Tanzania:

Tanzania Poised to Transform National Energy Sector with Influx of Renewables (African Development Bank)

The geothermal development component will catalyze development of more than 100 MW of geothermal power.

(Courtesy CIA.gov)

On September 12, the Republic of Tanzania received endorsement from the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) of an investment plan which will help the country to scale-up the development of its abundant renewable energy resources.

The plan will be funded by US $50 million from the CIF’s Scaling-Up Renewable Energy Program in Low-Income Countries (SREP) and the balance from the African Development Bank (AfDB), World Bank, Government, private sector, commercial sources and other development partners. It features a geothermal development component and a renewable energy for rural electrification component.

The geothermal development component, which is expected to receive US $25 million from SREP and US $45 million support from the AfDB, will catalyze development of more than 100 MW of geothermal power, principally by the private sector, and will establish an enabling environment for large-scale geothermal development.

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Technology:

Simulation Capability Illuminates Geothermal Energy Potential (Phys.Org)

This image is from a simulation showing how
FALCON can reproduce observed behavior.

Researchers in four countries are using an Idaho National Laboratory modeling program to simulate the subsurface physics important for geothermal energy extraction.

The Fracturing And Liquid CONvection (FALCON) code enables simulation that is faster, simpler and more comprehensive than previous options.

A U.S. Department of Energy Geothermal Technologies Office award through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 is yielding results that will advance deployment of geothermal resources by reducing risk and costs of renewable energy development. It is helping researchers evaluate geothermal energy site data, and it may soon be able to offer predictions that could help improve geothermal energy output.

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USA, Nevada:

Paul Thomsen Named Nevada Energy Director (MSN Money)

Paul Thomsen at last year's GRC
Annual Meeting Opening Session

Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval has tapped Ormat Technologies executive Paul Thomsen to serve as director of the Nevada Office of Energy.

GRC member Thomsen has served as director of the geothermal company since 2005. Before that he worked for Nevada U.S. Sen. Harry Reid and former Sen. Richard Bryan. He's also president of the U.S. Geothermal Energy Association.

Sandoval says Thomsen has extensive experience in federal, state and local legislative and regulatory issues involving the energy industry.

Thomsen replaces Stacey Crowley, who resigned in July. He will assume his new position Oct. 14.

USA, California:

California Energy Bill Passes, Awaits Governor's Signature (Renewable Energy World)

Lawmakers in the California state legislature granted their final approval to a package of energy legislation. The bill, AB 327, will now head to Gov. Jerry Brown's desk. It passed the state Senate September 9 with a vote of 33-5 after passing the Assembly in May by wide margins.

The bill's centerpiece would essentially remove the "cap" from California's renewable energy portfolio standard (RPS), which is already one of the most aggressive in the nation.

California state law requires power companies to generate 33 percent of their electricity from renewable sources. AB 327, once signed into law, will empower the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to raise that percentage without the need for legislative action.

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East Africa:

The Geothermal Risk Mitigation Facility – Announcement of Pre-application Information Workshop for the Second Application Round

The pre-application information workshop will be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 21st October 2013 at the African Union compound.

The Geothermal Risk Mitigation Facility (GRMF) would kindly invite interested project developers and project financiers to a pre-application information workshop considering financial support for geothermal projects in Eastern Africa.

GRMF was established by the African Union Commission (AUC), on the one side, and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and development (BMZ) and the EU-Africa Infrastructure Trust Fund via KfW Entwicklungsbank (KfW), on the other side, to help catalyze geothermal developments in Eastern Africa.

Based on the great interest in the first application round, the GRMF programme, which originally targeted 5 countries, has now been extended to 11 countries.

The information workshop will introduce the GRMF programme to potential applicants and will provide a comprehensive overview of the whole application procedure. The Request for Expression of Interest (EoI) and the related submission form for EoI will be explained in detail. It is strongly recommended that potential applicants participate in the information workshop to ensure a mutual understanding of the requirements for Application and thus a high quality of submitted EoI and Applications.

The pre-application information workshop will be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 21st October 2013 at the African Union compound.

For detailed information and registration for the information workshop please visit the GRMF website.

USA:

Report: Thirsty U.S. Energy Production On "Collision Course" With Climate-Imperiled Water Supply

Coal-Fired Power, Nuclear, Natural Gas from Fracking Singled Out As Increasingly Untenable in Portions of U.S. Already Struggling With Shrinking Water Supplies; U.S. Needs to Start Planning to Take Into Account Energy Water Use ... Not Just Energy Production.

Industry critics of solar and wind power are quick to assert that there will be problems for renewable energy when the sun doesn't shine and the wind doesn't blow. But a new Civil Society Institute (CSI) report (PDF) prepared by Synapse Energy Economics suggests that dirty energy sources - including coal-fired electric power, nuclear power, and natural gas from fracking - face an even bigger challenge: What are you going to do if the water doesn't flow?

Read More......

Global:

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Iceland:

New EIA for Geothermal Plant in NE Iceland Not Needed (Iceland Review)

Engineering firm Elfa concluded in a new report presented yesterday that a new overall Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for a proposed 45-90 MW geothermal power plant at Bjarnarflag near Lake Mývatn in Northeast Iceland is unnecessary.

The evaluation, carried out on behalf of Landsvirkjun national power company, stated that fundamental changes have not occurred to the basic condition or legal framework since the last EIA for Bjarnarflag was made ten years ago.

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Australia:

AGEC 2013 to Celebrate Geothermal Industry Successes Down Under (EcoGeneration)

The 6th Australian Geothermal Energy Conference will be held in Brisbane from 14–15 November 2013, at the University of Queensland’s Saint Lucia Campus.

2013 marks an important year in the development of geothermal energy in Australia.

Significant progress has been achieved in a number of collaborative geothermal research projects, including at Australia's Information and Communications Technology Research Centre of Excellence (NICTA), the Queensland Centre of Excellence for Geothermal Energy and at the South Australian Centre for Geothermal Energy Research, in collaboration with CSIRO.

Read More......

USA, Nevada:

Nevada Geothermal Lease for Sale (ThinkGeoEnergy)

ThinkGeoEnergy reports that a 640 acre geothermal lease in Nevada is being sold by Wilco Energy, LLC which is now up for sale.

Trabits Group, a privately held company headquartered in Alaska that specializes in technology and resource development acquired a majority interest in Wilco Energy, LLC in February, 2013.

Wilco Energy holds a non-federal 1,240 acre geothermal lease in the heart of the Colado Known Geothermal Resource Area, located in Pershing County 7 miles northeast of Lovelock, Nevada with access from off of Interstate Highway 80.

Read More.....

USA: Hawai`i :

Governor Pushes Ahead on Undersea Cable (KPUA)

Hawai`i Governor Neil Abercrombie is reiterating his administrations pledge to connect the states electrical grids with an undersea transmission cable.

Abercrombie told the Asia Pacific Clean Energy Conference in Honolulu that its time to take full advantage and press forward relentlessly on Hawai`is diverse resources such as geothermal, solar, wind, hydro, bioenergy and biomass.

He said connecting the islands would allow them to share their renewable energy resources and ultimately bring down the cost of electricity.

Read More.....

Japan:

Marubeni Begins Geothermal Survey in Japanese National Park (Bloomberg)

Marubeni Corp. has begun a geothermal survey of Daisetsuzan National Park on the northern island of Hokkaido that will continue through February in the hopes that it will discover more clean-energy sources.

The Tokyo-based trading company will study the geology of the area with more tests to follow once officials find enough evidence of geothermal resources, Marubeni said today in a statement.

Last year, Japan revised rules for geothermal power projects in national parks where more than 80 percent of the country’s resources are to try to increase energy supplies.

Global:

Vote for Geothermal Project of the Year (PennNet)

The editors of Power Engineering and Renewable Energy World magazines and their respective websites have announced 17 finalists for the annual Projects of the Year Awards program.

The Best Geothermal Project finalists are the Ngatamariki Geothermal Power Plant in Taupo, New Zealand, and the McGinness Hills Geothermal Power Plant in Lander County, Nev., both owned by Ormat Technologies Inc.

Voting has commenced for the final category: Readers’ Choice. Readers can cast their vote for their favorite project, selecting among the entire group of Project of the Year finalists. The voting page is here. Voting is open until October 1, 2013.

The winners of the Projects of the Year Awards will be announced on Monday, November 11, at the POWER-GEN International Conference and Exhibition and the co-located NUCLEAR POWER International Conference and Exhibition, Renewable Energy World Conference & Exhibition North America and the Financial Forum.

Iceland, Ethiopia:

ICEIDA and Nordic Development Fund (NDF) Start Geothermal Cooperation with Ethiopia (Icelandic International Development Agency)

As a part of the ICEIDA/NDF Geothermal Exploration Project, the Icelandic International Development Agency (ICEIDA) has signed a Partnership Agreement with the Government of Ethiopia for geothermal surface exploration and capacity building for geothermal development.

The implementing agencies in Ethiopia are the Geological Survey of Ethiopia (GSE) and the and Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCO). The cooperation with Ethiopia is initiated under the Iceland – World Bank compact on geothermal energy. The project in Ethiopia is the second project to be initiated under the ICEIDA/NDF Geothermal Exploration Project, with the first one already under way in Rwanda.

Ethiopia is considered to have great geothermal potential, up to 5,000 MW.

Read More......

Technology:

Geothermal Chilling Extends Crop’s Life (Waynesville Smoky Mountain News)

Mountain Research Station
(Courtesy NCDA&CS Research Stations Division)

Haywood Community College (HCC) in Clyde, North Carolina will soon build an experimental geothermal pre-cooling facility to extend the shelf life of produce and crops in the western part of the state.

The project, called Geothermal Chilling for WNC Farmers, will be completed with a $50,000 grant from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

The installation will be placed at the government’s Mountain Research Station in Haywood County. Its task will be to increase the short shelf life of perishable crops by cooling them as soon as they are harvested.

To do that it will make use of geothermal chilling — a durable, low maintenance, economical and environmentally friendly technology. The technology will be on display for local farmers and offer options for use at their own locations. HCC is also offering a course on the new installation, Basics of Geothermal Technology, from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays, from Oct. 8 through Oct. 22. The cost of the class is $70.

Philippines:

Bacman I Shuts Down for Maintenance (BusinessWorld Online Edition)

Bacon-Manito Geothermal Power Plant (Courtesy EDC)

Energy Development Corp. (EDC) is scheduled to shut down today the first 55-MWe unit of its Bacon-Manito (Bacman) geothermal power plant in Bicol for inspection and maintenance, the Lopez-led firm said in a disclosure yesterday.

The firm said “Bacman Unit 1 will be on planned shutdown starting… September 12… for about 12 days for an inspection of the steam and turbine and other opportunity works.”

“The inspection to be conducted is further to disclosures made last April 8... at the time of the Bacman Unit 1’s recommissioning. Based on the findings of such inspection, EDC management will decide whether or not further restrictions to the future operation of Unit 1 are necessary.”

The Bacman power facility - which straddles Bacon, Sorsogon and Manito, Albay - consists of two 55 MWe plants and a third 20 MWe unit.

Read More.....

Philippines:

Exploratory Drilling Starts at Biliran Geothermal Field (BusinessWorld Online Edition)

Biliran Geothermal, Inc. (BGI) is set to proceed with the drilling of an exploratory well at a geothermal field on Biliran Island to assess if the area can support commercial operations, an Energy department official said yesterday.

“The company’s drilling activity will push through this month. They are just waiting for the drilling rig and they will proceed once it arrives,” Mario C. Marasigan, the department’s director for Renewable Energy Management Bureau, said in a phone interview when asked on updates on the geothermal project.

Mr. Marasigan said BGI will drill the first exploratory well to validate resource availability. “If they confirm the resource based on the prognosis, then they will start the development phase of the geothermal field.”

Mr. Marasigan said that drilling of an exploratory well usually takes “around 30 days” and assessment will take about three months. After six months, BGI can decide if it will develop the area’s resource.

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Denmark:

Danes Drill Deep for Geothermal Energy (Science Nordic)

(Courtesy CIA.gov)

It’s hot and wet down in the depths. This, put simply, is why Danes have set drill heads rotating deep into the sand and sandstone below them for energy.

Søren Berg Lorenzen of Danish Geothermal District Heating was a speaker at the recent GeoEnergi 2013 conference in Bergen.

He talked about some of the projects that make Denmark the Scandinavian leader in geothermal energy. One reason for their dominance is the country has made a political decision to rely on this clean resource.

Although Denmark does not have volcanic activity or hot springs, it does have certain geological advantages.

Read More......

USA, Hawai'i, Opinion:

The Big Island Is Throwing Away Geothermal Electricity (Huffington Post)

Here on the Big Island, we throw away at least seven MW of electricity per day. It's geothermal energy tapped at night, when people are sleeping and so the utility requires less electricity.

That's enough to power 4,550 homes or more.

Hawaii Electric Light Company (HELCO) doesn't say that the 7 MW of electricity is "thrown away." They call it "curtailed" -- but "curtailed" means it goes unused. It's wasted. Thrown away.

I am a founding member of the Big Island Community Coalition, a group dedicated to making Big Island electricity rates the lowest in the state. We want to find a way to utilize this "thrown away" resource that is already being tapped, and which could be used to greatly benefit the people of the Big Island.

What if we could "wheel" this geothermal energy out of Puna and use it strategically?

Read More......

Chile:

Chile Tests Geothermal Greenhouse (Fresh Fruit Portal)

(Courtesy Fresh Fruit Portal)

Chile’s Agrarian Innovation Foundation (FIA) is piloting what it describes as the first horticultural greenhouse run on geothermal energy.

The project, launched outside of Santiago in Lampa, seeks to improve yield and decrease low-temperature loses while minimizing energy input and keeping costs low.

To start off, the initiative will work with arugula, watercress and mint to explore the use of geothermal heat pumps to optimize temperature control.

Currently in Chile, this type of energy technology is only used for residential power and in certain industrial contexts, the FIA said.

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Kenya:

Kenya Eyes Lower Electricity Charges with Green Energy (businessdailyafrica.com)

The Kenyan government has turned to green energy sources in the hope of cutting by half electricity costs to light more households and spur industrial growth.

President Uhuru Kenyatta said generation would bank on geothermal, wind, natural gas and other cheaper energy sources to reduce the cost of electricity to Sh9.10 (¢10.45) per kilowatt hour from the current average of Sh17.20 (¢19.78) per unit for domestic households.

Kenya plans to add 5,000 MW to its grid by the end of 2016, with geothermal power accounting for almost a third or 1,646 MW while wind will load 630 MW.

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Australia:

California Engineering Company to Buy Sinclair Knight Merz (ENR.com)

Australian firm Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM), with global capability in strategic consulting, engineering and project delivery including involvement in many geothermal energy projects, is being taken over by Pasadena, California -based Jacobs Engineering Group Inc.

The deal is set to boost Jacobs' role in mining and infrastructure markets in Australia and elsewhere, and would provide SKM with a link to a well-heeled parent in diverse industrial, government and transportation technical services businesses.

The transaction, subject to a shareholder vote by employee-owned SKM and to Australian government approval, is set to close during the first quarter of Jacobs' fiscal 2014, which ends on Dec. 31, 2013.

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GRC Annual Meeting & GEA Energy Expo:

President and CEO of NV Energy to Speak at GRC Annual Meeting

Michael W. Yackira, President and
Chief Executive Officer, NV Energy

Michael W. Yackira, President and Chief Executive Officer, NV Energy, will be a keynote speaker at the Opening Session of the Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) Annual Meeting on September 30.

Michael Yackira joined NV Energy in January 2003. He was elected Chief Executive Officer effective August 1, 2007. In February 2007, he was elected President and Chief Operating Officer and also to the Board of Directors. Prior to that Michael was Corporate Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (December 2003 to February 2007) and Executive Vice President, Strategy and Policy (January 2003 to December 2003).

Yackira spent more than a decade as an executive with FPL Group, serving in several positions, including President of FPL Energy; Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer of FPL Group; and Senior Vice President of Market and Regulatory Services for Florida Power & Light. His experience includes extensive roles in operations, finance and regulatory matters in other industries, including telecommunications, and oil and gas.

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.

GRC Annual Meeting & GEA Energy Expo

Upcoming NREL Report Examines The Impact of Permitting Costs on the Levelized Cost of Energy for Geothermal

NREL analysts Paul Schwabe and Jared Wiedmeyer recently authored a technical report, Understanding Permitting Impacts on the Levelized Cost of Energy for Geothermal, which examines how permitting costs and delays impact the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) for geothermal projects.

The authors will be presenting the report at the 2013 Geothermal Resources Council 37th Annual Meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada, which takes place from September 29–October 2, 2013. We will post the day and time of the presentation and a link to the report on FinanceRE as the conference approaches.

USA, Oregon:

Neal Hot Springs Geothermal Plant Has its Grand Opening (Ontario Argus Observer)

Kevin Kitz, vice president of project development for U.S. Geothermal,

 second from left in front, explains the operation of the turbine (center, left)

 and related structures at the Neal Hot Springs geothermal plant 

(Courtesy Larry Meyer | Argus Observer)

U.S. Geothermal Inc. and Enbridge Inc. hosted a grand opening Friday celebrating the operation of their Neal Hot Springs Geothermal Plant, the first commercial geothermal power plant in Oregon.

With an annual average net production of 22 MWe, the project west of Vale and Bully Creek Reservoir produces about 191,000 megawatt-hours annually, enough to supply the energy needs of about 24,000 customers, according to information provided by the two companies. The power is being sold to Idaho Power through a 25-year purchase agreement. About 150 jobs were created at the peak of construction, plus about 500 in the supply chain, and there are 12 full-time employees.

U.S. Geothermal, with offices in Boise, developed the project with Enbridge, a Canadian company, coming on board as an equity partner. The Neal Hot Springs plant began producing power in November 2012.

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India:

Nation's First Geothermal Power Project in Chhattisgarh (Times of India)

Preparations are on to establish nation's first geothermal power project in Tatapani, the newly-formed Balrampur-Ramanujganj district of Chhattisgarh.

Dubbing it as a big achievement for the district, chief minister Raman Singh, on Friday, said that India's first geothermal power project would use underground hot water springs at Tatapani to convert it into steam, and then generate electricity by using special technology.

"Ramanuj-Balrampur district has been formed with the objective to bring people of this bordering area closer to the government and administration, and thereby ensure effective implementation of public welfare schemes," he said.

Chile:

Chile Backs Renewables Auctions (reNews)

Chile has moved a step closer to implementing renewable energy auctions after the country’s Senate approved legislation outlining fundamental market reforms.

The new regulations allow for the Ministry of Energy to hold annual tenders for “blocks” of power to be supplied from “unconventional” renewables such as geothermal, wind, mini-hydro, biomass and solar.

The legislation also sets a new renewable energy target of 20% by 2025, an increase on the previous goal of 10%. Chile’s renewables industry and some senators had been pushing for 20% by 2020.

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Costa Rica:

Geothermal Power: Costa Rica’s Next Clean Energy Solution? (The Costa Rica Star)

Pailas Geothermal Power Plant

Long, fat, round pipes in dark brown and off-white snake along the rust red ground through the underbrush. The pipes belong to the Pailas Geothermal Power Plant at the Rincón de la Vieja Volcano in Costa Rica’s northwestern Guanacaste region. As the world investigates alternative energy solutions that are sustainable and not harmful to the environment, Costa Rica is actively exploring its own clean energy options.

The small Central American nation currently produces more than 90% of its electricity from renewable sources, mostly hydroelectric projects. However, hydroelectric power is weather-dependent, and during the driest months of summer it is stretched to its limits when water reserves are low.

Costa Rica has a plentiful resource however that is largely untapped – volcanic geothermal energy. Geothermal power uses underground steam from volcanoes. The energy is harnessed by drawing hot water and steam from within the Earth’s crust, and then cooling it to move power turbines. An advantage of geothermal power is that it is continuously generated, and not dependent on weather conditions.

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USA, California:

Ormat Reduces Exposure to Natural Gas Prices With New 10-Year PPA for Heber 1 (NASDAQ - Press Release)

Ormat Technologies, Inc. announced today that it entered into a 10-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Southern California Public Power Authority (SCPPA) to deliver electricity from its Heber 1 geothermal power plant at the Heber complex in Imperial Valley, California beginning December 16, 2015. The current PPA with Southern California Edison will expire December 15, 2015.

"This new contract with SCPPA aligns with our overall strategy to replace the more volatile Standard Offer Contract No. 4 (SO#4), which is tied to natural gas prices, with fixed-price contracts," said Dita Bronicki, chief executive officer of Ormat. "Signing this 46 MW contract will reduce our portfolio's exposure to California SO#4 PPAs to 100 MW."

With an expected net generating capacity of 46 MW, Ormat will sell the power to SCPPA at an average price of approximately $85.62 per megawatt hour over the lifetime of the contract. The new pricing will increase Heber 1 revenues in 2016 by more than $7 million. SCPPA members that will receive power from Heber 1 are the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) and the Imperial Irrigation District (IID).

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.

The 

Ormat Heber Geothermal Complex will be one of the destinations on a GRC Field Trip from 

Wednesday, October 2 – Saturday, October 5 to the 

Imperial Valley, California, departing from the 

GRC Annual Meeting.

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GRC Annual Meeting & GEA Geothermal Energy Expo:

GRC Annual Meeting & GEA Geothermal Energy Expo - Party With the Stars of the Geothermal Industry!

New Zealand:

Big NZ Geothermal Plant Kicks Into Gear (Earth Techling)

The Ngatamariki plant during construction
(image via RCP)

Ormat has completed the largest geothermal power plant of its type ever, in New Zealand, bringing online the Ngatamariki plant – variously characterized as 82 MWe and 100 MWe — for Mighty River Power.

The plant is expected to produce close to 700 gigawatt-hours of electricity.

Equivalent to:

• 318 MW solar PV plant operating at 25 percent capacity factor, or 
• 228 MW wind farm operating at 35 percent capacity (typical figures for such utility-scale plants) would turn out in a year. 

And, of course, it has the big advantage that geothermal offers: It isn’t intermittent. It’s 24-hour-a-day.

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New Zealand:

Mighty River Power Supports Geothermal Engineering Research (Scoop.co.nz - Press Release)

Professor Rosalind Archer
(Courtesy The University of Auckland)

Energy generation company, Mighty River Power has pledged $1 million over the next five years to support the establishment of a chair in geothermal reservoir engineering at The University of Auckland.

This week, after an international search process, the University appointed Professor Rosalind Archer to hold both the Mighty River Power Chair in Geothermal Reservoir Engineering at the University and the directorship of the University’s Geothermal Institute.

She is the first woman to be appointed as a chair in engineering in New Zealand.

Professor Archer was earlier this year appointed as the head of the Department of Engineering Science at the University’s Faculty of Engineering where she has taught and contributed to research projects for 11 years. Her appointment to the chair brings with it a promotion from associate professor to professor.

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GRC Annual Meeting & GEA Geothermal Energy Expo:

GRC 34th Annual Geothermal Amateur Photography Contest



In total, 43 photos were entered in the 34th Annual Amateur Geothermal Photography Contest where they are judged for impact, relevance, composition and technical quality.

GRC appreciates the creativity and quality of all contest submissions.

Winners will be announced and showcased at the GRC Annual Meeting at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, September 29 - October 2, 2013.

Technology:

Self-Flying Planes Aid Geothermal, Seismic Exploration (USGS)

USGS geophysicist and GRC Member Jonathan Glen, in cooperation with scientists and engineers from NASA, Carnegie-Mellon University and Central Washington University, is working to characterize the complex seismic and geothermal systems of the Basin and Range area of the western USA and understanding the relationships between them.

They are using an experimental system called payload-directed flight (PDF) to study and map the underground fracture and fault systems of Surprise Valley, Calif., a promising target for geothermal exploration and development in the far northeast corner of the state. They hope to complete their two-year study not only with comprehensive geophysical data from Surprise Valley itself, but an efficient research strategy for exploring geothermal systems in comparable terrain throughout the world.

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GRC Annual Meeting & GEA Geothermal Energy Expo:

Reserve Your Room Today and Save $60!

Deadline for Special Room Rate Offer For Weekday Nights is Midnight Tonight!

The room rate for weekdays at the MGM Grand Resort & Casino at present is $89. However, after today the rate will increase to $169 a night.

Make your reservation now for the geothermal event of the year! The GRC Annual Meeting & GEA Geothermal Energy Expo.

Chile:

Energía Andina Podría Generar 80 MW Mediante El Proyecto Tinguiririca En 2019, Chile (Piensa en Geotermia) 

Energia Andina GM Interview on Industry Status in Chile

José Manuel Soffia, gerente general de Energía Andina, realizó una interesante entrevista donde analizó el estado en el que se encuentra la geotermia en Chile y avanzó el desarrollo de los proyectos que tiene Energía Andina en cartera.

Projects advance slowly but surely in Chile. Energia Andina is not currently looking for partners but this can rapidly change as current projects advance to further stages.

Read More.....             Leer más......

East Africa:

Iceland Signs Agreement to Help Develop Geothermal in the African Rift Valley (panapress.com)

In its bid to assist African Rift Valley countries in the development of geothermal energy resource, the African Union Commission (AUC) and the Icelandic International Development Agency (ICEIDA) have signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field.

According to the agreement initialed by the two parties here Wednesday, the AUC and ICEIDA will work together to develop and implement geothermal energy policy as well as investment, regulatory and institutional guidelines, among other areas, in eleven African Rift Valley countries

In 2012, the AUC, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the EU-Africa Infrastructure Trust Fund through KfW Entwicklungsbank (KfW) established the 50-million-euro Geothermal Risk Mitigation Facility (GRMF) for African Rift Valley countries to provide grants for geothermal resource exploration and drilling projects.

GRMF started with five pilot countries -- Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda – and, currently, the facility covers eleven countries including Burundi, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea and Zambia.

Read More.....

USA, Oregon:

Mapping Geothermal In Southern Oregon (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

(Courtesy Herald and News)

Seismic vibrators that measure sound waves and provide geologic maps thousands of feet below ground are finishing work in the Olene Gap area as Klamath Basin Geopower moves forward with plans to drill a second geothermal well.

“We know exactly where the resource is,” said Dr. Satish Pullammanappallil, Klamath Basin Geopower’s chief operating officer, from the recording truck where data from the seismic vibrations, or “thumping,” is received. “Our goal is to build a power plant and sell the power.”

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.

The company earlier this year finished the first well that reached a depth of about 6,000 feet and measured temperatures exceeding 280 degrees. Bill Honjas, the company’s CEO and president, said the well is designed to produce up to 2,800 gallons per minute, or about 6.5 MWe.

Read More.....

GRC Annual Meeting and GEA Energy Expo:

The "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" Sign is going Green! (Clean Energy Project)

The "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign will go green this winter!

For the past year, Clean Energy Project (CEP) and Green Chips has been working with the Clark County Commission to develop a solar project that will power the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign with Nevada’s own solar energy. Just yesterday, the Clark County Commission unanimously approved the project agreement!

The Welcome to Las Vegas sign is just 1.6 miles from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, the location for the GRC Annual Meeting and GEA Energy Expo, Sept.29-Oct.2.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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”.

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