel that export is not the answer. Instead, the country hopes to attract large energy end-users to the country so they can benefit from the cheap, 100 percent green power that Iceland provides.  “We already do export the power,” said Invest in Iceland Director, Thordur Hilmarsson, “We export it through the products that are created by energy-dependent industries.”  For now, those products include aluminum from Alcoa, Fish from Stolt Sea Farm and silicon metal from Globe Specialty Metals, but if Hilmarsson and his compatriots have their way, some day soon that will be a lot more products.

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Global:

Global Geothermal Getting a World Bank Bump (EarthTechling)

Geothermal, the renewable energy source with so much going for it but so many hurdles to overcome, is getting some help from the World Bank.

The bank this week called on “donors, multilateral banks, governments and the private sector” to back its Global Geothermal Development Plan (PDF), which is aimed at supporting exploratory drilling that can help build a steady pipeline of “commercially viable projects that are ready for private investment.”

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Japan:

David Suzuki Backs Geothermal for Japan (The Canberra Times)

(Courtesy davidsuzuki.org)

Japan is wasting the opportunity of the Fukushima disaster by failing to use the crisis and public opposition toward nuclear reactors to form an energy mix more reliant on renewable energy, Canadian author, environmentalist and geneticist David Suzuki says.

Japan's best hope may be its geothermal resources, said Suzuki, who took the top spot as Canada's most trusted individual in a 2011 survey conducted by Reader's Digest magazine.

“Geothermal can be a huge source of energy very quickly,” Suzuki said, adding that Japan is also well-positioned to take advantage of developments in tidal power.

“Japan is a model already to the lie that economic growth is the key to our future,” he said. “If they can really show an alternative to nukes and fossil fuels, then they will be the poster boy for the renewable energy for the future.”

For a nation steeped in the traditions of a bathing culture fueled by geologically-active hotsprings, Japan has a dearth of projects harnessing the reserves of energy stored underground to produce electricity.

Japan has 539 MWe of geothermal capacity currently operating, a quarter of its wind capacity and almost 14 times less than solar, according to data compiled by Bloomberg New Energy Finance for 2012.

One advantage to geothermal energy is that it offers a relatively constant supply of energy, unlike wind and solar, which fluctuate with breezes and clouds.

“The benefit is that it is baseload energy, unlike wind and solar,” said Yugo Nakamura, an analyst at Bloomberg New Energy Finance in Tokyo. “Japan should take reasonable measures to boost geothermal, but the country also needs to take every measure to boost energy supply from all sources.”

Japan has the potential to produce 23,000 MWe of geothermal power, according to a report on the global market prepared by the Washington, D.C.-based Geothermal Energy Association in May.

“I know the PM is under huge pressure from the energy sector to get those reactors back up and running again,” said Suzuki. “It is unfortunate because the grassroots in Japan are desperate to get off nukes.”

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USA:

University Competition Leads to Geothermal Breakthroughs (Energy.gov)

Idaho State University's National Geothermal Student
Competition team presenting their research findings
at the 2012 GRC Annual Meeting.

The Snake River Plain -- stretching over three quarters of Idaho -- contains one of the greatest potential sources of geothermal energy in America. Yet efforts to harness this vast renewable energy resource have proved elusive. Despite the obstacles, a team of students at Idaho State University decided to tackle the challenge themselves as part of the Energy Department’s National Geothermal Student Competition.

The annual National Geothermal Student Competition challenges university teams to conduct cutting-edge research that could lead to breakthroughs in geothermal energy development. For Idaho State, the competition offered a unique opportunity to bring a fresh perspective to the energy challenges presented by the Snake River Plain.

“Sometimes in these difficult situations, you have to explore things in a different way,” explained Michael Ginsbach -- student lead for Idaho State’s 2012 competition team. For Michael and fellow team members -- Adam Koster, Rebecca Ohly and Holly Young -- that meant striving to better understand the geothermal heat sources available beneath the surface of Snake River.

Working with mentors at Idaho State and the Idaho Geological Survey -- the students tested for any area of Snake River that suggested the presence of geothermal energy. Special attention was paid to pinpointing areas where geothermal resources could seamlessly be connected to existing power transmission infrastructure.

“Our testing was designed to provide a new model for geothermal exploration,” said Michael. The team’s groundbreaking approach helped them secure a first place finish in the 2012 competition and spark local interest in Idaho’s geothermal potential. “We’re helping put the ideas out there and get people who hadn’t thought of geothermal before to start thinking about it,” said Michael.

Now in it’s third year, the National Geothermal Student Competition is once again tapping into the innovative ideas of students to set a path forward for geothermal development in the United States. Registration for the 2013 competition is open through March 29. Submit your application and learn about contest requirements by visiting the competition website.

New Zealand, Chile:

Mighty River Power Investing in Chile (3 News)

Mighty River Power admits it is taking a commercial risk by venturing into uncharted territory in Chile.

The soon-to-be partially sold state-owned enterprise is spending tens-of-millions-of-dollars exploring untapped geothermal resources in the Latin American country, where Prime Minister John Key is leading a trade delegation.

Among them is Mighty River General Manager of Development, Mark Trigg, who has confidence in the venture despite a raft of unknowns. Chile’s geothermal energy has not yet been extracted by any other prospectors.

“Any market outside your home jurisdiction has its challenges and its idiosyncrasies,” he says. “There are some different risks, certainly, but some of those risks actually provide the diversification for the types of risk that we have in New Zealand.”

Mark Trigg says Mighty River Power does not see any potential for investment in New Zealand for the next five years.

Read More.....

Technology:

Environmental Impacts of Geothermal Energy (Union of Concerned Scientists)

The most widely developed type of geothermal power plant (known as hydrothermal plants) are located near geologic “hot spots” where hot molten rock is close to the earth’s crust and produces hot water. In other regions enhanced geothermal systems (or hot dry rock geothermal), which involve drilling into Earth’s surface to reach deeper geothermal resources, can allow broader access to geothermal energy.

Geothermal plants also differ in terms of the technology they use to convert the resource to electricity (direct steam, flash, or binary) and the type of cooling technology they use (water-cooled and air-cooled). Environmental impacts will differ depending on the conversion and cooling technology used.

Read More.....

Global:

Zayed Future Energy Prize Opens Submissions for 2014 Award in U.S. (Triple Pundit)

Annual $4 million prize recognizes individuals, companies, organizations and schools making a significant impact in the fields of renewable energy and sustainability.

The Zayed Future Energy Prize, the world’s preeminent award for innovation in renewable energy and sustainability, has opened for submissions in the U.S. The prize is open to applicants in the categories of large corporation, small and medium enterprise (SME), non-governmental organization (NGO), individual lifetime achievement and high schools.

Read More.....

Philippines:

EDC to Raise Funds for Expansion Projects (Philippine Star)

Energy Development Corp. (EDC) plans to raise as much as P7 billion through bonds that will bankroll its expansion projects.

EDC said it filed a registration statement seeking the approval of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the issuance of bonds.

The power producer plans to sell an aggregate principal amount of P5 billion, with an over-subscription option of up to P2 billion.

In its registration statement, EDC said the bonds are composed of two tranches: seven-year fixed rate bonds due in 2020 and 10-year fixed rate bonds due in 2023.

“The proceeds from the issuance will be used primarily to support its business expansion plans, finance capital expenditures and fund general corporate purposes,” EDC said.

Read More.....

Global:

GRC Annual Meeting Update

September 29-October 2, 2013 

MGM Grand Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

• Book Your Room At The MGM Grand and Save Over $60 A Night!
  Discounted Rates expire May 31, 2013
• 2013 GRC Annual Meeting Call For Papers
  Deadline: May 3, 2013
• Nominate The Best In The Geothermal Industry For GRC's 2013 Awards
  Deadline: June 28, 2013
• Attention Amateur Photographers, The GRC Photo Contest Is Back!
  Deadline: August 31, 2013
• Reserve Your Booth at The GEA Geothermal Energy Expo

Read More......

Ecuador:

Ecuador Plans Geothermal Studies (BN americas.com)

(Courtesy CIA.gov)

Ecuador looks to carry out pre-feasibility studies for geothermal prospects in Chalupas and Guapán in Napo and Cañar provinces.

To this end, state power generation holding company Celec has invited a consultant in a direct bidding process to draft the studies' reference terms. A decision regarding the 60-day contract is expected later this month.

Chalupas is some 70 km south of capital Quito along the Cordillera Real range of the Andes mountains. Springs in the project area boast temperatures of around 40 degrees Celsius and an estimated reservoir temperature of 205 degrees Celsius. Preliminary studies peg Chalupas potential at 283 MWe.

Guapán is approximately 25 km north-northeast of the city of Cuenca. Springs in the project area boast temperatures up to 50 degrees Celsius and an estimated reservoir temperature of 210 degrees Celsius.

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Iceland:

Iceland Geothermal Conference Opens in Reykjavík (IcelandReview)

The international Iceland Geothermal Conference, supported by the GRC, opened in Reykjavík yesterday. In his opening speech, foreign minister Össur Skarphéðinsson spoke about the development of geothermal energy in Iceland and how it had transformed the nation.

The minister also welcomed the historic collaboration between the World Bank and Iceland in the African Rift Geothermal Development Program.

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New Zealand:

Running Hot - Mighty River's Geothermal Gems (New Zealand Herald)

Site Manager Greg Thompson on top of Ngatamariki
Power Station with some of the 240 cooling fans.
(Courtesy New Zealand Herald)

In a dusty pine forest clearing near Taupo, super-heated fluid from deep below the surface has started pushing its way towards Mighty River Power's new geothermal station.

Yesterday contractors opened a massive valve at the head of a 3km deep well, and pumped down liquid nitrogen to stimulate the 280C salt-laden brine and steam that will soon be used to generate power at Ngatamariki, a project that will cost close to half a billion dollars.

Water flow at the site is a significant milestone for the station, coming in the same week that the partial sale of the state-owned company took a major leap with the start of pre-registration by potential shareholders.

Read More.....

Iceland:

Is Geothermal the Answer to Global Food Shortages? (Business Green)

Icelandic President Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson
(Courtesy Business Green)

What connects fish heads, geothermal power, and food shortages in sub-Saharan Africa? The answer is an innovative new business model that could play a major role in cutting greenhouse gas emissions, reviving Iceland's economy, and tackling global food shortages.

Iceland's President this week has revealed plans detailing how cheap renewable heat could make a major contribution to global food security, as the World Bank this week also announced plans to mobilize $500m to scale up geothermal power in developing countries.

Read More.....

Philippines:

Auction Terms for Leyte Geothermal Complex Released (Rappler)

The bidding terms for the 640 MWe Unified Leyte geothermal power complex, which is acclaimed as world’s largest wet steam field, is out.

At stake is a contract as Independent Power Producer Administrator (IPPA) of the contracted capacities of the geothermal titan that is beating at the heart of a geothermal reservation in Leyte province.

On Thursday, March 7, Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla said the IPPA contract for the geothermal power complex will be auctioned off is designed to allow industries, electric cooperatives and large power to participate

The auction for the right to administer the 640 MWe capacity of the complex will be divided into:

• 240 MWe, a single contract
• 400 MWe at 1 MWe each per contract

Read More......

Global:

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Iceland:

Reykjavík Energy Pioneers Carbon and Hydrogen Sulfur Sequestration Technology (Business Green)

One of the world's largest geothermal power companies is taking steps to virtually eliminate its environmental footprint over the next five years, through the use of a new carbon sequestration technology that could have global implications.

Orkuveita Reykjavíkur (Reykjavík Energy) is one of Iceland's state-owned power companies, supplying around half of the island's heat and electricity through geothermal wells and hydropower plants.

Geothermal power offers a renewable supply of power, but it is not strictly zero carbon as plants typically emit between zero and four per cent of the CO2 emitted by a traditional coal-fueled power plant per unit of electricity generated.

As a result, Reykjavík Energy's geothermal boreholes and plants still pump around 70,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and 16,000 tonnes of toxic hydrogen sulfide (H2S) into the air each year.

Now the company is undertaking a pilot project that could allow it to capture and store or even market CO2, and separate out and store the highly corrosive H2S using the same process.

Read More.....

Global:

World Bank Calls for Global Initiative to Scale Up Geothermal Energy in Developing Countries (4-traders  - press release)

The World Bank today announced a major international effort to expand renewable power generation in developing countries by tapping an underutilized resource: geothermal energy.

World Bank Managing Director Sri Mulyani Indrawati called on donors, multilateral banks, governments and the private sector to join a Global Geothermal Development Plan (GGDP) to better manage and reduce risks of exploratory drilling to bring what is now a marginal renewable energy source into the mainstream, and deliver power to millions.

Sri Mulyani launched the plan at the Iceland Geothermal Conference in Reykjavík. Already, the World Bank and Iceland are working together under a "Geothermal Compact" to support surface exploration studies and technical assistance for countries in Africa's Rift Valley.

Read More.....

Philippines:

Death Toll in Leyte Landslide Rises to 13 (GMA News)

The death toll in the landslide that marred operations in a geothermal power plant in Leyte last week rose to 13 on Wednesday following the recovery of five more bodies in the area, including one that was discovered late afternoon.

Alberto Ignacio Jr., geothermal projects division vice president of construction firm First Balfour, said the four bodies were retrieved Wednesday morning buried in the ground along the road where they were building a pipe shelter at the time of the landslide.

The workers were on a rig at Energy Development Corporation (EDC)’s Pad 403 at the Upper Mahiao geothermal plant in the Leyte Geothermal Production Field in the mountains of Kananga.

Read More.....

USA, Idaho:

U.S. Geothermal Receives Cash Grant and Achieves Substantial Completion at  San Emidio (News Release - PDF)

U.S. Geothermal Inc., announced today that its wholly owned subsidiary USG Nevada LLC received the $1.05 million balance of its $11.75 million cash grant from the U.S. Department of Treasury. The cash grant is for Specified Energy Property in Lieu of Tax/Credits relating to the San Emidio geothermal power plant under Section 1603, Division B of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. As announced on November 15, 2012, the Company already received a $10.70 million portion of the grant.

The company also is pleased to announce that it has reached final commercial settlement with its Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractor and the San Emidio geothermal project achieved substantial completion under the terms of a fixed price EPC contract. The EPC contractor will complete a small number of final work items during a planned maintenance outage beginning April 9, 2013. Work continues on finalizing a long term project loan which is now anticipated to close in Q2 2013.

For January and February 2013, the geothermal power plant produced 6,111 and 6,373 megawatt hours, respectively. Electrical energy from the new power plant is being sold under the terms of a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement with Sierra Pacific Power Company.  The new San Emidio plant is projected to generate up to 75,000 megawatt hours of electrical power each year.

Read More......

USA:

Why Geothermal Energy Production is Tepid—at Least Until Fracking Comes Along (Quartz)

Geothermal energy has long been a great green hope for weaning the world from fossil fuels and promoting energy independence. Unlike solar and wind farms, geothermal energy plants generate electricity continuously, providing a dependable, nearly carbon-free source of power.

Yet a report (PDF) out last week from the U.S. Geothermal Energy Association, an industry trade group, found that geothermal capacity in the US grew by just 5%, or 147 MWe, in 2012. Total geothermal capacity now stands at 3,386 MWe. In contrast, the US added 13,200 MWe of wind energy last year for a total 60,000 MWe. And some 3,200 MWe of new solar energy was expected to go online in 2012.

What gives? Read More.....

Australia:

Joint Venture Formed for Geothermal Exploration in Western Australia (Finance News Network)

AWE Limited of North Sydney, has signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Green Rock Energy Limited subsidiary Mid West Geothermal Power to form a potential Joint Venture (JV).

The JV aims to demonstrate the development potential of geothermal power generation in the north Perth Basin.

AWE has holdings in multiple oil and gas exploration and production permits in the north Perth Basin, where Mid West operates seven Geothermal Exploration Permits.

The first stage of the project will focus on selecting a drilling area to maximize the potential success of a geothermal drilling program, from which the JV will focus on securing commonwealth funding as part of the Emerging Renewable’s Program.

France:

France Okays Geothermal Projects in Massif Central, Western Pyrenees (Electric Light and Power)

(Courtesy CIA.gov)

Two permits for geothermal exploration in the Massif Central and the Western Pyrenees were issued yesterday by Delphine Batho, France's minister of ecology, sustainable development and energy.

The licences were awarded respectively to Electerre de France SAS and Fonroche Geothermie SAS. Both projects concern high temperature geothermal areas or over 150 degrees Celsius. Another 18 permit requests are being examined.

Currently, geothermal power accounts for a mere 0.1% of the electricity generated by renewable energy sources in France. Environmental benefits from geothermal energy include near-zero greenhouse gas emissions.

Guatemala:

Experto Afirma que Energía Geotérmica es Ideal Para Guatemala - Expert: Geothermal Energy is Ideal for Guatemala

Jorge Ordóñez, ingeniero experto en energía, visita el país para compartir la experiencia en el desarrollo de recursos renovables que se ha tenido en Estados Unidos y transferir al país los conocimientos para el desarrollo del sector geotérmico y cómo mejorarlo.

Jorge Ordonez, energy  engineer expert, visits the country to share his experience in the development of renewable resources in the United States and  how to  transfer knowledge to help Guatemala's development and improve the geothermal sector.

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Iceland:

Geothermal Energy in Iceland: Too Much of a Good Thing?  (Renewable Energy World.com)

Icelanders are not entirely convinced that exporting the country’s rich geothermal resource is a good idea. High-profile Icelandic blogger Lára Hanna Einarsdóttir says that everyone in Iceland “will pay” if the electricity is exported.  Instead she wants to keep the resource within the country’s borders for future generations.

On the flip side is, of course, money. Geothermal power is cheap in Iceland and the country could get a nice price for it, if it could sell the power to nations that need clean energy to meet their goals. Keep in mind that Iceland is a country still recovering from a massive financial crisis that hit in 2008.

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USA, Oregon:

Neal Hot Springs Geothermal Plant Exceeding Expectations (Ontario Argus Observer)

(Courtesy U.S. Geothermal)

U.S. Geothermal’s Neal Hot Springs plant is delivering a combined 28 net megawatts, which is enough power for some 25,000 to 28,000 homes, according to Saf Dhillon, of U.S. Geothermal, which is selling the power to Idaho Power Company.

Originally, company officials had set a target of 22 to 23 MWe.

Neal Hot Springs is located west of Vale, upstream from Bully Creek Reservoir. U.S. Geothermal, headquartered in Boise, is operating projects at Raft River, Idaho, and San Emidio, Nevada.

While the project has reached commercial operation, Dhillon said it is still in the final completion phase, which includes various punch list and final work items to be done by the contractor. There will also be further adjustments and refinements to optimize the output and controls of the plant.

The project initially employed a workforce of several hundred people during construction and will provide some 20 people with long-term employment, Dhillon said.

The development is also providing long-term tax payments to Malheur County and is having a positive impact on the local economy with the purchase of local materials and supplies, Dhillon said.

Operating at full capacity, the plant’s three modules are expected to generate 165,000 to 185,000 megawatt-hours per year, according to a company news release. Idaho Power is purchasing the electricity at a rate of $99 per megawatt for 2013.

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Thailand:

Time to Use Geothermal Power in Thailand (The Nation)

(Courtesy CIA.gov)

Bangchak Petroleum’s former president Anusorn Sangnimnuan was one who showed interest in geothermal. In December 2012, he led a media tour to the Mori Geothermal Power Plant in Hokkaido, Japan. The power plant, established in 1972 started generating electricity in 1982 with a production capacity of 50 MWe. It brings up heat from as deep as 3km underground.

During the visit, Anusorn noted that Thailand shows a potential to make use of the CO2-free geothermal power, particularly in the North where power can satisfy community demands. This can save their electricity bills and should win community support.

At present, there is one geothermal plant in Thailandin Phang district, Chiang Mai, but with a small capacity of 0.3 MWe.

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Kenya:

Sixteen Companies to Build Olkaria Extension (Daily Nation)

KenGen’s outgoing managing director Eddy Njoroge says 16 companies passed the evaluation and qualified for the investment venture that will lead to the building of four additional geothermal power stations with a capacity of 70 MWe each at Olkaria I and Olkaria IV.

Last year KenGen asked interested bidders and consortiums to express interest in the development of the plant. At the closure of the expression of interest period, 21 firms had submitted their responses.

Seven firms qualified under the energy conversion agreement, four won the bid under the venture and energy conversion agreement and five qualified under both arrangements.

Four Japanese firms – Kansai Electric Power (Kepco), Mitsubishi Corporation, Toyota Tsusho and Mitsui –join Sithe Global Consortium (America), Zorlu (Turkey) and the pan-African Consortium of Africa Finance Corporation under the energy conversion agreement.

India’s largest integrated power company Tata Power, Ormat (Israel), Marubeni (Japan), Sojitz (Japan) and the South African subsidiary of International Power (India) qualified under the both arrangements.

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Global:

GRC Updates

• Advertise in GRC's Membership Roster - 2013 Advertising Rates
• U.S. Department of Energy National Geothermal Student Competition - Application Due Date: March 29, 2013
• HELCO Seeks Proposal for The Supply of 50 MWe - Notice of Intent Due: March 7, 2013

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Global:

Executive Director, Geothermal Resources Council

The Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) is the leading worldwide 501(c)3 non-profit association dedicated to development and utilization of clean and renewable geothermal energy.

The GRC is seeking an Executive Director to carry out educational and other services as a public forum for nearly 1,600 GRC members and worldwide corporate interests in geothermal energy development. The GRC is an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), California Corporation.

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Iceland:

Icelanders Divided Over Geothermal Energy Export Plans (IceNews)

Iceland’s population is divided over the country’s plans to export geothermal energy to Europe. The island nation has long had excess amounts of inexpensive geothermal energy thanks to its location on one of the earth’s most active seismological regions. The majority comes from the power station at Krafla and Iceland’s state-backed power firm currently only sells about 17 per cent of its output to the country’s industry and residents. The remainder is sold to international companies such as the US-owned aluminium processing giant Alcoa.

Now, authorities are looking to send excess power southward via a massive under-sea cable to Scotland, although the £1.3 billion project has met resistance from Icelanders that fear the country could loose the self-reliance that local residents pride themselves on.

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USA, Hawai'i:

Final RFP for Big Island Geothermal Issued (BigIslandNow.com)

Hawaii Electric Light Co. (HELCO) announced yesterday it is officially seeking developers willing to provide up to 50 more megawatts of geothermally produced electricity.

HELCO’s Request for Proposal calls for prospective companies to submit a notice of intent to bid on the project by March 7.

Bids will be due on April 30. The Big Island utility said it expects to make a selection within 120 days of that date. Final RFP and Appendices (PDF)

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Global:

Geothermal Still the Underdog of Renewables, But Prospects Are Brighter (SustainableBusiness.com)

Geothermal is the underdog of renewable energy, growing much slower than solar or wind, but its prospects are getting brighter.

64 countries now have geothermal projects slated for  development, more than double than a few years ago, according to Pike Research. 454 projects are under construction, adding up to 18.5 GWe.

That would almost double the 11 GWe that are now online, less than 0.2% of the world's energy sources. The International Energy Agency urges expansion through incentives and strong policies.

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Philippines:

EDC Suspends BacMan I Unit (BusinessWorld Online Edition)

Energy Development Corp. (EDC) has suspended the operations of a BacMan I unit in its geothermal power plant due to a technical glitch, the company said in a disclosure yesterday.

The company said that it shut down the second unit of Bacon-Manito (BacMan) I - which just started operations last Feb. 5 - because initial inspections conducted on Thursday “have shown that a turbine blade was sheared off causing damage to the unit.”

“We recognize the serious nature of this new setback to BacMan I Unit 2. We will do everything to determine the cause of this problem, and to ensure that this is completely resolved at the soonest time possible,” EDC President Richard B. Tantoco said in a statement.

The company has also shut down Unit 1 in a preemptive move to ensure safety.

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Philippines:

7 Die in Landslide at Leyte Geothermal Plant (Philippine Star)

Leyte Geothermal Production Field (Courtesy EDC)

UPDATE: The number of casualties of a landslide that marred operations in a geothermal power plant in Leyte has risen to 13 as of Wednesday morning, March 6.

The landslide occurred at a project site of the Energy Development Corp. (EDC) in Kananga town, Leyte March 1.

The victims worked for JA Arradaza Construction, a subcontractor of First Balfour, on a rig at EDC’s Pad 403 at the Upper Mahiao geothermal plant in the Leyte Geothermal Production Field in the mountains of Kananga.

In a statement, the EDC said two weeks of rains triggered the landslide.

On January 26, 6 workers were killed in a landslide at a PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy Site in Jambi province, on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia.

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