Kenya, Tanzania:

Kenya and Tanzania Seek Consultant for Cross-Border Power Lines (Reuters)

Interconnector will help deliver renewable energy in the East African Rift Valley

Kenya and Tanzania have invited bids for a consultant to oversee the construction of a high-voltage power line connecting the two nations, part of efforts to meet growing demand for electricity and deepen integration of their economies.

The two countries will build approximately 510 km of 400 kilovolt (kv) power lines and several substations to allow them trade in power.

The project is planned to be implemented in twenty-three months from the contract commencement date, a tender announcement published in Kenya’s Daily Nation newspaper said.

The tender did not indicate the cost of the project. Bids are due by February 20.

Read More.......

Greece, Russia:

Greece and Russia to Discuss Cooperation in Geothermal Exploration (Sputnik International)

(Courtesy CIA.gov)

Representatives from the Greek government are in discussions with Russian geological comapny Rosgeologiya over the prospect of geological exploration in the country, as well as the construction of geothermal power stations, reports RIA Novosti.

There will be discussions of the possibility of construction of geothermal power stations like those at Kamchatka, in Russia's Far East. “In Greece there are a lot of geothermal energy sources, which could be used for the production of electrical energy and heating”, said the source.

Over the next two weeks, according to the agency, both parties are to consult with their working groups ahead of the Russian company's submission of firm proposals on where work should begin, which the Greek panel will start to examine at the end of the month.

Read More.........

India:

Government Exploring 1,000 MW Geothermal Energy to Power Rural India (Daily News & Analysis)

(Courtesy CIA.gov)

After decades of studies and field surveys, India has finally decided to focus on tapping clean and renewable geothermal energy, which is available in abundance but remains largely untapped.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) recently drafted a national policy, which seeks to make India a global leader in the sector, generating 1,000 MW in phase-one, ending 2022.

The draft would be presented at the first global investors' meet on renewable energy, to be held in New Delhi from February 15-17. Leading foreign firms in geothermal sector are expected to attend this meet.

"The power generated could be used to electrify rural parts of the country," says Girish Kumar, scientist and head of the geothermal division, MNRE.

Read More.......

Technology:

Mining for Lithium in Geothermal Brine: Promising but Pricey (Power Mag)

(Courtesy Simbol Materials)

Brine, the waste stream of the geothermal power production cycle, is usually considered a nuisance. High in corrosive minerals, even when reinjected, it’s challenging to manage. So when Simbol Inc. showed it had a way to turn this waste stream into a revenue stream by mining it for high-value minerals like lithium, a lot of people got excited. However, just as this article was going to press, a lot of people got laid off.

Worldwide, the U.S. is the largest producer of geothermal power; however, geothermal energy provides less than 0.5% of total generation in the U.S. Given geothermal’s small piece of the U.S. electricity pie, it may surprise you to learn that the nation is leading the way with breakthrough technology to capitalize on the use of valuable constituents found in geothermal wastewater.

Read More.........

USA, Hawaii:

Puna Geothermal Venture Can Go Ahead with Around-the-Clock Drilling (Big Island Video News)

Puna Geothermal Venture is set to go ahead with planned, around-the-clock drilling of a new production well in Pohoiki, after two resolutions failed to gain any traction at the Hawaii County Council. The measures would have taken PGV to task for their refusal to adhere to a law passed in 2012 banning geothermal drilling during the evening and early morning hours.



Resolution 58-15 requested PGV to comply with the 2012 ordinance, and to restrict their drilling operations at production well KS-16 to the hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Resolution 59-15, asking the county’s Corporation Counsel to step in to re-examine the issue, and take the company to court over the matter if the 2012 law is found applicable. Neither resolution was passed by the council on Wednesday.

Read More........

USA:

State of the Geothermal Industry Briefing (GEA)

24 February, Washington D.C., USA

The Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) is a supporter of the event

The U.S. Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) will be holding a “State of the Geothermal Industry Briefing” on Tuesday, February 24th at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. This program will provide an update on the U.S. and international geothermal industry featuring release of the 2015 Annual U.S. and Global Geothermal Power Production Report as well as presentations and panel discussion by key leaders in US and international development, finance, technology, policy and regulatory issues. This event will be widely attended by the geothermal industry, congressional staffers, government agencies and the DC community at large.

Attendees of the Briefing will receive the first view of GEA's Annual Report which will not be released to the public until the following week. To view the full agenda for the Briefing and to register to attend, please visit: http://www.geo-energy.org/events/2015/Geothermal_Industry_Briefing_2015.aspx.

Technology:

Best Practices Guide for Geothermal Exploration (IGA)

The senior editor of the 2nd edition is Dr. Colin Harvey, assisted by GRC Member Dr. Graeme Beardsmore.

In 2013 the International Geothermal Association (IGA) Service Company conducted a project for the International Finance Cooperation (IFC). A number of workshops were conducted and informed financial institutions, banks, insurances and developers in Turkey on geothermal energy developments, its prerequisites, financial conditions and technical aspects. One project outcome included the revision of a Best Practices Guide which can be applied to geothermal exploration projects around the world.

The 2nd edition of the Best Practices Guide is more comprehensive and is now available for download.

Geothermal Exploration Best Practices - 2nd Edition (PDF) (5.6 M)

USA, Hawaii:

Does Hawaii Need a Unified Grid? (IEEE Spectrum )

In 2013, NextEra proposed to start with a 180-kilometer-long,
high-voltage direct current (HVDC) link between Maui and Oahu
dubbed NextGrid Hawaii.

Since 2013, a big mainland energy firm has been rearing to build Hawaii's first inter-island power cable, arguing that only a unified power grid can enable the renewable energy developments needed to break Hawaii's addiction to imported petroleum. Now that big outsider—Juno Beach, Florida-based NextEra Energy—is trying to absorb Hawaii's power providers in one big bite.

Hawaii's other islands, by contrast, have renewable potential to spare, says a 2010 analysis commissioned by the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Lab. Lanai and Molokai could each generate over 1,000 GWh per year of wind power; Maui has over 2,000 GWh of viable geothermal, wind, and solar resources; and Hawai'i (better known as the Big Island) has over 6,000 GWh of geothermal potential. Sharing these resources with Oahu via subsea cables, the authors concluded, was the only way to meet Hawaii's goal to push renewables to 70 percent of the power supply by 2030.

Read More........

USA, Hawaii:

Geothermal Night Drilling Ban Challenged (Big Island Video News)

Puna Geothermal Venture is gearing up to drill a new production well. The drilling could last around the clock, 24 hours a day, even though Hawaii County passed a law a few years ago banning geothermal drilling at night. Now, community members are trying to stop the company any way they can.



A divided County Council voted Wednesday evening not to endorse a non-binding resolution asking the county’s attorneys to file a lawsuit against Puna Geothermal Venture to prevent it from drilling a new well at night.

Kenya:

Oil & Gas Company Diversifies into Geothermal Well Drilling on Low Oil Prices (Business Daily Africa)

Atlas Development, a logistics and engineering services firm based in Nairobi, will start drilling geothermal wells in Kenya as it diversifies from oil and gas sector slowed down by plummeting crude prices.

The company, listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange and the London Stock Exchange, said Thursday it would bid for drilling of steam energy wells together with its partners. The firm’s diversification comes in the wake of falling global crude prices that have caused jitters amongst exploration firms.

Atlas is working with the Geothermal Development Company (GDC), the developer of the Menengai geothermal prospect, in the provision of civil engineering services, catering and accommodation. The firm has already partnered with Iceland Drilling Ltd in drilling steam wells in Baringo County.

Read More.......

USA, Nevada:

Significant Lithium Deposits Found at Known Geothermal Site (News Release)

The supposition of a closed basin in an arid environment with a geothermal circulation system and sources of lithium suggests that Teels Marsh in Mineral County, Nevada is a target for significant lithium rich brines.

Dajin Resources Corp. of Vancouver, Canada has reported that the company's wholly owned subsidiary, Dajin Resources (US) Corp. has received the lithium and boron assay results from a widely spaced sediment sampling program carried out on Dajin's 100% owned Teels Marsh claims in Mineral County, Nevada.

Teels Marsh is a known geothermal site. Just as with circulating basin waters, the hot ones associated with the geothermal resource, dissolve rocks, liberating boron, lithium and other elements such as sodium and chloride. These minerals are brought to the surface as springs emanating from the faults bounding the playa. Halite (table salt), and ulexite (a calcium sodium borate) were mined in the valley in the late 1800s (1872 - 1892). The supposition of a closed basin in an arid environment with a geothermal circulation system and sources of lithium suggests that Teels Marsh is a target for significant lithium rich brines.

Read More......

The Netherlands:

Well on TU Delft Campus Can Boost Geothermal Energy in The Netherlands (TU Delft)

The Delft Aardwarmte Project (DAP) will provide a unique and promising opportunity for the development of geothermal energy in The Netherlands, says prof. David Bruhn in his inaugural speech at TU Delft (Delft University of Technology) on Wednesday, February 4th.

DAP will entail the drilling of a deep geothermal well at TU Delft with which the campus buildings can be heated in a sustainable way. Such a well will also provide all kinds of research opportunities.

Read More.......

Italy:

Geothermal Beer Added to EGP’s Green Menu (News Release)

Following the basil, cheese and salami products made using the geothermal heat from Enel Green Power plants, a new entry has made it onto Tuscany’s green menu: ‘beer made thanks to the steam produced from Enel Green Power’s geothermal energy generation’, as written on the label of the new brews created by Vapori di Birra, a company based in Sasso Pisano near Castelnuovo Val Di Cecina.

The three beers – Magma, Geyser and Sulfurea – are made thanks to a fermentation process that uses the high temperatures provided by geothermal production process. Beer lovers can find the amber double malt, 100 percent barley malt pale ale and wheat Weiss beer in local supermarkets and restaurants and at the pub next to the ‘geothermal’ brewery.

The beer will be presented at the Expo Milano 2015, the Universal Food Exhibition that Italy will host from May 1 to October 31, 2015.

Read More........

USA:

Why Support Geothermal Energy?

Click here to download the brochure........

USA:

Industry Survey Explores Job Creation, Property Taxes and Additional Economic Benefits of Geothermal Energy (Renewable Energy World)

According to the U.S. Energy Information Agency, geothermal power is a long-term consumer bargain for the western power grid. New information based on a survey of the U.S. industry and released by the U.S. Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) explores the economic benefits geothermal facilities bring to communities where they operate. GEA reports substantial revenues from taxes and royalties to state and local governments, long-term local employment and millions of dollars in environmental benefits.

“The Additional Economic Benefits of Geothermal Energy” found:

• In 2013, geothermal power producers paid $29 million dollars in annual property taxes, including $21 million dollars to the State of California.
• A 50 MW geothermal plant will require 310 person-years of construction and manufacturing employment.
• An average 50 MW facility will create permanent employment for about 100 people. 

Read More........

USA, Nevada:

Ormat Announces $175 Million JV Equity Investment (News Release)

Portfolio of 106 MW includes two geothermal facilities and three REG power plant complexes. Ormat to retain day-to-day managerial and operating control over the portfolio

Ormat Technologies, Inc. today announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary Ormat Nevada Inc. has entered into a binding agreement with infrastructure funds managed by Northleaf Capital Partners under which Ormat will contribute certain geothermal and recovered energy generation power plants into a newly established holding company subsidiary, and Northleaf will acquire an approximately 40% equity interest in the JV. The company will raise approximately $175 million from the transaction. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2015, subject to customary closing conditions.

The power plants that will be contributed to the JV as part of the transaction include Ormat’s Puna geothermal power plant in Hawaii, the Don A. Campbell geothermal power plant in Nevada, and nine power plant units across three recovered energy generation assets known as OREG 1, OREG 2, and OREG 3. Ormat will continue to consolidate the JV and its assets, and will continue to provide day-to-day management control, operations and maintenance control over the projects.

Read More......

Indonesia:

Indonesia International Geothermal Convention & Exhibition (IIGCE) 2015 (Indonesian Geothermal Association)

USA:

An Illustrated Guide to the State of America’s Clean Energy Sector (greentechmedia)

The graphs below are just a few of hundreds of statistics outlined in Bloomberg New Energy Finance's sustainable energy fact book released this week. Below is a collection of data points from the report that provide insight into how renewable energy including geothermal fared in 2014. While the high-level numbers are positive, sectors outside wind and solar have generally struggled to get beyond incremental growth.

Wind and solar have dominated new renewable capacity additions, while other sectors have seen incremental or no growth.

Long lead times and tax credit uncertainty continue to plague geothermal, which only saw two projects commissioned last year.

America is seeing early signs of a low-carbon transition. But when considering trends sector by sector, it's clear that the growth still isn't all that diverse -- it's largely limited to natural gas, wind and solar.

Read More.......

USA, Washington:

Mt. Baker Geothermal Consent to Lease Draft Environmental Assessment Available (News Release)

This project will analyze nearly 83,378 acres to decide whether or not to consent to lease, an if so, what lease stipulations are necessary to minimize impacts to other resources and comply with law, regulation, policy and Forest Plan Direction.

This Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) contains information about a proposal to consent to lease, with stipulations, lands identified as suitable for potential exploration and development of geothermal leasing. This Consent is made to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

The information in this EA is organized to allow the public and the Forest Supervisor of the Mt. Baker Snoqualmie National Forest (MBS) to consider the potential future environmental effects of this consent. The Forest Supervisor is responsible for deciding whether or not to select the No Action alternative (Alternative 1) or the Proposed Action alternative (Alternative 2).

Mt. Baker Geothermal Consent to Lease Draft Environmental Assessment (PDF)

Indonesia:

Bali Geothermal Seminar

17 February, Universitas Udayana, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia

USA:

Look! A Kitten With a Graph!

http://t.co/mQMmsxWLmH pic.twitter.com/7S24EknBI0
— David Roberts (@drgrist) February 4, 2015

USA, Nevada:

McGinness Hills Phase 2 Geothermal Power Plant Begins Commercial Operation (News Release)

40 MW extension brings complex generating capacity to approximately 72 MW

McGuiness (Little Power Plant in the Prairie) 
by Haim Shoshan, Ormat Systems, Yavne, Israel

Ormat Technologies, Inc. announced today that the second phase of its McGinness Hills geothermal power plant located in Lander County, Nevada has begun commercial operation.

Since February 1, 2015, the complex sells electricity under the amended Power Purchase Agreement with NV Energy at a new energy rate of $85.58/MWh with a 1 percent annual escalator through December 2032.

The second phase broke ground on March 2014 following resource confirmation and excellent performance of the first phase of McGinness Hills, which had been operational since June 2012. During the construction, the project has generated hundreds of direct and indirect jobs in the United States. The support and cooperation of the utility, state, county and federal agencies is credited for the project coming on line and ahead of schedule.

Read More.......

Iceland:

Carbon Recycling Plant to Triple Production Using Geothermal CO2 (Iceland Review)

Process takes CO2 from Svartsengi Geothermal Power Station to produce methanol

(Courtesy Carbon Recycling International)

The alternative fuel plant run by Carbon Recycling International at Svartsengi in Southwest Iceland will triple its production in a few weeks. The Icelandic National Planning Agency has approved the plant’s enlargement.

The plant takes advantage of carbon dioxide emissions from the on-site HS Orka Svartsengi geothermal power plant, mixes it with hydrogen and creates methanol, which is used for producing biodiesel and as an additive to gasoline.

Soon, the plant’s production will be up to 4,000 tons per year. The fuel has been sold in Iceland and abroad.

Read More........

Kenya:

Expressions of Interest Invited for Review of 600 MW Suswa Geothermal Prospect (News Release)

Closing date for receipt of EOI: 18 February 2015, at 16.00 Icelandic time

The Icelandic International Development Agency (ICEIDA) has called for Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for a review of the conceptual model of the Suswa geothermal prospect, with an estimated capacity of 600 MW, in Kenya. The Kenyan Rift Valley has more than 14 high-temperature sites, whose potential is estimated at over 15 GW. Located in its southern parts, Suswa is currently undergoing detailed surface exploration.

ICEIDA's EOIs, announced Tuesday, is targeting experienced and qualified companies from any country, which are interested in the job. The suitable bidders will be able to later take part in the Request for Proposals stage of the project.

ICEIDA and the Nordic Development Fund (NDF) are co-funding a project whose aim is to encourage and support geothermal exploration and capacity building in East Africa. The geothermal exploration project is to help countries in the region boost their geothermal knowledge and capacity. ICEIDA and the Government of Kenya, through its Geothermal Development Co (GDC), are also partnering on the geothermal initiative.

Read More.......

Canada:

CanGEA: Geothermal $56-$73 / MWh Better for BC than Site C (News Release)

Today Alison Thompson, Chair and Managing Director of the Canadian Geothermal Energy Association (CanGEA) provided a technical briefing on the CanGEA Geothermal Report. Without adjusting for other significant benefits such as reduced transmission costs and increased permanent jobs, the geothermal unit energy cost of $56 - $73/MWh compares positively to the updated Site C cost to ratepayers of $58-$61/MWh.

CanGEA Chair Alison Thompson notes: "To paraphrase Minister Bill Bennett, there is every possible way that geothermal can be the answer to our prayers at the present time. If the BC Government treats geothermal energy as a priority, not an afterthought, geothermal will provide firm energy beginning in 2018 at a lower cost than Site C and in a manner that benefits ratepayers, taxpayers, First Nations, the economy and the environment, not to mention having a carbon footprint that is lower than Site C."

CanGEA geothermal background information available at http://www.cangea.ca

Republic of Vanuatu:

Approval for Exploration Phase of Vanuatu Geothermal Project Received (News Release)

Australian company Geodynamics Ltd has received environmental approvals for the exploration phase of the 8 MW Takara geothermal power project in Vanuatu.

The acting director of the Vanuatu Department of Environmental Protection and Conservation has this week permitted Geodynamics to drill two geothermal exploration wells at Takara, the company said in a statement on Wednesday. The project on the island of Efate will be developed in two stages, each involving the installation of a net 4-MW plant.

Read More........

USA, California:

Lithium Plans in Doubt as Simbol Materials Fires Dozens (The Desert Sun)

Simbol Materials has spent years developing technology to extract lithium from geothermal brine, a leftover of geothermal energy production by the Salton Sea. That technology, experts have said, could provide a valuable source of lithium for Tesla and other electric automakers. It could also help incentivize new geothermal development, long seen as critical for funding the restoration of the shrinking Salton Sea.

As recently as last month, Simbol officials said the company was preparing to build a full-scale lithium-extraction plant, with plans to hire 400 workers during construction. But the company suddenly fired nearly 40 people from its demonstration plant in Calipatria last week, leaving just a handful of employees who are scrambling to find new sources of funding.

Dave Watson, the chief executive of EnergySource which operates the Featherstone geothermal plant in Calipatria that has provided the geothermal brine that Simbol has used to test its lithium-extraction process, said the companies have negotiated an agreement that would allow Simbol to use much larger quantities of that brine at its full-scale extraction plant. But even though the companies settled on terms last year, Watson said he hasn't heard from Simbol since December.

Simbol says that it is now seeking investors to help it commercialize its lithium production. However, EnergySource, the provider of its brines, says that it will take a different management team to realize the potential of Simbol’s lithium extraction process.

Read More.........

Technology:

Geothermal Assisted Power Generation for Thermal Power Plants (Penn Energy)

By Nigel Bean Chair of Applied Mathematics, School of Mathematics, University of Adelaide & Josephine Varney Ph.D. Candidate, University of Adelaide

The recent push to reduce carbon emissions from the electricity sector encompasses common, immediately available approaches such as increasing power plant efficiency and increasing the deployment of renewables. The opportunity now exists to accomplish these goals simultaneously through the use of geothermal energy to increase the power output, and decrease the carbon intensity, of thermal power plants.

This technology is referred to here as geothermal assisted power generation (GAPG). Basically, GAPG employs hot geothermal fluid to heat the boiler feedwater at a thermal power plant. The steam that would otherwise be taken from the turbines to heat the feedwater is allowed to run through the turbines, thereby generating extra power and increasing plant efficiency. Here we use efficiency to mean “fossil fuel efficiency”, as more power is generated per unit heat (MMBtu) of fossil fuel, because of the addition of the geothermal heat.

Unquestionably, greater deployment of GAPG has major implications for geothermal developers. GAPG allows them to focus on what they do best, getting hot geothermal fluid from the ground to the surface, and does not require the expertise or capital to produce and sell electricity. Further, the power plant is able to generate up to three times as much power per kilogram of geothermal fluid as a stand-alone geothermal power plant.

Read More.......

Technology:

6 Charts that Show Renewable Energy is Getting Cheaper (grist)

Things are changing very quickly in the world of renewable energy. The conventional wisdom — that renewables are expensive, that they depend on subsidies, that it’s too costly to integrate them into the grid — is rapidly being rendered anachronistic, though no one seems to have told U.S. policymakers and pundits.

So let’s check in on the real cost of renewables. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), an intergovernmental research organization, recently released its latest report, “Renewable Power Generation Costs in 2014,” and it’s chock full of current info.

Read More.......

USA, Wyoming:

Teapot Dome Oilfield is Sold (News Release)

Property boasts a number of 190 degree geothermal wells

A 250-kW Organic Rankine Cycle unit was used in
geothermal tests (Courtesy RMOTC)

As of January 30th the Department of Energy finalized the sale of NPR-3, to its new owners Stranded Oil Resources Corporation. The sale is the culmination of a competitive bidding process that closed on October 16th, 2014. NPR-3, also known as the historic Teapot Dome Oilfield, consists of 9,481 acres that was set aside in 1915 as a naval oil reserve. One hundred years after its beginnings the Teapot Dome Oilfield begins a new chapter under new owners.

The property also boasts a number of hot water wells. These geothermal features produce hot water from the Ten Sleep and Madison formations.

Clarke Turner, director of RMOTC has said "We have a great geothermal resource — 190 degree water from the Ten Sleep Formation — that could be used in low temperature electrical generators to produce energy that could run some of the systems."

According to the website " With the existing geologic structure at RMOTC, promising potential exists for Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) testing. The field also has two reliable water resources for supporting low-temperature geothermal testing. RMOTC can support multiple field-scale geothermal testing and demonstration and has the capability to provide project management off site."

Read More........

USA, Nevada:

Geothermal Energy Taking Hold, to Nevada's Benefit (KTVN)

GRC Member Josh Nordquist boosts geothermal energy in the Silver State

We've heard for years that cheap energy may lie right under our feet, or from the sun. Reno is a Saudi Arabia in one kind of energy: geothermal. GRC Member Josh Nordquist of Ormat Technologies tells KTVN News, “The best part of geothermal is that it's there all the time. It's sustainable, base-load and reliable."

Northern Nevada is ranked number one in the nation when it comes to installed geothermal energy. It's all closer to the surface here. Geothermal is hotter than ever, pardon the pun. The process is simple. As Nordquist put it, "Geothermal fluid processes through our plant and generates power."

It's so untapped, geothermal supplies only 9% of our power through NV Energy, ranking third behind natural gas and coal. It would be higher…if fossil fuel prices weren't so low. But Nordquist looks ahead. He told us, "Fossil fuel prices traditionally cycle up and down, and we're in a low cycle now, which means after a low cycle it usually becomes a higher cycle." When those prices go up, this energy from below will be here for the taking. When that happens, geothermal will go on a hiring binge. Nordquist predicts "Somewhere around 500 jobs are created for each project that comes online."

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

United Kingdom:

Lecture: Gas, Geothermal Energy, and Gold: the Earth’s Crust as a Percolator (Cardiff University)

February 10, 18:30 - 19:30, Wallace Lecture Theatre, Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff, Wales, CF10 3AT

Professor Tom Blenkinsop (Cardiff University) considers how the assessment of the Earth’s finite natural resources is becoming an increasingly urgent task as they are depleted; yet demand continues to rise. New methods of resource evaluation take advantage of the fractal geometry of georesources.

Lode gold deposits, geothermal wells and volcanoes, and conventional and unconventional gas wells all have fractal characteristics that can be assessed by these techniques. These seemingly disparate resources are connected; they are formed by fluid fluxes through the crust. Their origin can be considered as a consequence of percolation, bringing a further armoury of theory to bear on understanding their formation and distribution.

More Information.......

USA:

Obama Pushes for PTC Extension (Windpower Monthly)

Barack Obama renewed his push for the permanent extension of the $0.023/kWh production tax credit (PTC) and 30% investment tax credit (ITC) as part of a $4 billion 2016 budget package.

It is not the first time the US president has moved to make the tax credits permanent, but to date he has had little success convincing Congress to go along. Most recently, lawmakers managed only a one-year extension to the end of 2014.

The combined price tag of extending the PTC and ITC is an estimated $31.5 billion over the next decade alone, according the budget documents.

The budget proposal also includes a $4 billion fund to encourage US states to make faster and deeper cuts to emissions from power plants and $7.4 billion to fund clean energy technology programs.

Read More.......

Canada:

The Clean Energy Enigma: Why is the BC Government Ignoring Low Cost Geothermal Energy to Destroy a Valley with the Site C Dam? (CanGEA Geothermal Technical Briefing)

Wednesday, February 4th, 451-409 Granville Street, Vancouver B.C.

Members of the media and the public are invited to attend a one-hour technical briefing hosted by Alison Thompson, Chair and Managing Director of the Canadian Geothermal Energy Association (CanGEA).

CanGEA released the report: “Geothermal Energy: The Renewable and Cost Effective Alternative to Site C” on November 25, 2014.  Two days later CanGEA wrote and requested an opportunity to brief Minister Bennett and Premier Christy Clark on this breakthrough research.  CanGEA never received a response.

Instead, on December 16th, 2014, the BC government announced that construction of the Site C Dam (Site C) will commence in summer 2015. At the Site C Final Investment Decision technical briefing, Minister Bennett unequivocally rejected geothermal: "…there is no possible way that geothermal could be the answer to our prayers at the present time…".

CanGEA is unable to confirm how Minister Bennett reached this conclusion –  the supporting research and analysis has not been made public.

Read More........

Global:

The Latest News from the Leading Geothermal Energy Magazine (GRC)

A free article from the GRC Bulletin - Volume 44, No. 1 - January/February 2015

The Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) has made available the latest GRC Bulletin, the definitive voice of the global geothermal energy industry, published continuously since 1972. 

The Bulletin is free with GRC Membership or subscribe (PDF) to six issues a year for $90 in the USA or $140 worldwide.

The GRC has generously provided 8 pages from the latest issue for free. However, the full issue is 44 pages!

In this issue, there is the second part of a review of the GRC Annual Meeting & GEA Expo, the biggest annual geothermal energy meeting in the world. In the article there is a report on the GRC Awards.

Join the GRC or subscribe to get the complete issue.

USA:

President Obama Requests An Additional $41 Million for Geothermal Energy

Proposed budget is 74% increase from 2015 spending

President Barack Obama’s has announced his proposed budget for fiscal 2016, beginning next Oct. 1. For the U.S. Department of Energy he is asking for discretionary spending of $30 Billion to support development in the areas of nuclear security, clean energy, environmental cleanup, climate change response, science and innovation. Included is a request for an additional $41 Million for the Geothermal Technologies program.

The budget figures for the Geothermal Technologies program are:

• 2014 actual spending: $44.8 Million 
• 2015 estimated spending: $55 Million 
• 2016 requested spending: $96 Million

The detailed budget estimates for the DoE includes the following relevant language:

The goal of the Geothermal Technologies Program is to make geothermal energy a fully competitive, widely available, and geographically diverse component of the national energy mix.

Geothermal Technologies subprogram objectives include technology development that will drive industry deployment of a targeted 30 GW of new undiscovered hydrothermal resources (nearly 10 times the current level of geothermal power deployment) and 100+ GW of EGS. 

The pathway for achieving these objectives includes developing new exploration tools and techniques to lower the upfront risk of geothermal resource exploration, reducing the Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) of newly developed geothermal systems—including EGS—from current costs of 22.4 cents/kilowatt hour (kWh) to 6 cents/kWh (market prices) by 2030, conducting RD&D on technologies to harness available lower temperature resources more effectively, and developing improved methods to create new EGS reservoirs. 

A number of geothermal resource categories have become cost-competitive, which allows the program to target RD&D efforts on lowering the cost and risk of developing greenfield EGS, both blind and known hydrothermal resources, as well as greenfield low temperature.

USA:

Obama Proposes $2.72 Billion for EERE in Budget (EERE)

In order to secure America's energy future and protect our children from the impacts of climate change, the Budget invests in clean energy, improving energy security, and enhancing preparedness and resilience to climate change. These investments support the President's Climate Action Plan, helping to expand American leadership in the clean energy economy with new businesses, jobs, and opportunities for American workers.

Download the fact sheet to read the full highlights of the President's FY 2016 Budget for the Department of Energy, which provides $30 billion to support the Department in the areas of nuclear security, clean energy, environmental cleanup, climate change response, science and innovation.

The Budget proposes $2.72 billion for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy to build on the Administration’s success in reducing U.S. dependence on fossil fuels, promoting energy efficiency, and doubling U.S. renewable electricity generation through investments in a diverse suite of sustainable transportation technologies, renewable generation technologies, development of manufacturing technologies, and enhanced energy efficiency in our homes, buildings and industries.

DOE FY 2016 Budget Fact Sheet (PDF)

Indonesia:

Chevron Returns Ciremai Mountain Geothermal to Indonesian Government (Jakarta Globe)

Chevron Geothermal Indonesia returned the Ciremai Mountain geothermal working area to the Indonesian government, a move that could push back the country’s ambition to take advantage of its huge geothermal potential.

Based on the company’s evaluation, it was impossible for Chevron to continue the development of the Ciremai geothermal project, Chevron Pacific Indonesia corporate communications manager Doni Indrawan said last week.

“Chevron did not continue the management of the Ciremai geothermal, and we returned it to the Indonesian government, so that they can consider conducting a re-tender,” Doni said. He did provide further details of the evaluation.

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USA, Hawaii:

Puna Geothermal Hosts Meeting on Night Drilling (Big Island Video News)

Upcoming plans to commence drilling operations at Puna Geothermal Venture in Pohoiki were the subject of a community meeting organized by the power producers last Thursday. About 50 area residents showed up at the Pahoa Community Center to participate in the question and answer session with PGV representative Mike Kaleikini.

Philippines:

Auction Process for Geothermal Sites to Start February 23 (BusinessWorld Online Edition)

The Philippines energy department plans to start later this month the open and competitive selection process (OCSP) for the 24 renewable energy resource areas that will be offered to investors, an official of the Energy department said last week.

“The target is to launch the OCSP on Feb. 23. We’re just working on some final details,” Mario C. Marasigan, director of the agency’s Renewable Energy Management Bureau, said in a text message.

Under the OCSP, the Energy department will offer four geothermal and 20 hydropower sites for development and utilization. Two of the geothermal sites to be offered are in Mindanao, while the other two are in Luzon and the Visayas.

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Japan:

J-Power Venture to Build 42 MW Geothermal Plant in Northern Japan (Bloomberg)

The largest electric utility in Japan, Electric Power Development Co., also known as J-Power, plans to build a 42 MW geothermal power station in northern Japan.

Mitsubishi Materials Corp. and Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Co. will also take part in the project in Akita prefecture. The plant will start running in May 2019.

State-run Japan Oil, Gas & Metals National Corp., which announced the move in a Jan. 30 statement, will guarantee 80 percent of the 26 billion yen ($221 million) debt, which is to be provided by a group of banks led by Mizuho Bank Ltd.

The project marks the first time for a geothermal power station with a capacity of 10 megawatts or larger to be built in Japan since a 27.5 MW station in Oita prefecture started operations in 1996, Japan Oil, Gas & Metals said.

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Uganda:

Why Uganda Must Switch to Geothermal Energy (African Review)

(Courtesy CIA.gov)

In its effort to address ongoing power shortages, Uganda is making geothermal technology a viable option to solve energy problems and has taken a strategic decision to develop available energy sources in the country.

According to Uganda's Ministry of Energy, geothermal energy could solve problems pertaining to energy reliability and security, economic development and air quality.

Uganda’s energy body said that geothermal energy could solve three problems – energy reliability and security, economic development and air quality. It is a versatile energy form as it can be used to produce power in utility scale facilities or for a wide variety of direct use applications such as spas, swimming pools, baths, heating green houses and dehydrating agricultural products.

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Costa Rica, Bolivia:

Costa Rica to Advise Bolivia on Geothermal Energy (SeeNews Renewables)

Bolivia is currently working on a project to install the first 50 MW of geothermal energy at Laguna Colorada by 2019.

Costa Rica will assist Bolivia in studying options for development of geothermal energy at the Laguna Colorada lake in Potosi department, Bolivia's president Evo Morales told a press conference on Friday.

A technical team will visit Bolivia in the next weeks to view local projects and help advance towards final design.

Morales discussed the collaboration with Costa Rican president Luis Guillermo Solis during the summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States last week.

Bolivia is currently working on a project to install the first 50 MW at Laguna Colorada by 2019. Until now, the government has secured financing for drilling and consultancy with a 40-year loan of nearly USD 25 million (EUR 22m) from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

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USA:

Alt Electricity Surpasses Natural Gas (Domestic Fuel)

According to the latest “Energy Infrastructure Update” report from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) Office of Energy Projects, new renewable energy sources generated more capacity than natural gas in 2014.

Sources including biomass, geothermal, hydroelectric, solar and wind provided 49.81 percent (7,663 MW) of new electrical generation brought into service. Natural gas accounted for 48.65 percent (7,485 MW). By comparison, in 2013, natural gas accounted for 46.44% (7,378 MW) of new electrical generating capacity while renewables accounted for 43.03% (6,837 MW).

Geothermal (32 MW) – accounted for 2.89 percent of new electrical generation.

Renewable energy sources now account for 16.63 percent of total installed operating generating capacity in the U.S.:

• water – 8.42%
• wind – 5.54%
• biomass – 1.38%
• solar – 0.96%
• geothermal steam – 0.33%

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USA, Nevada:

Alterra Power Completes Sale of Soda Lake Facility (News Release)

Alterra Power Corp. of Vancouver, Canada has announced that it has completed its previously announced sale of the 15 MW (8 MW net) Soda Lake geothermal facility located in Fallon, Nevada to an affiliate of Cyrq Energy, Inc. of Salt Lake City, Utah, and has received proceeds of US$8.5 million.

Included in the sale are certain early-stage development assets also located in Nevada. Alterra may receive additional compensation over the next five years upon the achievement of certain performance-related or earn-out provisions.

Additionally, Alterra will retain solar development rights at the Soda Lake facility site for solar projects of up to 40 MW total for up to eight years.

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USA:

New Director Unveils Energy Department Geothermal Project Portfolio (EERE/GTO)

Jay Nathwani, Acting Director of the U.S. Energy Department's Geothermal Technologies Office, presented the program portfolio for 2015, leveraging over $400 million across 175 projects nationwide.

Jay Nathwani's presentation at the Stanford Geothermal Workshop, January 26 (PDF)

Climate Change:

Fossil Fuel Subsidies Fall in Gain for Renewables (Bloomberg)

Countries from Mexico to Germany and Malaysia are increasingly taking advantage of cheap oil by trimming fossil-fuel subsidies, easing the way for renewable power that can help the environment, according to the chief economist of the International Energy Agency.

With the global cost of crude cut by more than half, Fatih Birol said the IEA has scrapped a forecast that had subsidies reaching $660 billion by 2020. In the group’s latest report, fossil fuel producers were paid $548 billion in 2013, a $26.5 billion decline that was the first drop in four years.

At least 27 nations are decreasing or ending the subsidies that hold down costs for fuels used to generate electricity, including coal and natural gas, the IEA reported in November. That’s adding momentum to global efforts to limit greenhouse gases by increasing the use of clean energy.

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USA:

Geothermal Resources Council Announces Yellowstone Workshop (News Release)

The GRC Workshop will visit Yellowstone National Park, the greatest concentration of geothermal features on the planet.

All attendees will get this 48 page color booklet by
trip leader Duncan Foley.

The Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) is proud to announce another GRC Workshop. This year’s workshop will include a fieldtrip of the major geologic features of Yellowstone Park, the first national park in the world and the site of the greatest concentration of geothermal features on the planet, and discussions of its volcanic history, geochemistry, and hydrology.

The trip will be led by Duncan Foley, Gene Suemnicht, and Joe Moore. Duncan Foley has led geologic and photographic tours of the park since the 1970’s and is familiar with its features, moods and history. Gene Suemnicht and Joe Moore each have more than 30 years experience in geothermal systems worldwide.

In addition to Yellowstone National Park the trip will visit the 13 MW net capacity U.S. Geothermal Raft River geothermal power plant and the Raft River Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) site where reservoir stimulation activities are being conducted.

In the National Park workshop attendees will see at first hand the geological and geothermal features of the Yellowstone super volcanic system including 300 plus geysers – more than half of all the geysers in the world and more than 10,000 thermal features comprised of brilliantly colored hot springs, bubbling mudpots, and steaming fumaroles.

The cost is $1,500 for GRC Members and $1,700 for non-members. More information and registration is available online at: www.geothermal.org.

Only 50 spaces are available so early registration is advised. The deadline is June 12.

USA:

Geothermal Energy Helps Power Super Bowl (News Release)

Phoenix regional utility Salt River Project, on behalf of the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee, is partnering with the NFL Environmental Program to provide green energy for the American football Super Bowl XLIX today at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale.

The electricity needed to power the Super Bowl will be from 100 percent renewable energy resources to offset greenhouse gas emissions associated with Super Bowl XLIX.

In 2014 the utility sourced 304,089 Megawatt Hours of electricity from geothermal energy, just under 18% of the renewable energy resources.

The SRP board has set a goal to meet 20 percent of SRP’s retail electricity requirements through sustainable resources by 2020. Currently, SRP is ahead of schedule — providing more than 12 percent of retail energy needs with sustainable resources, which include solar, wind and geothermal energy, hydropower, as well as energy efficiency measures.

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USA, California:

An Oasis in the Desert: Geothermal Energy and the Salton Sea (ACORE)

The Salton Sea Known Geothermal Resource Area (KGRA) has the most geothermal capacity potential in the U.S. Currently home to ten geothermal plants, with -- the most recent addition by EnergySource -- the Salton Sea is a goldmine for geothermal potential.

Geothermal energy, the harnessing of heat radiating from the Earth’s crust, is a renewable resource that is capable of cost-effectively generating large amounts of power. In addition, geothermal energy can be relied on to pump out energy 24/7. This reliability makes geothermal viable with invariable fossil fuels like coal, natural gas, and nuclear.

It is a no-brainer to tap into the intense geothermal potential offered by the Salton Sea. While other proposals to restore the Salton Sea have not taken off due to lack of funds, a proposal by the Imperial Irrigation District (IID) to take advantage of the Salton Sea’s geothermal potential could be the answer to the giant lake’s problems.

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