Washington State Senate OKs Bill Giving Utilities Option on Renewable Energy (Power-Eng)
A bill that would give large electric utilities an alternative way to comply with a state law requiring more energy from renewable sources passed the Washington Senate on Monday night after a protracted fight over whether climate change is real and if humans contribute to it.
Senate Bill 5735, sponsored by Republican Sen. Doug Ericksen, passed the chamber on a mostly party line 26-23 vote and now heads to the Democrat-controlled House, where it is likely to face resistance. The measure would allow utilities to meet their targets under Initiative 937 by investing in carbon reduction.
The current state law requires nearly a third of the state's utilities - those with at least 25,000 customers - to get 15 percent of their power from wind, solar, geothermal and certain woody biomass by 2020.
Under the bill that passed the Senate, anything that reduces carbon would qualify, such as the installation of electric vehicle chargers. Utilities could also spend 1 percent of their retail revenue on carbon reduction in order to meet the initiative's requirements.
Supporters say it gives utilities more flexibility and reduces energy costs while reducing carbon emissions.
Read More......
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Kenya:
Kenya Signs Power Line Deals to Deliver Geothermal Energy (Reuters)
Kenya has signed deals worth 8.14 billion shillings ($89 million) to construct a 313-km high-voltage transmission line to connect geothermal power plants to its western region and help link the grid to neighboring countries.
A series of projects initiated by the state aim to improve power distribution and link Kenya's grid to its neighbors.
The Olkaria-Lessos-Kisumu electricity transmission project shall connect to the Ethiopia-Kenya interconnector which terminates at Suswa substation, via the Olkaria-Suswa project.
The line will run from Olkaria to Lessos in Eldoret, connecting to Tororo in Uganda via the Kenya Uganda interconnector and further to Rwanda.
State-owned Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Ltd (KETRACO) said the project signed on Tuesday would link geothermal plants in the Rift Valley's Olkaria region to western Kenya by March 2017.
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A series of projects initiated by the state aim to improve power distribution and link Kenya's grid to its neighbors.
The Olkaria-Lessos-Kisumu electricity transmission project shall connect to the Ethiopia-Kenya interconnector which terminates at Suswa substation, via the Olkaria-Suswa project.
The line will run from Olkaria to Lessos in Eldoret, connecting to Tororo in Uganda via the Kenya Uganda interconnector and further to Rwanda.
State-owned Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Ltd (KETRACO) said the project signed on Tuesday would link geothermal plants in the Rift Valley's Olkaria region to western Kenya by March 2017.
Read More........
Japan:
Japan May More Than Double Geothermal Power Capacity by 2030 (Bloomberg)
Japan may more than double its geothermal power capacity by 2030, according to a document released Tuesday by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
The country, which ranks third in the world in terms of geothermal resources, currently has 520 megawatts. By 2030, Japan may add 380 megawatts to 850 megawatts under different scenarios which take into factors such as deregulations, according to the document.
Read More.......
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| (Courtesy CIA.gov) |
The country, which ranks third in the world in terms of geothermal resources, currently has 520 megawatts. By 2030, Japan may add 380 megawatts to 850 megawatts under different scenarios which take into factors such as deregulations, according to the document.
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United Kingdom:
Fife Geothermal Welcomes £250,000 Geothermal Energy Challenge Fund Announcement (AltEnergyMag - News Release)
Iain Todd, chairman of Fife Geothermal, said: "This is an extremely encouraging step forward for a sector that offers significant potential for helping Scotland to achieve its sustainable energy ambitions, but in which there has been little commercial development to date.
"Fife is already recognized as having significant geothermal resources – both in terms of its geology and using hot water from former mine workings. Fife Geothermal is keen to promote and develop the region as a major strategic area for demonstrator sites in these technologies. Development of such sites in Fife would not only be underpinned by considerable local geological and mining expertise (both academic and industrial), but could prove a commercial source of sustainable energy feeding into Fife Council's plans for public heating schemes in the area."
Fife Geothermal is a consortium group that was established in May, 2014, as a strategic, catalytic tool for developing the region's natural sources of geothermal energy. The group comprises representatives from Fife Council, St Andrews University, the British Geological Survey, Scottish Enterprise, Green Business Fife and a number of industrial companies including Town Rock Energy, Cluff Geothermal and GT Energy.
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"Fife is already recognized as having significant geothermal resources – both in terms of its geology and using hot water from former mine workings. Fife Geothermal is keen to promote and develop the region as a major strategic area for demonstrator sites in these technologies. Development of such sites in Fife would not only be underpinned by considerable local geological and mining expertise (both academic and industrial), but could prove a commercial source of sustainable energy feeding into Fife Council's plans for public heating schemes in the area."
Fife Geothermal is a consortium group that was established in May, 2014, as a strategic, catalytic tool for developing the region's natural sources of geothermal energy. The group comprises representatives from Fife Council, St Andrews University, the British Geological Survey, Scottish Enterprise, Green Business Fife and a number of industrial companies including Town Rock Energy, Cluff Geothermal and GT Energy.
Read More.......
Monday, March 9, 2015
United Kingdom:
Geothermal Energy Challenge Fund Workshops (Scottish Enterprise)
13 March 2015, 9:30am - 1:30pm, IET Glasgow
16 March, 2015, 9:30am - 1:30pm, Scottish Enterprise, Edinburgh
The workshops are open to anyone with an interest in the Geothermal Energy Challenge Fund. Potential applicants and their consortium partners may find it helpful to attend to better understand the objectives of the Challenge Fund, the application and assessment processes.
The Geothermal Energy Challenge Fund has been set up to help support feasibility studies in respect of the capacity of the geothermal resource in abandoned mine workings, hot sedimentary aquifers, and hot dry or hot wet rocks to support a local market and the viability of the identified location(s) as a self-sustaining, economically attractive investment prospect.
The Geothermal Energy Challenge Fund can support up to 100% of selected feasibility projects eligible costs, up to a maximum award of £50,000.
Read More.......
13 March 2015, 9:30am - 1:30pm, IET Glasgow
16 March, 2015, 9:30am - 1:30pm, Scottish Enterprise, Edinburgh
The Geothermal Energy Challenge Fund has been set up to help support feasibility studies in respect of the capacity of the geothermal resource in abandoned mine workings, hot sedimentary aquifers, and hot dry or hot wet rocks to support a local market and the viability of the identified location(s) as a self-sustaining, economically attractive investment prospect.
The Geothermal Energy Challenge Fund can support up to 100% of selected feasibility projects eligible costs, up to a maximum award of £50,000.
Read More.......
Kenya:
Projection of 7,200 MW of Geothermal Energy by 2033 (Standard Group)
According to the Kenyan Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), the country will have an installed power capacity of 24,674 MW by 2033. Geothermal power has been identified as the pillar project for the expansion project which will see Kenya turn into an exporter of electricity.
Of the project capacity, geothermal will be leading with 7,264 MW which will account for 29.4 percent with coal following at 5,400 MW (21.9 percent), 3,960 MW from gas turbines, 2,600 MW from Nuclear energy, and 2,180 MW from wind.
Geothermal energy will continue to be the number one provider of electricity
Of the project capacity, geothermal will be leading with 7,264 MW which will account for 29.4 percent with coal following at 5,400 MW (21.9 percent), 3,960 MW from gas turbines, 2,600 MW from Nuclear energy, and 2,180 MW from wind.
According to ERC director in charge of economic regulation Dr John Mutua, the country was slowly shifting from hydro to geothermal which is reliable and sustainable.
Read More........
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Philippines:
EDC’s 2014 Net Profit Jumps 40% on Higher Power Sales (SeeNews Renewables)
Philippine geothermal power firm Energy Development Corp today posted a 40% year-on-year rise in 2014 attributable net profit to PHP 9.2 billion (USD 208m/EUR 191m) thanks to higher electricity sales.
Including non-recurring items, net profit surged 149% to PHP 11.7 billion.
Consolidated revenues climbed by 20% to PHP 30.9 billion, mainly due to a PHP-2.8-billion contribution from the 135 MW Bacon-Manito (Bacman) geothermal plant. The complex consists of Bacman I, which includes one 55 MW and one 60 MW unit, and the 20 MW Bacman II facility.
Furthermore, EDC’s 49.4-MW Nasulo geothermal project was also put into operation during the third quarter of 2014.
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Including non-recurring items, net profit surged 149% to PHP 11.7 billion.
Consolidated revenues climbed by 20% to PHP 30.9 billion, mainly due to a PHP-2.8-billion contribution from the 135 MW Bacon-Manito (Bacman) geothermal plant. The complex consists of Bacman I, which includes one 55 MW and one 60 MW unit, and the 20 MW Bacman II facility.
Furthermore, EDC’s 49.4-MW Nasulo geothermal project was also put into operation during the third quarter of 2014.
Read More.......
Philippines:
Green Core Geothermal Gets More Funding (Manila Standard Today)
Green Core Geothermal Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Energy Development Corp., has raised P8.5 billion from separate loan agreements with seven local banks.
EDC said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Monday the seven banks were Asia United Bank Corp., Bank of the Philippine Islands, BDO Unibank Inc., Development Bank of the Philippines, Land Bank of the Philippines, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., Robinsons Bank Corp. and Union Bank of the Philippines.
EDC said Green Core would use the proceeds from the loans to repay bonds maturing in June this year. BDO Capital & Investment Corp. acted as sole arranger of the P8.5-billion loan.
GCGI operates the 112.5-MW Tongonan geothermal plant in Leyte and the 192.5-MW Palinpinon geothermal plants in Negros Oriental.
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EDC said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Monday the seven banks were Asia United Bank Corp., Bank of the Philippine Islands, BDO Unibank Inc., Development Bank of the Philippines, Land Bank of the Philippines, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., Robinsons Bank Corp. and Union Bank of the Philippines.
EDC said Green Core would use the proceeds from the loans to repay bonds maturing in June this year. BDO Capital & Investment Corp. acted as sole arranger of the P8.5-billion loan.
GCGI operates the 112.5-MW Tongonan geothermal plant in Leyte and the 192.5-MW Palinpinon geothermal plants in Negros Oriental.
Read More.......
USA, California:
Energy VIPs Set to Address I.V. Renewable Energy Summit (News Release)
Jonathan M. Weisgall, a vice president for Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, leads a slate of renewable energy luminaries set to speak at the 8th Annual Imperial Valley Renewable Energy Summit that will be held March 11-13 at the Quechan Resort in Winterhaven, CA.
MidAmerican Geothermal, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Energy subsidiary MidAmerican Renewables has a 50 percent interest in 10 geothermal facilities in California’s Imperial Valley that have the capacity to produce up to 327 megawatts.
GRC Member Laura Garchar, Science & Technology Policy Fellow, Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), Department of Energy, will give an update on the DOE Geothermal Program on Thursday, March 12 at 2 pm.
The theme for this year’s summit is “Imperial Valley: Powering New Frontiers.” In addition to a slate of impressive speakers, the summit features a tour of area renewable energy facilities, a business exposition and plenty of networking opportunities.
The GRC will be in attendance. President Paul Brophy, Executive Director Steve Ponder and Director of Communications Ian Crawford will be representing the geothermal energy community at the summit. Come visit us at booth #15.
Read More......
MidAmerican Geothermal, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Energy subsidiary MidAmerican Renewables has a 50 percent interest in 10 geothermal facilities in California’s Imperial Valley that have the capacity to produce up to 327 megawatts.
GRC Member Laura Garchar, Science & Technology Policy Fellow, Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), Department of Energy, will give an update on the DOE Geothermal Program on Thursday, March 12 at 2 pm.
The theme for this year’s summit is “Imperial Valley: Powering New Frontiers.” In addition to a slate of impressive speakers, the summit features a tour of area renewable energy facilities, a business exposition and plenty of networking opportunities.
The GRC will be in attendance. President Paul Brophy, Executive Director Steve Ponder and Director of Communications Ian Crawford will be representing the geothermal energy community at the summit. Come visit us at booth #15.
Read More......
GRC Annual Meeting & GEA Geothermal Energy Expo:
The Geothermal Resources Council Announces 2015 Amateur Photo Contest (News Release)
The Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) is pleased to announce this year’s Amateur Photo Contest. The purpose of the contest is to showcase quality photography featuring geothermal energy around the world.
The winners will be announced at the GRC Annual Member Meeting and Awards Luncheon, the climax to the 39th GRC Annual Meeting & GEA Geothermal Energy Expo being held at the Peppermill Resort Spa, Reno, Nevada, USA from September 20-23. The theme for this year’s meeting is “Geothermal: Always On”.
The first place winner will receive $150, second place - $100, and third place - $75. Honorable Mention photos will receive certificates.
Photographs on any subject related to geothermal energy can be submitted such as geothermal energy production, EGS, Direct Use and geothermal heat pumps. These can include photos of well testing, drilling, operation of geothermal equipment, newly developed equipment, or plant operation, construction of a geothermal plant or plant site, and geological areas or surface manifestations (holding potential for geothermal exploration or development).
More information on the GRC Amateur Photo Contest, including a submission form, can be found on the GRC website [www.geothermal.org]. The deadline for submissions is August 14, 2015.
The 36th Amateur Photo Contest winners will be announced at the GRC Annual Meeting in Reno, Nevada, USA.
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| 1st Place 2014: Coil Tubing from 125 ft. Manlift by Jay Hepper, Cobb, California, USA. |
The winners will be announced at the GRC Annual Member Meeting and Awards Luncheon, the climax to the 39th GRC Annual Meeting & GEA Geothermal Energy Expo being held at the Peppermill Resort Spa, Reno, Nevada, USA from September 20-23. The theme for this year’s meeting is “Geothermal: Always On”.
The first place winner will receive $150, second place - $100, and third place - $75. Honorable Mention photos will receive certificates.
Photographs on any subject related to geothermal energy can be submitted such as geothermal energy production, EGS, Direct Use and geothermal heat pumps. These can include photos of well testing, drilling, operation of geothermal equipment, newly developed equipment, or plant operation, construction of a geothermal plant or plant site, and geological areas or surface manifestations (holding potential for geothermal exploration or development).
More information on the GRC Amateur Photo Contest, including a submission form, can be found on the GRC website [www.geothermal.org]. The deadline for submissions is August 14, 2015.
Friday, March 6, 2015
USA, Hawaii:
Hawaii May Go 100% Renewables by 2040 (Argus Media)
Committees in the Hawaii legislature this week voted to advance companion bills that would ramp up the state's renewable portfolio standard (RPS) to 100% by 2040.
Senate bill 715 and House bill 623 would raise Hawaii's RPS goals to 70% by 2030 and 100% by 2040. The existing RPS is scheduled to climb to 40% by 2030.
House Energy and Environment Committee chairman Chris Lee and his Senate counterpart, Mike Gabbard, both Democrats, are primary sponsors of the bills.
Nearly all of Hawaii's fuel is imported, given its remote location and limited local fossil-fuel resources. Its electricity prices are the highest of the US states by more than 10¢/kWh. The state has "excellent" wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, hydropower and ocean energy resources, the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) says. The U.S. Department of Energy has a partnership with the state to transform the island's fuel mix to reach 70% "clean" energy by 2030.
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Senate bill 715 and House bill 623 would raise Hawaii's RPS goals to 70% by 2030 and 100% by 2040. The existing RPS is scheduled to climb to 40% by 2030.
House Energy and Environment Committee chairman Chris Lee and his Senate counterpart, Mike Gabbard, both Democrats, are primary sponsors of the bills.
Nearly all of Hawaii's fuel is imported, given its remote location and limited local fossil-fuel resources. Its electricity prices are the highest of the US states by more than 10¢/kWh. The state has "excellent" wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, hydropower and ocean energy resources, the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) says. The U.S. Department of Energy has a partnership with the state to transform the island's fuel mix to reach 70% "clean" energy by 2030.
Read More.......
El Salvador:
This Small Central American Country Is A Renewable Energy Powerhouse (ensia)
When you think of places that rely on geothermal power for energy production, El Salvador probably isn’t the first location that comes to mind. But this tiny Central American country is a geothermal powerhouse.
According to the International Energy Agency, a whopping 22 percent of the electricity used in El Salvador comes from geothermal. The vast reserves of geothermal power buried beneath the country’s volcanoes power hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses.
The video (from 2013) above takes viewers on a behind-the-scenes tour of modern geothermal energy production in El Salvador. Along the way, we meet three energy experts who have trained at the United Nations University Geothermal Training Programme based in Iceland.
When you think of places that rely on geothermal power for energy production, El Salvador probably isn’t the first location that comes to mind. But this tiny Central American country is a geothermal powerhouse.
According to the International Energy Agency, a whopping 22 percent of the electricity used in El Salvador comes from geothermal. The vast reserves of geothermal power buried beneath the country’s volcanoes power hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses.
The video (from 2013) above takes viewers on a behind-the-scenes tour of modern geothermal energy production in El Salvador. Along the way, we meet three energy experts who have trained at the United Nations University Geothermal Training Programme based in Iceland.
USA, Alaska:
Ormat Terminates Mount Spurr Geothermal Venture (Petroleum News)
Ormat Technologies has given up its attempt to find a viable geothermal energy resource on the flanks of the Mount Spurr volcano in Southcentral Alaska. During a fourth quarter earnings call on Feb. 25 Doron Blachar, the company’s chief financial officer, said that the company had written off $15.4 million write-off of unsuccessful exploration activities related to exploration activities in the Wister site by the Salton Sea in California and in the Mount Spurr site in Alaska.
After conducting exploratory studies in those sites, management concluded that the geothermal resource as well as the commercial environment would not support commercial operations at the foreseeable future.
Read More........
Writes off exploration costs after failing to find viable geothermal source on the flanks of the Southcentral Alaska volcano
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| (Courtesy USGS) |
After conducting exploratory studies in those sites, management concluded that the geothermal resource as well as the commercial environment would not support commercial operations at the foreseeable future.
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Canada:
Takhini Hot Springs to Develop Geothermal Energy (CBC.ca)
Takhini Hot Pools is one of many sites being considered as part of a two-year project to study Yukon's fault lines and hot springs to examine their feasibility as sources of geothermal power.
Gary Umbrich, president of Takhini Hot Springs Ltd, the company that maintains the hot pools, says he'd like to look at power generation but needs to learn more about geothermal energy.
"That's one of the reasons we're so interested in this new study that's being proposed. We really think this could kick-start more geothermal work in Yukon," he says.
Takhini Hot Springs is investing in the project as a private partner alongside the Canadian Geothermal Energy Association, the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and the Yukon government.
"There has to be a little more research trying to locate the fault lines underground and determine where are the best places to drill," Umbrich says.
"We're probably looking at a kilometre deep and probably four or five million dollars to drill a well. So that's something the private sector's not going to do until they have a lot more information."
Read More.......
Owner says he'd like to look at power generation but needs to learn more about geothermal energy.
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| Gary Umbrich, president of Takhini Hot Springs Ltd, says he'd like to look at power generation from the hot springs but needs to learn more about geothermal energy. (CBC) |
Gary Umbrich, president of Takhini Hot Springs Ltd, the company that maintains the hot pools, says he'd like to look at power generation but needs to learn more about geothermal energy.
"That's one of the reasons we're so interested in this new study that's being proposed. We really think this could kick-start more geothermal work in Yukon," he says.
Takhini Hot Springs is investing in the project as a private partner alongside the Canadian Geothermal Energy Association, the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and the Yukon government.
"There has to be a little more research trying to locate the fault lines underground and determine where are the best places to drill," Umbrich says.
"We're probably looking at a kilometre deep and probably four or five million dollars to drill a well. So that's something the private sector's not going to do until they have a lot more information."
Read More.......
Canada:
Yukon Considers Geothermal Power from Hot Springs (CBC.ca)
The federal and Yukon government are investing in a search for geothermal energy. Yesterday funding of $168,000 was announced in Whitehorse.
In the video are Cathy Cottrell of the Yukon government's Energy branch, Yukon MP Ryan Leef and Yukon Energy Minister Scott Kent.
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The federal and Yukon government are investing in a search for geothermal energy. Yesterday funding of $168,000 was announced in Whitehorse.In the video are Cathy Cottrell of the Yukon government's Energy branch, Yukon MP Ryan Leef and Yukon Energy Minister Scott Kent.
Read More.......
Kenya:
KenGen Seeks USD 1.3bn to Back 2018 Geothermal Push (SeeNews Renewables)
Energy producer Kenya Electricity Generating Co, or KenGen, said on Friday it needs USD 1.3 billion (EUR 1.2bn) to finance five major geothermal projects by 2018.
KenGen CEO Albert Mugo said the projects include the rehabilitation of Olkaria 1, Olkaria 1 unit 6, Olkaria V and VI in southwest Kenya, which have a total capacity of 501 MW. Mugo told an investor briefing in Nairobi that about 50% of the funding needs have already been covered.
The energy company will raise USD 330 million through a rights issue in order to fund the production of additional electricity. Mugo said KenGen is now seeking an adviser for the deal.
The Rights Issue may kick off from August this year and not in June as earlier anticipated.
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KenGen CEO Albert Mugo said the projects include the rehabilitation of Olkaria 1, Olkaria 1 unit 6, Olkaria V and VI in southwest Kenya, which have a total capacity of 501 MW. Mugo told an investor briefing in Nairobi that about 50% of the funding needs have already been covered.
The energy company will raise USD 330 million through a rights issue in order to fund the production of additional electricity. Mugo said KenGen is now seeking an adviser for the deal.
The Rights Issue may kick off from August this year and not in June as earlier anticipated.
Read More........
United Kingdom:
Scotland Provides GBP 250,000 for Geothermal Potential Research (News Release)
Scottish energy minister Fergus Ewing today launched a GBP-250,000 (USD 380,000/EUR 346,000) fund to back research into Scotland's geothermal potential to meet the energy needs of local communities.
The maximum grant that each feasibility study can receive from the Geothermal Energy Challenge Fund is GBP 50,000. Applications will be accepted till the end of April.
The fund has been created at the advice of a geothermal energy expert group following a 2012/13 study which found that Scotland could have significant potential for geothermal energy in naturally occurring groundwater and in minewater.
Read More.......
The maximum grant that each feasibility study can receive from the Geothermal Energy Challenge Fund is GBP 50,000. Applications will be accepted till the end of April.
The fund has been created at the advice of a geothermal energy expert group following a 2012/13 study which found that Scotland could have significant potential for geothermal energy in naturally occurring groundwater and in minewater.
Read More.......
USA:
U.S. Geothermal Energy Electricity Generation Up 5% (Windpower Engineering)
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)’s latest “Electric Power Monthly” report, with data through the end of 2014, net electrical generation from non-hydro renewable energy sources (i.e., biomass, geothermal, solar, wind) increased by 10.9% over the previous year.
The contribution to net electrical generation by just solar more than doubled (102.8%), while wind grew by 8.3%, biomass by 5.7%, and geothermal by 5.4%.
In 2014 geothermal energy generated 16,628 Thousand Megawatthours up from 15,775 Thousand Megawatthours in 2013. EIA reports that geothermal accounted for 0.41% of net U.S. electrical generation in 2014.
Of the 1,443 Thousand Megawatthours generated by geothermal energy in December 2014, western U.S. states contributed:
The contribution to net electrical generation by just solar more than doubled (102.8%), while wind grew by 8.3%, biomass by 5.7%, and geothermal by 5.4%.
In 2014 geothermal energy generated 16,628 Thousand Megawatthours up from 15,775 Thousand Megawatthours in 2013. EIA reports that geothermal accounted for 0.41% of net U.S. electrical generation in 2014.
Of the 1,443 Thousand Megawatthours generated by geothermal energy in December 2014, western U.S. states contributed:
- California - 1,077
- Nevada - 273
- Utah - 48
- Hawaii - 20
- Oregon - 19
- Idaho - 4
Thursday, March 5, 2015
GRC Workshop/Fieldtrip to Yellowstone National Park:
GRC Yellowstone Workshop
For more up to date information and agenda, please visit the GRC Website. For any questions or concerns, please contact Anh Lay by email at alay@geothermal.org or by phone at (530) 758-2360 ext. 100.
June 22-26, 2015
The GRC has announced a mid-year GRC Workshop to Yellowstone National Park. The workshop will include a tour of the major geologic features of the park, the site of the greatest concentration of geothermal features in the world, and discussions of its volcanic history, geochemistry, and hydrology. Only 50 spaces are available. Don't be left out, sign up now!
Workshop Leaders: Duncan Foley, Gene Suemnicht, and Joe Moore.
The Cost of the workshop: $1,500 for GRC Members, $1,700 for Non-GRC Members.
The price will include bus transportation and 4 nights DOUBLE-OCCUPANCY accommodation in West Yellowstone. Also included are 4 lunches, one reception, trip materials and one dinner. NOT included are the cost of flights to/from, and accommodation in Salt Lake City on June 21st and 26th, and the cost of breakfasts each day and 3 dinners.
Highlights include:
~ GRC Workshop Registration Form
Workshop Leaders: Duncan Foley, Gene Suemnicht, and Joe Moore.
The Cost of the workshop: $1,500 for GRC Members, $1,700 for Non-GRC Members.
The price will include bus transportation and 4 nights DOUBLE-OCCUPANCY accommodation in West Yellowstone. Also included are 4 lunches, one reception, trip materials and one dinner. NOT included are the cost of flights to/from, and accommodation in Salt Lake City on June 21st and 26th, and the cost of breakfasts each day and 3 dinners.
Highlights include:
- The 13 MW net capacity U.S. Geothermal Raft River geothermal power plant and the Raft River Enhanced Geothermal System site where stimulation activities are being conducted.
- The geological and geothermal features of the Yellowstone super volcanic system.
- 300 plus geysers – more than half of all the geysers in the world.
- More than 10,000 thermal features comprised of brilliantly colored hot springs, bubbling mudpots, and steaming fumaroles.
- Grand Teton National Park
~ GRC Workshop Registration Form
For more up to date information and agenda, please visit the GRC Website. For any questions or concerns, please contact Anh Lay by email at alay@geothermal.org or by phone at (530) 758-2360 ext. 100.
Indonesia:
Indonesia Removes Bottlenecks to Geothermal Energy Investment (Energy Sector Management Assistance Program)
Indonesia’s has what is considered to be the largest potential for geothermal energy in the world, a blessing for a country determined to reduce its high rate of dependence on polluting fossil fuels. But private investment has been slow, held back by the lack of a strong energy policy framework, legal uncertainties, and overlapping jurisdictions, both within the central government and between Jakarta and local authorities.
A new Geothermal Law, passed by Indonesia’s House of Representatives in September 2014, is expected to remove many of these bottlenecks. The law followed from a ministerial regulation on geothermal pricing and policy that was the result of many months of work between Indonesia’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR) and a joint World Bank – Asian Development Bank team.
Read More........
A new Geothermal Law, passed by Indonesia’s House of Representatives in September 2014, is expected to remove many of these bottlenecks. The law followed from a ministerial regulation on geothermal pricing and policy that was the result of many months of work between Indonesia’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR) and a joint World Bank – Asian Development Bank team.
Read More........
Canada:
Government of Canada Supports Yukon Geothermal Energy Study (News Release)
Yukon MP, Ryan Leef, on behalf of, Minister Aglukkaq has announced funding for research and development into potential renewable sources of natural geothermal energy in Yukon. The Government of Yukon, Department of Energy, Mines and Resources' Energy Branch will work in cooperation with the Yukon Geological Survey and the Canadian Geothermal Energy Association to develop maps and reports that will identify sources of renewable energy. This project will contribute to economic development and energy security in the territory.
In addition to CanNor's funding of $126,000 over two years, the Government of Yukon is investing up to $18,000, and the Canadian Geothermal Energy Association (CanGEA) is investing $13,150. With contributions from other funders, a total of $168,000 is being invested in this project. Newly developed maps will provide geological, geophysical, and environmental information to identify and evaluate geothermal energy potential in Yukon. Takhini Hot Springs is an example of a project in Yukon that successfully uses geothermal energy for heat and power and will be able to provide its existing data to help with the creation of this project.
Read More.......
In addition to CanNor's funding of $126,000 over two years, the Government of Yukon is investing up to $18,000, and the Canadian Geothermal Energy Association (CanGEA) is investing $13,150. With contributions from other funders, a total of $168,000 is being invested in this project. Newly developed maps will provide geological, geophysical, and environmental information to identify and evaluate geothermal energy potential in Yukon. Takhini Hot Springs is an example of a project in Yukon that successfully uses geothermal energy for heat and power and will be able to provide its existing data to help with the creation of this project.
Read More.......
Europe:
Mijnwater B.V. is Winner of the European Geothermal Innovation Award 2015 (News Release)
The Award for outstanding achievements in the field of geothermal innovation, the “European Geothermal Innovation Award 2015" has gone to Mijn Water B.V. (Netherlands), for their intelligent hybrid energy infrastructure for sustainable heating and cooling, based on geothermal buffers (e.g. abandoned mines).
Louis Hiddes, managing director of Mijnwater B.V. received the award during the GEOTHERM congress of the European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC) in Offenburg (Germany).
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Louis Hiddes, managing director of Mijnwater B.V. received the award during the GEOTHERM congress of the European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC) in Offenburg (Germany).
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USA, Washington D.C.:
World’s Highest LEED-Scoring School is Powered by D.C.'s Largest Geothermal System (Inhabitat)
Washington, D.C.’s Dunbar High School recently earned LEED Platinum certification with a score of 91 points out of a 100—making the 280,000-square-foot building the highest-scoring school in the world certified under USGBC’s LEED for Schools-New Construction system.
Designed by Perkins Eastman and Moody Nolan, the high-performance school incorporates many sustainable technologies, including D.C.’s largest geothermal energy system.
Read More........
Designed by Perkins Eastman and Moody Nolan, the high-performance school incorporates many sustainable technologies, including D.C.’s largest geothermal energy system.
Read More........
USA, Hawaii:
Video: Hawai‘i Electric Light Company Chooses Ormat to Build New 25 MW Geothermal Power Plant (Big Island Video News)
(Video 16:54 Minutes)
The Hawai‘i Electric Light Company has made its choice for the company that will expand geothermal energy on Hawaii Island.
Israel-based Ormat Industries Ltd, the owner of Puna Geothermal Venture operating in Pohoiki, has been selected to provide an additional 25 MW of geothermal energy to the Big Island grid. PGV already has an existing contract with HELCO to produce 38 MW.
Read More.......
Two years after HELCO’S RFP, the utility has finally made its decision. This video report examines the time-line of events leading up to HELCO's choice to tap Ormat for another 25 MW of geothermal energy on Hawaii Island.
The Hawai‘i Electric Light Company has made its choice for the company that will expand geothermal energy on Hawaii Island.
Israel-based Ormat Industries Ltd, the owner of Puna Geothermal Venture operating in Pohoiki, has been selected to provide an additional 25 MW of geothermal energy to the Big Island grid. PGV already has an existing contract with HELCO to produce 38 MW.
Read More.......
Australia:
"Waltzing Matilda" Town Powers Ahead With Geothermal Project (The North West Star)
Winton is blazing a new trail on the alternative energy front by announcing plans to power its town with geothermal technology.
Winton Shire Mayor Butch Lenton said the project has the potential to save the local community up to $15 million in energy consumption a year.
Winton Council has appointed LGIS to design a geothermal energy plant which will power all of Winton’s key council buildings and has the potential to power the entire town.
Cr Lenton said geothermal energy technology had existed for more than a century but this initiative was the first time in Australia that the proven form of energy production had been adopted to deliver such wide-ranging community outcomes.
He said the plant had a payback period of less than seven years with the savings delivering much needed dollars for community projects.
Best known as the home of Waltzing Matilda, Winton is the place that A B (Banjo) Paterson wrote the Australian national song in 1895, whilst visiting Dagworth Station. Legend has it that the first public performance of Waltzing Matilda happened at Winton’s North Gregory Hotel on 6th April, 1895.
Read More.......
Winton Shire Mayor Butch Lenton said the project has the potential to save the local community up to $15 million in energy consumption a year.
Winton Council has appointed LGIS to design a geothermal energy plant which will power all of Winton’s key council buildings and has the potential to power the entire town.
Cr Lenton said geothermal energy technology had existed for more than a century but this initiative was the first time in Australia that the proven form of energy production had been adopted to deliver such wide-ranging community outcomes.
He said the plant had a payback period of less than seven years with the savings delivering much needed dollars for community projects.
Best known as the home of Waltzing Matilda, Winton is the place that A B (Banjo) Paterson wrote the Australian national song in 1895, whilst visiting Dagworth Station. Legend has it that the first public performance of Waltzing Matilda happened at Winton’s North Gregory Hotel on 6th April, 1895.
Read More.......
Netherlands:
First Dutch Orange Bell Peppers Available - Thanks to Geothermal Heat! (FreshPlaza)
The first orange bell peppers have been harvested at Alex Zwinkels of Zwingrow. "The first bell peppers are looking good," they report. "Firm fruit with a beautiful bright colour, a lovely sweet flavour and a very high content of vitamin C."
Zwingrow has growing locations in Naaldwijk, Honselersdijk and Poeldijk, where they grow orange bell peppers in a very sustainable manner. They are a member of Green Well Westland, which supplies geothermal waters from 3 km depth.
Read More.......
Zwingrow has growing locations in Naaldwijk, Honselersdijk and Poeldijk, where they grow orange bell peppers in a very sustainable manner. They are a member of Green Well Westland, which supplies geothermal waters from 3 km depth.
Read More.......
USA:
DOE Announces Rescheduled Webinar on the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s FY2016 Budget Request (DOE/EERE)
The Energy Department’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy has rescheduled the last in a series of three live webinars on our Fiscal Year 2016 budget request.
Due to inclement weather in the Washington metropolitan area, it will now be presented on Thursday, March 12, from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.
Deputy Assistant Secretary Doug Hollett late manager of the Geothermal Technologies Office, will lead the presentation of our budget proposal for the renewable power sector with technology office directors providing in-depth presentations, including Solar, Geothermal, and Wind & Water technology office requests. The webinar will also provide an opportunity for participants to ask questions.
Register.......
Thursday, March 12, from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time
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| Deputy Assistant Secretary Doug Hollett at the 2014 GRC Annual Meeting |
Due to inclement weather in the Washington metropolitan area, it will now be presented on Thursday, March 12, from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.
Deputy Assistant Secretary Doug Hollett late manager of the Geothermal Technologies Office, will lead the presentation of our budget proposal for the renewable power sector with technology office directors providing in-depth presentations, including Solar, Geothermal, and Wind & Water technology office requests. The webinar will also provide an opportunity for participants to ask questions.
Register.......
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
USA, California:
Lecture: Geothermal Energy: How Hard Can it Be? (CSULB CNSM Fellows)
Speaker: Matthew Becker, Professor of Geological Sciences and the Bert Conrey Endowed Chair in Hydrogeology at California State University, Long Beach
We live on a trillion cubic kilometers of molten rock. Geothermal energy seems like a no-brainer: sink some deep wells, circulate hot water, and drive turbines. How hard can it be? Really hard, as it turns out. Now that most of the natural geothermal flow systems have been tapped, we need to make new systems using “enhanced geothermal methods”. This will take an unprecedented collaboration of engineers and geologists, but the potential is enormous. By some estimates, enhanced geothermal energy could meet the world’s current energy needs for millennia.
We will discuss some of the technology advances that will be needed to get there and what we are doing at CSULB. Our efforts are aimed at understanding the “geologic plumbing” of geothermal flow systems and the development of characterization tools to predict help good systems and fix poor ones.
Register.........
Wednesday, March 18, 2015 from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM (PDT), The Chartroom at California State University, Long Beach, CA
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| Speaker: Matthew Becker |
We live on a trillion cubic kilometers of molten rock. Geothermal energy seems like a no-brainer: sink some deep wells, circulate hot water, and drive turbines. How hard can it be? Really hard, as it turns out. Now that most of the natural geothermal flow systems have been tapped, we need to make new systems using “enhanced geothermal methods”. This will take an unprecedented collaboration of engineers and geologists, but the potential is enormous. By some estimates, enhanced geothermal energy could meet the world’s current energy needs for millennia.
We will discuss some of the technology advances that will be needed to get there and what we are doing at CSULB. Our efforts are aimed at understanding the “geologic plumbing” of geothermal flow systems and the development of characterization tools to predict help good systems and fix poor ones.
Register.........
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
USA:
Find Energy Incentives Quicker and Easier with New DSIRE Website (DOE/EERE)
All across the United States, homeowners and businesses are saving money by installing technologies that conserve energy and cut carbon pollution. Upgrades such as new, energy-saving appliances and rooftop photovoltaic systems also help lower the nation’s overall energy usage and reduce environmental impacts like harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
To empower more Americans to realize the benefits of clean energy technologies and solutions, government agencies offer several financial incentive programs that can reduce or defray installation or purchase costs. In an effort to help citizens quickly find these opportunities the Energy Department established the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) 20 years ago. The database is operated by the N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center at North Carolina State University.
Today, the Energy Department and N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center launched a new version of DSIRE that makes it even easier for citizens to find information.
To empower more Americans to realize the benefits of clean energy technologies and solutions, government agencies offer several financial incentive programs that can reduce or defray installation or purchase costs. In an effort to help citizens quickly find these opportunities the Energy Department established the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) 20 years ago. The database is operated by the N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center at North Carolina State University.
USA:
April 22-23, 2015, The Westin, Washington, D.C. City Center, Washington, D.C.
Set the Policy Agenda for Renewable Energy
Join the renewable energy industry at American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE)'s National Renewable Energy Policy Forum as it mobilizes key policymakers and federal and state stakeholders to deliberate, develop, and advance the critical policy priorities that will motivate the President, the new Congress, state leaders, and the emerging slate of 2016 Presidential candidates.
This year’s topics include:
- Energy Sector Transformation – Lead, Follow or Move Out of the Way
- Will Congress Act? Tax Reform, Extension or Bust
- Stop, Start – the Path to Policy Certainty and Lowering Clean Transportation Costs
- Outside the Beltway – Successes and Obstacles in Red, Blue and Purple States
USA:
5th Defense Renewable Energy Summit
7-8 April , 2015, Hilton
Get the latest on:
More information........
7-8 April , 2015, Hilton Arlington , Arlington , Va
U.S. Government & DoD Decision-Makers to Share Their Wants, Needs & Key Requirements for Procuring 20% of Energy Demand from Renewable Resources by 2020!
Get the latest on:
- Utilities’ Perspectives on Partnering with the DoD and Federal Government to Increase Grid Resiliency and Base Energy Security
- Leading Developers’ and System Integrators’ Lessons Learned in Pursuing Defense and Federal Renewable Energy Projects
- Financiers’ Perspectives on Monetizing Energy Resiliency and Improving the Finaceability of Projects
More information........
Global:
Geothermal Resources Council
Your trusted source for geothermal information
Your trusted source for geothermal information
- Last Call For Roster Ads - Artwork & Yellow Page Listings Due This Friday
- 2015 GRC Annual Meeting Call For Papers - Deadline: April 10, 2015
The Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) invites you to present your latest technical work in geothermal research, exploration, development and utilization at the GRC's 39th Annual Meeting, September 20 - 23, 2015 at the Peppermill Resort in Reno, Nevada. Our theme this year is "Geothermal: Always On." Read more........
- GRC Student Scholarships - Deadline for applications: May 4, 2015
- GRC Yellowstone Workshop - June 22-26, 2015
St. Lucia:
Saint Lucia Set to Host Novel Geothermal Donors Conference (St. Lucia Times)
The Government of Saint Lucia (GOSL), through the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Energy, Science and Technology is set to host a major Donors Conference on financing the Exploratory Drilling Phase of the Geothermal Development Project on Tuesday March 3 and Wednesday 4, 2015.
The two day exercise seeks to design a realistic roadmap for financing the project`s second phase, in a manner that protects the Government and People of Saint Lucia from overexposure in the financing risks involved in this very costly project.
This novel approach aims to raise an estimated US$20 - US$30 million, initially, which will be required for the exploratory drilling.
Read More.......
The two day exercise seeks to design a realistic roadmap for financing the project`s second phase, in a manner that protects the Government and People of Saint Lucia from overexposure in the financing risks involved in this very costly project.
This novel approach aims to raise an estimated US$20 - US$30 million, initially, which will be required for the exploratory drilling.
Read More.......
United Kingdom:
Geothermal Heat Pumps to be Introduced to Glasgow Subway Stations (Common Space)
New geothermal heat pumps are to be introduced at two Glasgow subway stations to reduce heating and maintenance costs on the underground train system, and if successful they could be rolled out to all 18 subway stations.
The subway network is built in Glasgow’s old Victorian tunnels, and because the train lines intersect two major rivers, it is subject to significant leakage.
The waste water can be turned into energy-efficient heat, and the pump technology is already used for heating homes.
Some experts have claimed as much as 40 per cent of Glasgow’s energy could be provided from geothermal heating using waste water from old mineshafts.
The study is expected to deliver its first results by the end of May, and SPT Chief Executive Gordon Maclennan said: “The potential of exploiting waste water in Subway tunnels to turn it in to power is very exciting.”
Read More.......
The subway network is built in Glasgow’s old Victorian tunnels, and because the train lines intersect two major rivers, it is subject to significant leakage.
The waste water can be turned into energy-efficient heat, and the pump technology is already used for heating homes.
Some experts have claimed as much as 40 per cent of Glasgow’s energy could be provided from geothermal heating using waste water from old mineshafts.
The study is expected to deliver its first results by the end of May, and SPT Chief Executive Gordon Maclennan said: “The potential of exploiting waste water in Subway tunnels to turn it in to power is very exciting.”
Read More.......
United Kingdom:
Geothermal Energy: a Renewable, Low Carbon Resource for the UK (Adjacent Government - February 2015)
In simple terms ‘geothermal energy is the energy stored in the form of heat beneath the earth’s surface’. Most people will associate it with steam emanating from mineral encrusted fumaroles, but even in non-volcanic regions such as the UK there is great potential for geothermal to contribute to our energy mix. It is carbon free, sustainable and is not subject to intermittent supply as are some renewables, e.g. solar, wind and wave.
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Jon Busby, Team Leader Renewables, Energy Storage and Clean Coal at the British Geological Survey details the benefits of deep geothermal heat sources in the UK…
In simple terms ‘geothermal energy is the energy stored in the form of heat beneath the earth’s surface’. Most people will associate it with steam emanating from mineral encrusted fumaroles, but even in non-volcanic regions such as the UK there is great potential for geothermal to contribute to our energy mix. It is carbon free, sustainable and is not subject to intermittent supply as are some renewables, e.g. solar, wind and wave.
Read More........
Canada:
Turn Up the Heat BC: Geothermal 101 - A Developer's Perspective (CanGEA)
Early Bird Rate: $75; After March 9: $100; Member Price: $75
Geothermal energy is delivering clean, base-load and low cost electricity in 25 countries as well as commercial heating in 70 countries... And we think BC should be benefitting too! While not yet fully utilized, geothermal energy is an important part of Canada’s energy future, creating new investment and jobs in Canadian communities while also contributing to a cleaner environment for future generations.
Join Chief Geologist of Borealis GeoPower, Craig Dunn, as we explore the Canadian energy industry’s efforts to develop geothermal energy. More guest speakers to be announced. Craig will discuss his company's ground-breaking field work completed this past summer that proved new exploration techniques from other industries to be valuable. Anders Kruus, a financial specialist will also be presenting.
More information........ Click here to register!
Thursday, March 26, 2015, 11:30AM-1:30PM, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Geothermal energy is delivering clean, base-load and low cost electricity in 25 countries as well as commercial heating in 70 countries... And we think BC should be benefitting too! While not yet fully utilized, geothermal energy is an important part of Canada’s energy future, creating new investment and jobs in Canadian communities while also contributing to a cleaner environment for future generations.
Join Chief Geologist of Borealis GeoPower, Craig Dunn, as we explore the Canadian energy industry’s efforts to develop geothermal energy. More guest speakers to be announced. Craig will discuss his company's ground-breaking field work completed this past summer that proved new exploration techniques from other industries to be valuable. Anders Kruus, a financial specialist will also be presenting.
More information........ Click here to register!
Kenya:
Geothermal Power to Reduce Cost of Living (Daily Nation)
Power generation in Kenya has changed dramatically with the recent commissioning of the 280 MW geothermal plant in Olkaria, Naivasha.
The cost of electricity has been falling over the past six months and is set to stabilize following the commissioning of the 140 MW Olkaria I Units 4 and 5, the last phase of the ambitious project. Every month, the plant contributes over 185 million kWh of renewable and stable electricity to the national grid. This is because geothermal energy generation does not fluctuate with changing weather.
We hope that with reduced energy charges, the cost of living will come down as manufacturers and industrialists pass on the benefits of cheaper production to consumers.
Read More.......
By Albert Mugo, CEO of KenGen
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| Geothermal power production at Olkaria in Naivasha, Nakuru County. |
The cost of electricity has been falling over the past six months and is set to stabilize following the commissioning of the 140 MW Olkaria I Units 4 and 5, the last phase of the ambitious project. Every month, the plant contributes over 185 million kWh of renewable and stable electricity to the national grid. This is because geothermal energy generation does not fluctuate with changing weather.
We hope that with reduced energy charges, the cost of living will come down as manufacturers and industrialists pass on the benefits of cheaper production to consumers.
Read More.......
Technology:
Can Carbon Dioxide Replace Steam to Generate Power? (Scientific American)
Much has changed in the modern electric power plant since Thomas Edison's era, but the parts that actually turn heat into electrons haven't changed since his eureka moments.
Whether burning coal, concentrating sunlight or splitting atoms, most thermal power plants use the energy for the same thing: heating water into steam to drive a turbine. Steam-based generation produces 80 percent of the world's electricity.
After more than a century of incremental improvements in the steam cycle, engineers have plucked most of the low-hanging fruit and are chasing diminishing returns, spending millions of dollars for every percentage point of efficiency improvement. These upgrades propagate to other steps in electricity production, allowing power plants to extract more work for a given unit of fuel.
Now engineers are looking into replacing steam with supercritical carbon dioxide, a technique that could unlock up to 50 percent greater thermal efficiency using a smaller, cheaper turbine.
Read More........
 |
| Credit: Michael Spiller/Flickr |
Whether burning coal, concentrating sunlight or splitting atoms, most thermal power plants use the energy for the same thing: heating water into steam to drive a turbine. Steam-based generation produces 80 percent of the world's electricity.
After more than a century of incremental improvements in the steam cycle, engineers have plucked most of the low-hanging fruit and are chasing diminishing returns, spending millions of dollars for every percentage point of efficiency improvement. These upgrades propagate to other steps in electricity production, allowing power plants to extract more work for a given unit of fuel.
Now engineers are looking into replacing steam with supercritical carbon dioxide, a technique that could unlock up to 50 percent greater thermal efficiency using a smaller, cheaper turbine.
Read More........
St. Lucia:
Falling Oil Prices Won’t Derail St. Lucia’s Push for Geothermal Energy (Caribbean Life)
James Fletcher, St. Lucia’s Minister of Public Service, Sustainable Development, Energy, Science and Technology, tells IPS that he agrees that the region needs to accelerate its transition toward renewable energy, but is not certain whether lower fuel prices is really reason to exhale.
“I’m not sure about the breathing space. I think what it does, however, show is that this fuel price game is not one we want to be playing,” Fletcher tells IPS.
Fletcher tells IPS wind and solar PV are intermittent sources of energy “and we really can’t complete a transition away from fossil fuel based on intermittent sources, unless we invest heavily in storage, which we really don’t have the capacity to do right now.”
St. Lucia has received financial and technical support from the government of New Zealand, SIDS-DOCK, and the Global Environmental Facility to conduct the initial stage of exploration, which will start soon, Fletcher says. LUCELEC, the state-owned power company in St. Lucia, will purchase the electricity from the power plant developer, Ormat of Israel, and resell it to consumers.
Fletcher tells IPS that the government is pleased with the pace of the negotiations but notes that developing geothermal potential takes time. “But at least it puts us on track to developing what we believe is as much as 30 megawatts of geothermal energy in Soufriere,” he says.
Read More........
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| James Fletcher, St. Lucia’s Minister of Public Service, Sustainable Development, Energy, Science and Technology |
“I’m not sure about the breathing space. I think what it does, however, show is that this fuel price game is not one we want to be playing,” Fletcher tells IPS.
Fletcher tells IPS wind and solar PV are intermittent sources of energy “and we really can’t complete a transition away from fossil fuel based on intermittent sources, unless we invest heavily in storage, which we really don’t have the capacity to do right now.”
St. Lucia has received financial and technical support from the government of New Zealand, SIDS-DOCK, and the Global Environmental Facility to conduct the initial stage of exploration, which will start soon, Fletcher says. LUCELEC, the state-owned power company in St. Lucia, will purchase the electricity from the power plant developer, Ormat of Israel, and resell it to consumers.
Fletcher tells IPS that the government is pleased with the pace of the negotiations but notes that developing geothermal potential takes time. “But at least it puts us on track to developing what we believe is as much as 30 megawatts of geothermal energy in Soufriere,” he says.
Read More........
Technology:
How Volcanoes Could Help Power the Planet—But Barely Do (National Geographic)
A clean alternative to fossil fuels, geothermal has potential far beyond Indonesia. It could help tame global warming by producing copious amounts of renewable energy. The United Nations estimates global reserves at about 200 gigawatts—double the total capacity of all U.S. nuclear power plants. Yet despite decades of effort, only 6.5 percent of that potential has been tapped.
Indonesia now produces the third largest amount of geothermal power, after the U.S. and the Philippines. Still, it's tapping less than 5 percent of its potential 29-gigawatt capacity.
"Its resources are so startlingly good," says GRC President Paul Brophy, president of EGS Inc., a California-based firm that recently did consulting work for Indonesia's government on the geothermal industry.
The country now aims to triple geothermal output from 1.4 to 4.9 gigawatts by 2019 and to hit 10 gigawatts by 2025 so it's trying to fast-track projects.
Read More........
The Earth's heat offers a clean and steady source of electricity, though it doesn't come cheap
Indonesia now produces the third largest amount of geothermal power, after the U.S. and the Philippines. Still, it's tapping less than 5 percent of its potential 29-gigawatt capacity.
"Its resources are so startlingly good," says GRC President Paul Brophy, president of EGS Inc., a California-based firm that recently did consulting work for Indonesia's government on the geothermal industry.
The country now aims to triple geothermal output from 1.4 to 4.9 gigawatts by 2019 and to hit 10 gigawatts by 2025 so it's trying to fast-track projects.
Read More........
USA, California:
TOUGH Symposium 2015 (LBNL)
A symposium on applications and enhancements to the TOUGH codes for multiphase fluid, heat, and chemical transport will be held at LBNL. The TOUGH Symposium 2015 consists of oral and poster presentations, with proceedings published online, and includes a welcome reception and banquet dinner featuring an invited talk. Short Courses on select TOUGH codes will be offered immediately preceding and following the Symposium. Selected papers will be submitted for inclusion in special issues of major scientific journals.
Symposium Purpose
The purpose of the symposium is to bring together users of the TOUGH family of codes (which includes TOUGH2, iTOUGH2, TMVOC, TOUGHREACT, TOUGH-FLAC, TOUGH+, TOUGH2-MP, and more) for an open exchange on applications and recent code enhancements. Papers are solicited in all areas of TOUGH applications - abstract submission is open and will close on Friday, April 17, 2015.
More information........
September 28–30, 2015, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, California
Symposium Purpose
The purpose of the symposium is to bring together users of the TOUGH family of codes (which includes TOUGH2, iTOUGH2, TMVOC, TOUGHREACT, TOUGH-FLAC, TOUGH+, TOUGH2-MP, and more) for an open exchange on applications and recent code enhancements. Papers are solicited in all areas of TOUGH applications - abstract submission is open and will close on Friday, April 17, 2015.
More information........
Monday, March 2, 2015
USA, Hawaii:
Hawaiʻi Geothermal Data Compiled for First Time (University of Hawaiʻi)
The Hawaiʻi Institute for Geophysics and Planetology (HIGP) at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa have launched a website—Hawaiʻi Groundwater and Geothermal Resources Center (HGGRC)—which consolidates existing information and introduces an abundance of new data related to these natural resources.
HIGP researchers, Nicole Lautze and Donald Thomas, led the creation of this resource center to organize and publicly disseminate data on Hawaiʻi’s groundwater and geothermal resources from private and public agencies and organizations.
The virtual center features:
HIGP researchers, Nicole Lautze and Donald Thomas, led the creation of this resource center to organize and publicly disseminate data on Hawaiʻi’s groundwater and geothermal resources from private and public agencies and organizations.
The virtual center features:
- A geothermal collection containing more than 1,000 geothermal-relevant documents.
- The Hawaiʻi State Water Wells data for the water wells in Hawaiʻi (e.g. name, location, type and depth) via an interactive map, with downloadable water well files.
- Historical photographs, slides and newspaper articles.
- Coming soon: A probability map which indicates the likelihood of encountering a subsurface geothermal resource compiled from the Department of Energy’s Play Fairway project.
- Coming soon: Humuʻulu Groundwater Research project daily updates, available when the drilling commences on the second 2 km deep hole in the saddle region of the island of Hawaiʻi.
USA:
620 MW of Global Geothermal Power Added in 2014 - GEA
A new report from the Geothermal Energy Association (GEA), released to attendees of GEA’s State of the Geothermal Industry Briefing last week, the “2015 Annual U.S. & Global Geothermal Power Production Report,” found the industry brought online the most capacity in any year of the past two decades. The Global geothermal market added 21 new utility scale power plants in 2014 with a total of about 620 MW of power capacity. The full report will be released to the public on GEA’s website on Thursday.
“These power plants will generate electricity for 30 to 50 years providing firm and flexible power, with little to no emissions, and deliver substantial economic benefit in the form of jobs and property taxes to the communities in which they operate,” said Karl Gawell, GEA’s Executive Director.
Overall, the global geothermal industry grew at about 5% for the third year in a row reaching 12.8 GW. While only six countries saw projects completed, nearly 80 had projects in the pipeline giving a positive outlook for future growth. “If all countries reach their announced geothermal power goals the global industry could reach 27-30 GW by the early 2030s,” according to Ben Matek, GEA’s Industry Analyst & Research Projects Manager.
2015 Annual U.S. & Global Geothermal Power Production Report (PDF)
“These power plants will generate electricity for 30 to 50 years providing firm and flexible power, with little to no emissions, and deliver substantial economic benefit in the form of jobs and property taxes to the communities in which they operate,” said Karl Gawell, GEA’s Executive Director.
Overall, the global geothermal industry grew at about 5% for the third year in a row reaching 12.8 GW. While only six countries saw projects completed, nearly 80 had projects in the pipeline giving a positive outlook for future growth. “If all countries reach their announced geothermal power goals the global industry could reach 27-30 GW by the early 2030s,” according to Ben Matek, GEA’s Industry Analyst & Research Projects Manager.
2015 Annual U.S. & Global Geothermal Power Production Report (PDF)
Turkey:
Public Finance and Private Exploration in Geothermal: Gümüşköy Case Study, Turkey (Climate Policy Initiative)
This case study analyses the Gümüsköy Geothermal Power Plant (GPP) to help policymakers and donors understand which financing instruments and public private financing packages can enable fast and cost-effective deployment of geothermal energy. It is one of a series of studies carried out on behalf of the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) looking at the role of public finance in driving geothermal deployment.
The Gümüşköy GPP is the first case where the private sector financed exploration of an unproven field in Turkey.
Read More........
The 13.2 MW project developed by BM Holding, a Turkish infrastructure company, was commissioned in 2013.
The Gümüşköy GPP is the first case where the private sector financed exploration of an unproven field in Turkey.
Read More........
GRC Workshop/Fieldtrip to Yellowstone National Park:
Yellowstone Park's Boiling River Running Warmer (KREM.com)
The temperature of the Boiling River in Yellowstone National Park has been increasing slightly since last August.
In August, the temperature of the thermally heated water at the popular swimming hole north of Mammoth Hot Springs was approximately 134 degrees Fahrenheit. Over the past seven days, the temperature has ranged from about 136.5 to 139.5 degrees.
Park geologist Henry Heasler said that he and his staff are not absolutely certain what is going on. One theory is cold water flowing into the Boiling River through underground sinkholes in the underlying travertine is being blocked or diverted somehow. Another theory could be that less cold water from the Gardner River is diluting the Boiling River water where the two rivers meet.
The GRC is hosting a Workshop/Fieldtrip to Yellowstone National Park, June 22-26. The workshop will include a tour of the major geologic features of the Park, the site of the greatest concentration of geothermal features in the world, and discussions of its volcanic history, geochemistry, and hydrology.
In August, the temperature of the thermally heated water at the popular swimming hole north of Mammoth Hot Springs was approximately 134 degrees Fahrenheit. Over the past seven days, the temperature has ranged from about 136.5 to 139.5 degrees.
Park geologist Henry Heasler said that he and his staff are not absolutely certain what is going on. One theory is cold water flowing into the Boiling River through underground sinkholes in the underlying travertine is being blocked or diverted somehow. Another theory could be that less cold water from the Gardner River is diluting the Boiling River water where the two rivers meet.
The GRC is hosting a Workshop/Fieldtrip to Yellowstone National Park, June 22-26. The workshop will include a tour of the major geologic features of the Park, the site of the greatest concentration of geothermal features in the world, and discussions of its volcanic history, geochemistry, and hydrology.
Climate Change:
Scientists Confirm ‘Critical Link’ between CO2 Emissions and Warming (RTCC)
Government scientists in the US say they have directly observed for the first time the greenhouse effect in action, while monitoring the way carbon dioxide in the Earth’s atmosphere absorbed increasing amounts of thermal radiation from the surface.
Their measurements, taken over a period of 11 years in Alaska and Oklahoma, confirm predictions made more than 100 years ago, and repeatedly examined: there is a greenhouse effect, and the greenhouse gas that most helps the world warm is carbon dioxide.
They predict that unless the world makes a switch from coal, oil and natural gas to solar, wind, water and wave energy, or biofuels, or nuclear or geothermal power sources, global average temperatures will go on rising inexorably.
Read More........
High-precision field instruments in the US have provided the first real-time “action shots” of the increasing impact of CO2
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| (Pic: Jonathan Gero/Space Science and Engineering Centre) |
Their measurements, taken over a period of 11 years in Alaska and Oklahoma, confirm predictions made more than 100 years ago, and repeatedly examined: there is a greenhouse effect, and the greenhouse gas that most helps the world warm is carbon dioxide.
They predict that unless the world makes a switch from coal, oil and natural gas to solar, wind, water and wave energy, or biofuels, or nuclear or geothermal power sources, global average temperatures will go on rising inexorably.
Read More........
Uganda:
Geothermal Resources in Uganda (Lexology)
In order to reduce the overdependence on hydropower and increase the energy mix, other sources of energy generation are being planned. Uganda is part of the East African Rift System and geothermal exploration has been ongoing since 1993. There are three main exploration areas – Katwe, Buranga and Kibiro – which are located close to the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Geothermal resources have been estimated as approximately 450 MW.
The GoU has been assisted in capacity building by KenGen and Kenya’s Geothermal Development Company, and has obtained support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency. In order to fast track the process for potential investors in geothermal, the GoU is establishing a separate geothermal resources department, with geothermal issues transferred to this department from the current Geological Survey and Mines Department. This separation replicates the process which is currently happening in Tanzania and highlights a separation required to ensure that geothermal is not unnecessarily overregulated due to being caught between mining and energy departments. As with other East African countries, projects in Uganda are eligible for grants from the Geothermal Risk Mitigation Facility which has been set up by the African Union, the EU Development Fund for Africa and the German Development Agency in cooperation with KfW.
In early 2013 UETCL entered into a PPA with a project company formed by the joint venture of AAE Systems Inc, a US firm, with local investors, in respect of an up to 200 MW geothermal power project in the Katwe exploration area. Other overseas investors have also been awarded geothermal licences (with a three year exploration period pursuant to the current Mining Act), but so far these have not advanced into the development stage.
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| (Courtesy CIA.gov) |
The GoU has been assisted in capacity building by KenGen and Kenya’s Geothermal Development Company, and has obtained support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency. In order to fast track the process for potential investors in geothermal, the GoU is establishing a separate geothermal resources department, with geothermal issues transferred to this department from the current Geological Survey and Mines Department. This separation replicates the process which is currently happening in Tanzania and highlights a separation required to ensure that geothermal is not unnecessarily overregulated due to being caught between mining and energy departments. As with other East African countries, projects in Uganda are eligible for grants from the Geothermal Risk Mitigation Facility which has been set up by the African Union, the EU Development Fund for Africa and the German Development Agency in cooperation with KfW.
In early 2013 UETCL entered into a PPA with a project company formed by the joint venture of AAE Systems Inc, a US firm, with local investors, in respect of an up to 200 MW geothermal power project in the Katwe exploration area. Other overseas investors have also been awarded geothermal licences (with a three year exploration period pursuant to the current Mining Act), but so far these have not advanced into the development stage.
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Education:
New Online Training Courses Help Agencies Understand Renewable Tech (DOE/EERE)
The Department of Energy is working with the federal government’s agencies to help them lead by example when it comes to using renewable energy technologies that cut carbon emissions and save money. Our Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) provides assistance and training to help everyone make smart energy choices that support national energy goals.
Renewable Energy Technology Applications: Geothermal Energy Technologies
Instructor: Andy Walker, Principal Engineer, National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Read Summary.
One of FEMP’s most effective ways to help federal agencies achieve energy saving goals is through robust education and training. Several updated courses on Renewable Energy Technology Applications are available online. From solar to wind, small-scale hydropower, and bioenergy, these training modules support agencies’ efforts to improve energy security, reduce environmental impact, while providing electricity, heating, cooling, and more.
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Free course on Geothermal Energy Technologies is just one hour
The Department of Energy is working with the federal government’s agencies to help them lead by example when it comes to using renewable energy technologies that cut carbon emissions and save money. Our Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) provides assistance and training to help everyone make smart energy choices that support national energy goals.
Renewable Energy Technology Applications: Geothermal Energy Technologies
Instructor: Andy Walker, Principal Engineer, National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Read Summary.
One of FEMP’s most effective ways to help federal agencies achieve energy saving goals is through robust education and training. Several updated courses on Renewable Energy Technology Applications are available online. From solar to wind, small-scale hydropower, and bioenergy, these training modules support agencies’ efforts to improve energy security, reduce environmental impact, while providing electricity, heating, cooling, and more.
Read More.......
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