Chile:

Chile Gets New Renewable Energy Goal (BNamericas)

(Courtesy CIA.gov)

Renewable energy development in Chile has received legislative backing after the senate passed the 20/25 renewable energy bill on Tuesday (Sep 3).

The bill sets a 2025 goal of having 20% of power coming from nonconventional renewable energy (NCRE), which in Chile includes solar, wind, geothermal, tidal/wave and hydro power below 20 MW.

NCRE contributes 6.06% of the electricity distributed through Chile's two largest energy grids, according to the latest report by the energy ministry's renewable energy center CER.

Read More.....

Bolivia:

Bolivia Eyes 2018 Geothermal Start (BNamericas)

Bolivia authorities have penciled in 2018 for the start of the country's first geothermal power plant.

State power company Ende's Laguna Colorada project in the Sol de Mañana field in Potosí department would boast 50 MWe in a first stage and another 50 MWe in a second stage along with associated transmission infrastructure.

The final well test report is being drafted together with an international tender for a complementary geothermal reservoir modeling study.

Ende is set to sign a loan agreement with Japan for the 2.25bn-boliviano (US$325mn) project. The Japan International Cooperation Agency has donated equipment and machinery for initial work.

USA, Alaska:

Nome Chamber of Commerce Supports Geothermal Research (Alaska Business Monthly)

The Nome Chamber of Commerce has expressed support for geothermal research, committing $5000 to support work that has the potential to generate economic benefits for the region.

University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF)’s Alaska Center for Energy and Power has spearheaded a resource assessment at Pilgrim Hot Springs in conjunction with the land owner Unataaq (a partnership between seven local native corporations and non-profit organizations), the City of Nome in Northwest Alaska, on the Seward Peninsula, and UAF’s Geophysical Institute.

Preliminary results show that the geothermal resource at Pilgrim Hot Springs has the potential to generate two to four MWe.  If coupled with an existing 2.8 MWe of installed wind power in Nome, it would mean the community could be served by 100% renewable generation at some times of the year. This finding and its future potential for the community has interested a private energy developer, Pilgrim Geothermal LLC, who would like to develop the resource and transmit power to Nome should it be shown capable of generating at least 2 MWe of power.

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Commonwealth of Dominica:

Caribbean Island of Dominica Bets on Geothermal Energy (TrustLaw)

Government officials on the Caribbean island of Dominica are hoping that geothermal energy is the answer to mounting climate change concerns, high electricity costs and an ambitious commitment to become carbon ‘negative’ by 2020.

Known as the ‘Nature Island of the Caribbean,’ Dominica – in the Lesser Antilles region - is prone to climate-linked natural disasters such as hurricanes, flooding and landslide. While hydropower accounts for 40 percent of the country’s electricity mix, Dominica also remains highly dependent on imported oil and residents pay the highest electricity prices in the Eastern Caribbean.

The geothermal project involves the construction of a small power plant for domestic consumption and a bigger plant of up to 100 MWe of electricity for export to the neighboring French islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique.

Read More.....

USA, Nevada:

Drilling Commences for San Emidio Phase II Project (Wall Street Journal - Press Release)

U.S. Geothermal Inc. announced today that drilling has started for the San Emidio Phase II Project in Washoe County, Nevada.

As previously announced, U.S. Geothermal is planning to develop the San Emidio project in two phases: a repower (Phase I) and an expansion (Phase II).

Phase I was completed in May of 2012, when the existing 3.6 MWe plant was replaced with a new, more efficient 9 MWe power plant that utilizes the existing geothermal fluid flow from the proven area of the reservoir.

Phase II requires drilling new production and injection wells, and upgrading transmission to support the increased power production. The Phase II expansion may produce up to 11 MWe (net) to fill the full available output allowed under the existing PPA with NV Energy. Pending a successful drilling program, the Phase II power plant is anticipated to be online in 2015.

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GRC Annual Meeting & GEA Geothermal Energy Expo

GRC Annual Meeting & GEA Geothermal Energy Expo

Registration Deadlines For Optional Events 

• Las Vegas Geology Field Trip (Saturday September 28th): Must Register By September 20th!
• Hoover Dam, Red Rock Canyon and Goodsprings Field Trip (Sunday, September 29th): SOLD OUT!
• GRC Annual Charity Golf Tournament (Sunday, September 29th): Almost sold out! Reserve your spot now!
• Imperial Valley, California Field Trip (October 2nd - 5th): Must register by this Thursday, September 5th!
• Party With the Geothermal Stars - Annual Banquet (Monday, September 30th): See your colleagues dressed up, get your tickets now!
• Student Leadership Luncheon (Tuesday, October 1st): Only 100 students can attend. Reserve your space now!
• Membership Meeting & Awards Luncheon (Wednesday, October 2nd): Winners of the prestigious GRC Awards will be presented during the Luncheon.

Don't wait, register for these events now!

GRC Registration Form      GRC Golf Tournament Registration Brochure

USA, California:

Amendment Elevates Salton Sea Geothermal Resources in Procurement Process (Imperial Valley Press)

Assemblyman V. Manuel Pérez on Friday presented amendments to a bill by Senator Rod Wright, D-Inglewood, that elevates Salton Sea geothermal resources in the state’s energy procurement process. As amended, SB 760 directs the California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to consider base load renewable energy resources in the Salton Sea basin as a means to achieve the state’s 33 percent Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), while maintaining the reliability of the electrical grid and minimizing greenhouse gas emissions.

“With the closure of the San Onofre nuclear facility and the anticipated retirement of other power plants, we have an opportunity to pursue a path of clean, green energy,” said Pérez. “I firmly believe that Salton Sea geothermal resources can help anchor Southern California energy needs, improve air quality, and maintain the state’s progress in reducing greenhouse gases, while facilitating the growth of the desert renewable energy economy.”

Rather than a mandate, the bill instead requires the PUC to consider geothermal resources given the energy source’s ability to provide reliable, non-greenhouse gas emitting power to meet the state’s energy needs. The amendments were approved on the Assembly Floor recently with a vote of 52-24.

The Imperial Valley and the Salton Sea is the destination for a GRC Field Trip departing from the GRC Annual Meeting & GEA Expo at the MGM Grand, Las Vegsa, Nevada, Sept.29-Oct.2.

Read More.....

Australia:

Geodynamics Writes Off Cooper Basin Geothermal Assets (RenewEconomy)

However, Geodynamics said the does not change its view about the future of enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) (also known as hot rocks geothermal technology).

Australia’s flagship geothermal developer, Geodynamics, has written down the value of its Cooper Basin operations and plant assets, citing the subdued outlook for electricity demand in Australia.

The decision to write $88.8 million off its Cooper Basin assets comes as the company completes a trial of its 1 MWe Habanero pilot plant near Innamincka, which sourced energy from super-heated rocks 4.2kms below the surface – deeper than any other geothermal plant in the world.

However, despite the fact that the carrying value of deferred exploration and development costs have been written down to zero, and the Habanero plant down to “fair value”, Geodynamics said the does not change its view about the future of enhanced geothermal systems (also known as hot rocks geothermal technology).

Geodynamics said the results from the Habanero trial, including steam flows and reliability, supported its belief that EGS could play a material role in Australia’s energy future because it could deliver large scale, continuous, predictable and controllable energy.

But it said that developing the Cooper Basin resource will require “significant capital investment” for further exploration, development and to extend transmission infrastructure.

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Montserrat:

Encouraging Signs In Geothermal Energy Project (WINN FM)

(Courtesy EGS Inc.)

Montserrat officials say they are encouraged by the geothermal flow at the first well that became active last month.

Britain’s Department for International Development (DFID) is funding the exploratory phase of the geothermal energy project and Premier Reuben Meade says he is hoping London will fund the entire project so that the resources and revenue can go to the people of Montserrat rather than to private firms. The DFID has already allocated 8.5 million pounds sterling for the exploration of geothermal energy on the island.

The government said the drilling and testing phases are expected to take three to four months. It said two wells will be drilled down to a depth of 5,000 feet and that a recent Geothermal Exploration Report (PDF) done by EGS Inc. of Santa Rosa, California indicated that there was an 80 per cent likelihood of geothermal energy on Montserrat.

Read More......

Global:

Global Market for Geothermal Continues Upswing (Renewable Energy World)

The U.S. Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) today released a new report showing continued strong growth signals in the international market for geothermal power. The report, 2013 Geothermal Power: International Market Overview, identifies 70 countries moving forward with nearly 700 geothermal power projects.

Some of the report highlights are:

• By the end of 2013 the global geothermal market is expected to operate 12,000 MW of geothermal capacity on-line.
• There are 11,766 MW of new capacity in early stages of development or under construction in 70 countries and territories around the world. Additionally, developers are actively engaged with and exploring 27 GW (Gigawatts) of geothermal resource globally that could potentially develop into power plants over the next decade.
• This year some of the first demonstration Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) projects provided electricity to grids in Australia and the United States.
• Countries such as Uganda, France, Tanzania, Chile, and Rwanda have geothermal projects under construction or in the latter stages of development and will have their first operational geothermal power plants within the next few years.

Members of the international geothermal community plan to discuss their successes and emerging market opportunities at the GRC Annual Meeting & GEA Geothermal Energy Expo in Las Vegas from Sept. 29-Oct. 2. This is the premier gathering to learn about the latest developments in geothermal energy, and brings together geothermal companies, academics, financiers, policy leaders, students, and other individuals. 

Read More......

New Zealand:

Ngatamariki Power Station is Complete (Press Release)

Mighty River Power today marked the completion and handover of its new 82 MWe Ngatamariki power station – expanding the Company’s geothermal production to more than 40% of its total generation and contributing to strong earnings growth.

Mighty River Power’s Chief Executive, Doug Heffernan, said the plant near Taupo was completed within the $475 million forecast detailed in the Company’s prospectus and had proven performance above design specifications in testing over the past three months.

“We’re delighted with a project of this scale – the largest of its type in the world – to see it successfully completed, and with power output now expected to be 3 MWe (4%) higher than spec, which will be positive for the plant’s economics and cash flow into the future. We also expect the project to come in slightly under the total cost forecast.”

Dr Heffernan said the new station would add close to 700GWh of annual electricity production, equivalent to the electricity use of about 80,000 households. With the completion of the new Ngatamariki station, he said the company now had about 2,800GWh or 40% of its production coming from low operating cost renewable geothermal which “gives us additional strength and resilience in our core business”.

Read More.....

Technology:

ThinkGeoEnergy Updates Global Geothermal Power Plant Map

ThinkGeoEnergy’s Global Geothermal Power Plant Map has been updated. Now you can find most if not all geothermal power plants in satellite images down to the cooling towers.

Germany:

Project in Geretstried, Germany Looking at Sidetracking to Secure Sufficient Water (Think GeoEnergy)

Following news of disappointing low water rates from a geothermal well, the Geretsried geothermal project is now looking at drilling a sidetrack for the well hoping to find sufficient water.

The well drilled in Gelting/ Geretsried, is at a depth of 6,034 meters (19,800 feet), the deepest in Europe. The project plans to provide 5,000 households in the area with power. But instead of 100 to 120 liters/ second, first pump tests only delivered around 10 liters/ second. This is insufficient for an economic operation of a plant.

Now Enex Power, the developer, is planning to drill a sidetrack to target different zones hoping to struck water. The sidetrack is expected to be drilled at a depth of 3,000 meters down to 5,500 meters.

Technology:

A Geothermal Energy Powered Car


(VIDEO 6:12 Minutes)

Shaun Murphy is a man with a mission. Learn how he and his crew of four people (and one dog) travel 16,000 miles throughout the United States without using a drop of gasoline. To accomplish this trek, they use environmentally friendly "cool fuels." Shaun and his crew start out their Cool Fuel road trip from San Francisco to the Oregon border powered by geothermal energy.

Japan:

Japan Ministry Requests 43.5 Billion Yen For Clean Energy (Bloomberg)

(Courtesy CIA.gov)

The Japanese Ministry of the Environment is requesting 43.5 billion yen ($443 million) in next fiscal year’s budget to create a low-carbon society using clean energy.

The amount includes 2 billion yen to subsidize part of the cost to put together business plans and buy equipment for geothermal power producers, according to the ministry’s budget request released today.

The ministry is also requesting 70 billion yen for a clean energy fund for the year starting April 1. The fund was set up in July with an initial budget of 1.4 billion yen.

The fund is intended for investment in clean energy projects to support regional companies and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Europe:

ThermoMap Project Concludes

The ThermoMap project, area mapping of superficial geothermic resources by soil and groundwater data mapped the very shallow (up to 10m) Geothermal Potential, or ‘vSGP’ across Europe.

The project harmonized pre-existing data sets relating to geological, hydrogeological, soil, climate and relief geo-data with standardized methods. In addition, samples were taken from fourteen test areas across Europe.

The data was then used to build an open source web GIS where users can check the vSGP in a certain area.


(VIDEO 3:16 Minutes)

USA, Oregon:

Second Geothermal Well in the Works in Olene Area (Herald and News)

(Courtesy Herald and News)

Despite delays, Klamath Basin Geopower plans to move ahead with drilling a second geothermal well in the Olene Gap area, possibly this year.

Bill Honjas, Klamath Basin Geopower president and CEO, said the company had hoped drilling would begin by last June but is running behind schedule. Depending on when a drilling permit is approved by the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries, he said drilling could begin this fall or next spring.

Earlier this year the company finished the first well that reached a depth of about 6,000 feet and measured temperatures exceeding 280 degrees off Crystal Springs Road. Honjas said the well can produce up to 2,800 gallons per minute, or about 6.5 gross megawatts of geothermal power.

Additional wells are needed to eventually power a 21 MWe power production facility. Based on average estimates, each megawatt provides enough power for about 1,000 single-family homes. If power is produced, it can be distributed to markets in Oregon and California from power switching stations, according to Honjas.

Read More.....

USA, California:

A Workshop to Promote a Collaborative Initiative to Develop Higher Enthalpy Geothermal Systems in the USA

~ Workshop Website                ~ Register Now

Conveners:

• Wilfred Elders, University of California, Riverside (elders@ucr.edu)
• Alex Schriener, Cal Energy Operating Group (alexander.schreiner@calenergy.com)

Dates: October 13-16th, 2013

Location: University of California Conference Center, Lake Arrowhead, Southern California. (Google map)

Developing higher enthalpy geothermal resources by deep drilling has the potential to greatly increase the power output per well, resulting in improved economics. This workshop is aimed at discussing this approach and fostering mutually advantageous collaborations between Industry, Academia and Federal and State Agencies to promote development of higher enthalpy geothermal systems in the USA. Such collaborations are necessary because producing from high-temperature geothermal systems requires deep wells that are challenging and expensive to drill and complete.

More Information......

Switzerland:

St Gallen Geothermal Project to Continue (swissinfo.ch)

The city of St Gallen is to continue provisionally with its geothermal project despite the earth tremor triggered by boring work on July 20 which was felt across a large area of eastern Switzerland, and its aftershocks.

Fredy Brunner, the member of the city council responsible for technical operations, announced the decision on Tuesday, having informed Swiss Energy Minister Doris Leuthard the previous day.

The decision was taken after consultations with various experts, he said. The borehole has been stabilized and pipes have again been inserted to a depth of 4,000 meters. Another 400 meters remains to be re-drilled and fitted with pipes.

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New Zealand:

Geothermal Supermodels Project Gets Research Award (sunlive.co.nz)

A project to improve knowledge of New Zealand’s complex geothermal systems allowing better use of their energy potential has been awarded new research investment, Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce announced today.

GNS Science will receive $4,400,000 over 4 years to fund it's Geothermal Supermodels project.

The award is part of $278 million in new research investment in the biological industries, high-value manufacturing and services, energy and minerals, environmental, and health and society sectors.

GNS Science will be exhibiting at booth #209 at the GEA Energy Expo, run in conjunction with the GRC Annual Meeting, Set.29-Oct.2 at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

Read More.....

Canada:

Saskatchewan Geothermal Power Project Ahead of Schedule (Estevan Mercury)

With first-stage funding now assured, an ambitious geothermal power production project in southeast Saskatchewan near Estevan is moving ahead.

Kirsten Marcia (nee Muir), a former Estevan resident who is president of Deep Earth Energy Production Corp. (DEEP) of Saskatoon, announced that SaskPower and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) have combined to guarantee $2 million for a front end engineering design (FEED) study. The process, she said, will ensure the economical and technical viability of geothermal energy as a resource for clean electrical power. The two agencies will share the cost of this first stage on a 50/50 basis.

“It’s base load power from well-known geothermal resources,” said Marcia, who spoke with The Mercury on Aug. 26, explaining how the entire project could roll out over a short period of time to provide up to five MWe of power in the first phase and then expand.

Because drilling and down hole work processes are so well-known in southeast Saskatchewan, Marcia said there was very little that had to be explained to local enthusiasts. She said a geothermal project similar to this power-generating plan generally costs about $7 million.

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Djibouti:

Geothermal Exploration Project in Lake Assal Region Launched (AllAfrica.com)

The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Government of Djibouti on Monday, August 26, signed the funding agreements, totaling US $7.5 million, for a geothermal exploration project in the region of Lake Assal.

"The exploitation of geothermal potential in the Lake Assal region will enable the Djiboutian population to access reliable, renewable and affordable source of energy," said AfDB's Regional Integration Director Alex Rugamba, on behalf of Gilbert Mbesherubusa, Vice-President, Infrastructure, Private Sector and Regional Integration, during the signing ceremony.

The financing scheme includes a grant and a loan from AfDB's soft loan arm, the African Development Fund to the tune of US $5.3 million and US $0.4 million respectively. It also includes a grant of US $1.8 million from the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA).

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Philippines:

10 Firms Vying for 588 MWe Unified Leyte Geothermal Facilities (Inquirer.net)

Prospective bidders, including some of the biggest players in the local energy sector, have swarmed the pre-bidding conference for the 588 MWe Unified Leyte geothermal facilities, said state-run Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) in a statement.

PSALM said 10 companies were interested in the independent power producer administrator (IPPA) contract for the “bulk energy,” which was about 348 MW.
These are DMCI Power Corp.,  Aboitiz Renewables Inc., FDC Utilities Inc. (FDCUI) of the Gotianuns, Global Business Power Corp. of the Metrobank group, Marubeni Corp.; Philippine Associated Smelting and Refining Corp. (Pasar), PowerOne Ventures Energy Inc., Trans-Asia Oil and Energy Development Corp., Unified Leyte Geothermal Energy Inc. (wholly owned by the Lopezes’ Energy Development Corp.) and Vivant Energy Corp.

Read More......

USA, California:

Local Water District Questions Casa Diablo IV Geothermal Expansion Project (Sierra Wave)

Casa Diablo Geothermal Plant
(Courtesy Sierra Wave)

The Mammoth Community Water District Board of Directors has authorized the filing of appeals to the decisions issued by the US Bureau of Land Management and the US Forest Service concerning the Final Joint Environmental Impact Statement /Environmental Impact Report (Final EIS/EIR) for the Casa Diablo IV Geothermal Development Project.

The Mammoth Community Water District (Water District) has serious concerns about the negative impacts the proposed Casa Diablo IV Geothermal Plant Expansion Project (CD IV) could have to local groundwater and surface water resources.  To protect the water resources used by the community, the District will be filing appeals to the BLM and USFS decisions to approve the proposed CD IV expansion project.

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Philippines:

Aboitiz Power Plans to Upgrade Tiwi-Makban Output to 460 MWe (Philippine Star)

AboitizPower, the power generation arm of the Aboitiz Group, is investing roughly $150 million to increase the reliability and availability of the Tiwi and Makban geothermal facilities in Albay and Laguna, respectively.

The Aboitiz Group, through its subsidiary AP Renewables Inc., acquired the Tiwi-Makban plants in 2008 for $446.888 million.

AboitizPower president and chief executive officer Erramon Aboitiz said there is a possibility of expanding the plant’s capacity.

“We really have to see how feasible it is. I guess this will have to come from different proposals and feasibility study,” Aboitiz said.

He said it is possible to bring the capacity to over 460 megawatts from the current 400 MW.

Read More.....

GRC Annual Meeting & GEA Geothermal Energy Expo:

Early Bird Registration Deadline for GRC Annual Meeting & GEA Geothermal Energy Expo is This Week

Save $100 by registering before midnight on Friday

The deadline for earlybird rates for registration for the international geothermal event of the year is this Friday, August 30. The GRC Annual Meeting & GEA Geothermal Energy Expo will bring together geothermal companies, academics, financiers, policy leaders, students, and other individuals to attend or exhibit at the event, to be held from September 29 to October 2 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Early birds who register before August 30 pay only $695 as GRC members or $795 if non-members. The non-member registration includes GRC membership through 2014. Students with a current identification card from an accredited institution pay just $5 which includes GRC membership through 2014. Registration to the GRC Annual Meeting also includes entry to the GEA Energy Expo. 

Registration is available from the GRC website at www.geothermal.org. A Preliminary Program complete with a Registration Form is available to view and download. However, the GRC recommends online registration through a secured connection.

USA, Nevada:

Maevelle Energy Acquires Bowman Geothermal

Maevelle Energy of Las Vegas, Nevada, a renewable energy planning and engineering solutions company, has taken over Bowman Geothermal which conducts feasibility, planning and geological evaluations of geothermal prospects throughout the Western U.S. and overseas.

Bowman Geothermal  will be exhibiting at booth #401 in the GEA Energy Expo, run in conjunction with the GRC Annual Meeting, Sept.29-Oct.2 at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. 

Argentina:

Barrick's Geothermal JV to Go Ahead on 20 MW Argentine Plant in 2014 (BNAmericas)

The geothermal joint venture between Barrick Gold, Argentina's San Juan provincial power utility EPSE and Argentine firm Geotermia Andina plans to finalize feasibility studies on a 20 MWe project by this time next year, according to provincial press reports.

The project, planned for the Despoblados area of the Valle del Cura valley, is expected to sign a PPA with Barrick's Veladero gold mine some 12km away, which currently consumes 17 MWe and requires 30Ml/y of diesel trucking in to power the mine, reported Barrick Argentine corporate affairs manager Julio Claudeville.

Barrick is also eyeing five other points with similar geothermal characteristics in the area to potentially power its US$8.5bn Pascua Lama gold-silver project some 10km from Veladero on the Chile-Argentina border.

Read More.....

USA, Oregon:

Permits Sought for Klamath Hills Geothermal Project (Herald and News)

New geothermal projects on public and private lands in the Klamath Basin are one step closer to becoming a reality. Entiv Organic Energy announced Monday it is applying for construction permits on the 9.7 MWe Klamath Hills project south of Klamath Falls.

The proposed geothermal plant would be on the land of the Barnes family, leased by Entiv Organic Energy. Entiv is a company formed to pursue such projects and spearheaded locally by Mike Noonan, a Klamath Basin farmer.

USA:

DOE Head Ernest Moniz Delivers First Major Policy Address (Greentech Media)

Dr. Ernest J. Moniz just delivered his first big policy address since being sworn in as the 13th U.S. Secretary of Energy in May. He spoke at Columbia University's Center on Global Energy Policy in New York City on Monday.

Secretary Moniz set the Obama administration's Climate Action Plan as the backbone of his speech and set the stage for his tenure at the DOE.

(VIDEO 1:14:05)

Read More.....

GRC Annual Meeting & GEA Geothermal Energy Expo:

GRC Annual Meeting & GEA Geothermal Energy Expo - Update

Last Week For Early Bird Registration Prices! Expires This Friday, August 30, 2013

Preliminary Program (PDF)

Register Online (preferred method)        Registration Form (PDF)

Room Block Almost Sold Out At The MGM Grand Book Your Rooms Now!

MGM Room Reservation - Discounted weekday room rates end September 5.

Advertising Rates Now Available for the GRC Annual Meeting Program Guide

Program Guide Advertising Rates (PDF)
Artwork Due Date: This Saturday, August 31.

The GRC Annual Photo Contest

Photo Contest Submission Form (PDF)
Submission Deadline this Saturday, August 31.

Become A Sponsor For The World's Largest Annual Geothermal Conference!

GRC/GEA Mutual Sponsorships (PDF)        GRC Only Sponsorships (PDF)

Don't Forget To Register For The GRC Charity Golf Tournament!

Register Online                       Golf Tournament Registration Brochure (PDF)

Indonesia:

Gov't Wants To Add 500 MWe of Geothermal Every Year (Indonesia Finance Today)

(Courtesy CIA.gov)

Susilo Siswoutomo, Deputy Energy and Mineral Resources Minister, said that total geothermal power capacity in Indonesia this year stood at around 1,360 MWe. He added that the target for 2020 stood at 6,600 MWe, hence every year there should be a growth of 300 to 500 MWe in geothermal power.

He said that Indonesia has geothermal power potential and reserves of over 28.6 GW, in 299 locations across Sumatra, Java, Bali, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Halmahera and West Papua. He asked all parties to assist the government in realizing the vast potentials.

There will be an update on geothermal energy in Indonesia as part of a session of International Updates at the GRC Annual Meeting & GEA Expo, Sept.29- Oct.2 at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

USA:

Renewable Energy Tops 14% of US Electrical Generation During First Half of 2013 (Renewable Energy World)

According to the latest issue of the U.S. Energy Information Administration's (EIA) "Electric Power Monthly," with preliminary data through to June 30, 2013, renewable energy sources (i.e., biomass, geothermal, hydropower, solar, wind) provided 14.20 percent of the nation's net electric power generation during the first half of the year. For the same period in 2012, renewables accounted for 13.57 percent of net electrical generation.

Moreover, non-hydro renewables have more than tripled their output during the past decade. They now account for almost the same share of electrical generation (6.71 percent) as does conventional hydropower (7.49 percent). Ten years ago (i.e., calendar year 2003), non-hydro renewables provided only 2.05 percent of net U.S. electrical generation.

Comparing the first six months of 2013 to the same period in 2012, geothermal in the U.S. grew by 0.43 percent to 1,427 Thousand Megawatthours supplied.

Read More.....

Djibouti:

Japan to Support Geothermal in Djibouti (GlobalPost)

Japanese Prime Minister
Shinzo Abe (Wikipedia Commons)

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Tuesday that Japan will provide support to Djibouti to develop geothermal power generation and secure stable electricity supplies.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is on a six-day trip through Thursday to oil-producing nations in the Middle East and Djibouti.

Read More......

Philippines:

EDC Eyes Relocation of Negros Geothermal Plant by 3Q 2014 (InterAksyon)

Energy Development Corp (EDC) aims to complete the relocation of its shuttered Northern Negros Geothermal Plant (NNGP) to Nasulo, Negros Oriental by the third quarter of next year.

In a report to its stockholders, EDC said the NNGP should be ready for technical and commercial operation by the said period.

In an agreement signed last year, EDC tapped Sumitomo Corp. of Japan for the relocation. Initial civil works, including the construction of the powerhouse, was conducted by EDC affiliate First Balfour Inc. prior to Sumitomo's contract.

Originally located in Negros Occidental, the 49 MWe NNGP was shut down in 2011 after steam production in the project site regressed, resulting in  EDC absorbing more than P5 billion in impairment losses.

In light of this, the company opted to relocate NNGP's electro-mechanical equipment to the 192.5 MWe Palinpinon geothermal power complex in Negros Oriental.

Read More.....

Technology:

Is Fracking for Geothermal Energy Green or Dirty? (The Motley Fool)

Geothermal energy is clean and green, but it's also hard to find good sites for its development. Stealing a page from fracking's playbook could change all that, but does it sully geothermal's pristine reputation in the process? Watch this video to hear more about what could be a game-changing technology.


(VIDEO 2:46 Minutes)

Canada :

Canadian Oil Sands – Geothermal Could Lower Greenhouse Gas Emissions (Beacon News)

Oil Sand Areas in Canada
(Courtesy globe-net)

Could geothermal heat hold the key to reducing greenhouse emissions in the Canadian oil sands? Two University of Alberta researchers think so.

Martyn Unsworth and Inga Moeck are exploring the potential of using geothermal energy to generate power for the Canadian oil sands region.

Currently, natural gas is used to heat water for Canadian oil sands bitumen processing, which accounts for about six per cent of total Canadian consumption. Eliminating natural gas consumption could both lower costs for industry and reduce greenhouse emissions.

Because geothermal resources (warm rock and hot water) in northern Alberta are much deeper in the Earth than in naturally volcanic regions, Unsworth and Moeck are proposing an “enhanced geothermal system,” or EGS. This technique involves fracturing the rock and pumping water through to harness the heat—demonstrating that fracking can also be used for green purposes.

Read More......

Australia:

Geelong Geothermal Project in Doubt After ARENA Rejection (RenewEconomy)

Greenearth Energy, based in Melbourne, Victoria, says the future of Geelong geothermal project is in doubt after it was denied funding by the Federal Government’s Australian Renewable Energy Agency.

Greenearth said its flagship commercial development opportunity, the 12 MWe Geelong Geothermal Power Project, has been unsuccessful in its expression of interest for funding under the Federal Government’s Emerging Renewables Program (ERP), which is administered by ARENA.

The Geelong Geothermal Power Plant is located near Geelong, approximately 11km North West of Anglesea, on the Holcim Ltd Moriac quarry site. The project has three planned stages; drilling to prove the local geothermal resource, constructing a 12 MWe demonstration plant, and if the demonstration project amounts, the development of a commercial plant.

Read More.....

USA:

NREL Study Suggests Cost Gap for Western Renewables Could Narrow by 2025 (NREL)

Geothermal power will likely remain more costly on an all-in, per-MWh basis than equivalent combined cycle natural gas turbine (CCGT) or other renewable power options in the West out to 2025, barring a significant breakthrough in current technology cost or performance.

A Department of Energy (DOE) study conducted by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) indicates that by 2025 wind and solar power electricity generation could become cost-competitive without federal subsidies, if new renewable energy development occurs in the most productive locations.

The report, "Beyond Renewable Portfolio Standards: An Assessment of Regional Supply and Demand Conditions Affecting the Future of Renewable Energy in the West (PDF)," compares the cost of renewable power generation (without federal subsidy) from the West's most productive renewable energy resource areas — including any needed transmission and integration costs — with the cost of energy from a new natural gas-fired generator built near the customers it serves.

Among the report's findings is new geothermal development could trend toward Idaho by 2025 since much of Nevada's resources have already been developed. Geothermal power from Idaho could be competitive in California as well as in the Pacific Northwest, but the quantity is relatively small. Reaching California, Oregon, and Washington may depend on access to unused capacity on existing transmission lines, or on being part of a multi-resource portfolio carried across new lines.

The study suggests that geothermal power will likely remain more costly on an all-in, per-MWh basis than equivalent CCGT or other renewable power options in the West out to 2025, barring a significant breakthrough in current technology cost or performance. For wind and solar built in ideal locations, the gap could become small.

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USA, California:

Bidding Starts on West Chocolate Mountains Renewable Energy Evaluation Area (Imperial Valley Press)

Chocolate Mountains (Wikipedia Commons)

More than 64,000 acres of the West Chocolate Mountains is up for bid by developers wanting to use the land for solar or geothermal projects.

The West Chocolate Mountains Renewable Energy Evaluation Area (REEA) was recently created by the federal government to provide renewable energy to the surrounding areas. A potential 3,306 MWe of solar energy and up to 150 MWe of geothermal energy can come from this land. This translates into 3.5 million homes that will be able to use this energy.

A timeline for geothermal projects is not available because a site-specific National Environmental Policy Act will be required before any future project can be approved. The act, which was put in place to protect the environment and wildlife, stipulates federal government agencies prepare environmental assessments and environmental impact statements of the area.

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USA, California:

Sonoma Clean Power to Double Size of First Launch (thecommunityvoice.com)

Sonoma Clean Power (SCP), the new, locally controlled electricity provider in Sonoma County in Northern California, will be doubling the size of its service launch from 10,000 to 20,000 customers in the initial phase, with an emphasis on commercial customers who are slated to start receiving service on May 1, 2014.

“SCP is currently negotiating with power suppliers to ensure the best mix of cleaner power sources at the most competitive rates,” Sonoma Clean Power CEO Geof Syphers said. “With 79 percent of the County participating, that really increases our negotiating power. Contracts are expected to be signed by November 2013.”

SCP will offer residential and commercial customers in participating areas the option of using more environmentally friendly power, generated by renewable sources – such as solar, wind and geothermal (the service area is next to The Geysers Geothermal Field) – at competitive rates. SCP will serve customers in the cities of Sonoma, Santa Rosa, Cotati, Windsor, and Sebastopol, and in the unincorporated area of the County.

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Opinion:

What Do You Think of When You Think of Geothermal Power? (RenewableEnergyWorld)

Why don’t people think of geothermal? Media, bloggers, even renewable energy advocates routinely omit the technology from discussions and news. The technology is proven, projects are in the pipeline worldwide – so why does geothermal energy struggle to keep up with solar and wind in the public popularity stakes? Surely it can’t be for the minimal, even negligible seismic susurrations that accompany it.

A geothermal company executive I spoke to a while back mentioned that, amongst the operational and technological concerns I had called him to discuss, he also perceived the lack of a robust approach to lobbying for geothermal energy in the United States compared to wind and solar. As I’ve mentioned before I believe that education and public perception is the alpha and the omega when it comes to where you get your electricity generation from, and we half-jokingly talked about how it might have to do with the name. Wind and solar: they are very easy to understand. Instantly you picture a wind turbine and a solar panel, sunlight coruscating from the latter in that now classic, easily marketed image. They are the runway models of renewable energy.

But what do you think of when geothermal energy is mentioned?

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Canada:

Geothermal Power: Why SaskPower is Interested (SaskPower)

Together with Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), SaskPower is committed to a $2 million Front End Engineering Design (FEED) Study on the viability of geothermal as a resource for clean electricity generation in southeastern Saskatchewan (each party has committed approximately $1 M to the study).

The FEED study, carried out by DEEP Earth Energy Production Inc., is an early step in the process that will look at the economic and technical aspects of geothermal power generation, and will wrap up in December 2013.

Funding the study is part of our ongoing evaluation of all potential clean energy options to meet the province’s growing need for electricity Find out more about our challenge and what we are doing to power the province here.

Geothermal power generation is a new concept in Canada. It’s too early to say what the results of DEEP’s research will be, but geothermal has been used successfully for electricity generation in other parts of the world.

Indonesia:

Pertamina Geothermal Further Develops Kamojang Unit 5 Geothermal Power Plant (Indonesia Finance Today)

PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy, a subsidiary of PT Pertamina (Persero) has begun the process of engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) of Kamojang Unit 5 geothermal power plant (PLTP). The power plant has a capacity of 30 MWe and is located in Garut, West Java.

Adriansyah, President Director of PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy, said the EPC process takes about a year, so the power plant is scheduled to start operation in 2014.

Central America:

European Investment Bank to Back Central America Renewable Energy (Business News Americas)

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has agreed to provide US$230mn to support investment in
hydropower, wind, geothermal and photovoltaic renewable energy projects in Central America.

The program, being carried out in partnership with the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (Cabei), will unlock more than US$500mn in investment for public and private clean energy projects in Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Panama.

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USA, California:

Record of Decision Signed for Casa Diablo IV Geothermal Energy Project (Sierra Wave)

The Bureau of Land Management’s Bishop Field Office and the U.S. Forest Service, Inyo National Forest, today signed the Records of Decision (PDF) approving a new 40 MWe geothermal project near Mammoth Lakes in Mono County, California.This follows the announcement on August 12 by U.S. Secretary of the Interior, Sally Jewel that the project had been approved.

Under the terms of the Records of Decision for the Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report, the Casa Diablo IV Geothermal Development Project, run by ORNI 50 LLC (wholly owned subsidiary of Ormat Nevada Inc.), will be built on lands administered by the Inyo National Forest and on private lands within four existing federal geothermal leases. The project will include construction of a new geothermal power plant, up to 16 new production and injection wells, multiple pipelines and an electric transmission line.

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USA, Nevada:

Interview With Yehudit Bronicki, CEO of Ormat Technologies, Inc. (The Wall Street Transcript)

Yehudit Bronicki, CEO of Ormat Technologies,
Inc. (Courtesy Haaretz Daily Newspaper Ltd)

The Wall Street Transcript (TWST) has just published its Alternative Energy Report offering a timely review of the sector to serious investors and industry executives. This special feature contains expert industry commentary through in-depth interviews with public company CEOs and Equity Analysts.

In the following excerpt from the Alternative Energy Report, the CEO of Ormat Technologies, Inc. discusses company strategy and the outlook for this vital industry:

TWST: You reported your second-quarter results yesterday. Can you share some highlights from the quarter with us?

Mrs. Bronicki: The quarter was one of the strongest quarters we had, maybe the strongest - certainly record revenues and very high EBITDA and net income. I mean, really in all parameters is really strong quartile believing by both segments, the electricity segment and the product segment.

The electricity segment is undergoing a challenge period with low natural gas prices that impact certain of our contracts in California, but because of the performance of this segment in other areas, we have been able to show growth despite the weakness caused by the natural gas prices. This is a temporary weakness, because those contracts are going to reach their term, one in 2015 and the other one in 2017. There is another one that goes a little longer, and once they expire we will be able to replace them by what is today considered to be market prices of renewable energy, and that's much higher than what we are getting for these contracts today. So that's on the electricity segment.

On the product segment, which was also very strong because of the strong backlog, we generated gross income that is very high. So high revenues, high gross income, and we expect the balance of the year and even looking into next year to continue to be strong also in the product segment. Our current backlog, and when we say current backlog, we mean disregarding revenues that were generated from June 30 to-date, is $170 million, which is a very nice backlog even though not the highest we had, but a very strong and good backlog.

GRC Company member Ormat Technologies will be at booth #301 at the GEA Expo run in conjunction with the GRC Annual Meeting, Sept. 29-Oct. 2 at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada.

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USA:

U.S. Politicians Urge Tax Reform to Aid Renewable Energy (renews.biz)

Raul Ruiz, U.S. Representative
of California's 36th District

Some 60 U.S. Democrat and Republican lawmakers are calling on the government to promote renewable energy as it tackles tax reform legislation.

The bipartisan group sent a letter to the House Committee on Ways and Means urging it to continue support for renewable energy. The letter is endorsed by the American Wind Energy Association, the U.S. Solar Energy Industries Association and the U.S. Geothermal Energy Association.

“Renewable energy is a critical area of economic growth for California’s 36th district and the rest of the country,” said Representative Raul Ruiz. “We have to work together to advocate for renewable energy jobs, domestic manufacturing and American energy independence.”

The letter said that the United States saw a 34% decrease in renewable energy investment last year due to policy uncertainty. The group asked the committee to maintain policies in the tax code that promote investment in and deployment of renewable energy technologies, such as the production tax credit and the investment tax credit.

New Zealand:

Geothermal Continues to Power New Zealand

The New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has today released the annual Energy in New Zealand report.

The report details the supply, transformation and use of all types of energy in New Zealand and contains facts and figures on energy prices, international comparisons and information on oil and gas reserves.

Last year geothermal energy in New Zealand produced 5843.51 GWh net electricity generation, a 10% jump between 2001 and 2012. Geothermal contributes 51% of the countries renewable energy.

The proportion of New Zealand’s primary energy supply that came from renewable resources was 37% in 2012. It is the third highest in the OECD after
Norway which is second and Iceland, which is first, according to the latest data available from the International Energy Agency. This is due to the high levels of hydro and geothermal energy used for electricity generation.

The contribution of renewable sources to primary energy supply decreased in 2012 to 37%, from 39% in 2011.  This contribution fell because of low hydro supply in 2012, while other sources of energy supply increased over the year. However, geothermal stepped up with a year-on-year increase of 1.3%.

Energy in New Zealand 2013 [2.7 MB PDF]

GRC Annual Meeting & GEA Energy Expo

President and CEO of California ISO to Speak at GRC Annual Meeting

Stephen Berberich, President and Chief Executive Officer, California ISO will be a keynote speaker at the Opening Session of the Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) Annual Meeting on September 30.

Steve Berberich is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the California Independent System Operator Corporation. As CEO, Mr. Berberich leads one of the largest transmission organizations in the world and collaborates closely with state and federal policy makers to ensure a reliable grid during the current transformation to a cleaner, more resilient power system.

The GRC Annual Meeting & GEA Energy Expo will be taking place Sept.29-Oct.2 at the MGM Grand Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.