Oregon: 50% Renewable Portfolio Standard by 2040 Now is the Law

Oregon passes 50% renewables standard into law (Utility Dive)

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown

Gov. Kate Brown (D) signed state Senate Bill 1547 yesterday that boosts Oregon's renewable portfolio standard to 50% by 2040 and requires the state's two largest utilities to phase out coal generation imports by 2035, the Oregonian reports.

"Knowing how important it is to Oregonians to act on climate change, a wide range of stakeholders came to the table around Oregonians' investments in coal and renewable energy," Gov. Brown said in a statement. "Working together, they found a path to best equip our state with the energy resource mix of the future. Now, Oregon will be less reliant on fossil fuels and shift our focus to clean energy. I'm proud to sign a bill that moves Oregon forward, together with the shared values of current and future generations." 

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Philippines: EDC Seeks to Expand Southern Negros Geothermal Project by 60 MW

EDC to expand Negros geothermal output (Visayan Daily Star)

Energy Development Corporation (EDC) is applying for an Environmental Compliance Certificate from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for the proposed increase in the geothermal capacity of its Southern Negros Geothermal Project.

From its current 222.5 MW, EDC seeks to expand its output to 282.5 MW. The additional 20 MW will be allocated for its Nasuji Power Plant that was put in preservation mode since 2014. The remaining 40 MW will be reserved for future developments.

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United Kingdom: Cornwall Invests £1.5 Million in Geothermal Energy Project

Cornwall Council to invest £1.5m in 'hot rocks' geothermal energy project in bid for EU cash (Plymouth Herald)

Cornwall Council has agreed to invest £1.5 million into geothermal 'hot rocks' energy, to unlock cash from the EU. Councillors backed a report which says the cash is needed to unlock more money from the European Union. The report says a geothermal project generating 15 MW could power 25,000 homes and create up to 260 jobs.

"The deep geothermal resource in Cornwall, if successfully exploited, has the potential to provide Cornwall with significant economic, environmental and social benefits," says the report.

Knowledge of the resource dates back more than 40 years to the Camborne School of Mines 'Hot Dry Rocks' project at Rosemanowes Quarry, between Falmouth and Helston.

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Philippines: Government Has Invested in 15 Geothermal Energy Projects in Last 5 Years

BOI approves P171-billion worth of renewable energy projects (Business World Online)

The Philippines Board of Investments (BoI) has approved up to 144 renewable energy investment projects worth P170.9 billion for five years ending in December 2015, adding generating capacity of 3,861 megawatts (MW).

Of the renewable energy projects, hydropower plants accounted for the biggest portion at 45 followed by solar projects at 40. Biomass, geothermal and wind technologies made up 29, 15 and 15 projects, respectively. The country has yet to record a project using ocean technology.

Of the energy sector’s installed capacity of 18,445 megawatts (MW) as of mid-June 2015, nearly 32% was sourced from coal plants, 19.3% from hydro, 15.5% from natural gas, 10.4% from geothermal, and only 2% from wind and 0.55% from solar, statistics from the Energy department show.

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USA, Idaho: U.S. Geothermal Reports on a Positive Year

U.S. Geothermal Inc. Reports Year End 2015 Results and Provides 2016 Guidance (Yahoo! Finance - News Release)

U.S. Geothermal Inc. announced today its financial and operating results for the 12 months ending December 31, 2015, guidance for 2016, and highlighted notable achievements for 2015.

Development Projects Update:

• The WGP Geysers project in California completed a well test program that confirmed a sufficient steam resource to support a 30 MW power plant. The company signed a transmission interconnection agreement with the CAISO and PG&E, and is currently seeking a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) to enable start of plant construction.
• The El Ceibillo project in Guatemala received formal approval of a concession modification which allowed the restart of drilling and subsequently led to discovery of a commercially viable geothermal reservoir. The area is being expanded with further drilling prior to seeking a PPA for a minimum 25 MW plant.
• Three unconstructed binary power plants were acquired for a 5% of their original cost. This provides U.S. Geothermal with the flexibility to install these plants at existing or new projects. This will significantly lower project capital costs, and accelerate development timelines.
• At the Raft River project, the company completed the acquisition of the majority of Goldman Sachs ownership interest, which unlocks that project for upgrade and expansion.
• Continuing water supply well drilling at Neal Hot Springs, Oregon in support of hybrid cooling project which could add approximately 3+ MW to the project annual average generation.

"2015 was the third year in a row of improving financial performance as we continue to optimize our operating assets, especially given the unseasonably warm weather this year. EBITDA and Net Income, as Adjusted, were at or above the high end of guidance. We also strengthened both our cash flow and balance sheet." said Dennis Gilles, U.S. Geothermal's Chief Executive Officer and GRC Board Director. "In addition, we completed a number of important steps to advance the 68 MWs of development projects in our pipeline which will provide additional upside going forward."

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Australia: Upgrade to Birdsville Geothermal Power Station Will More Than Double Capacity

Ergon to upgrade Birdsville geothermal plant (News Release)

Ergon Energy’s Birdsville Geothermal Power Station is the only utility operated geothermal power station in Australia and the business has ambitious plans to upgrade it.

Planning is advanced on a project to replace the existing 85kW net screw expander system at the power station with new plant expected to increase net output to between 150 and 200kW.

The project will challenge Ergon Energy to integrate the new geothermal power station with the existing diesel power station to enable a renewable energy penetration of up to 70% of the total energy generated.

The higher penetration of geothermal energy will displace up to 80 per cent of the 500,000 litres of diesel used annually in Birdsville, south-west Queensland.

As a result, it is expected to save up to $340,000 a year on diesel fuel, with additional significant savings on engine maintenance, thereby extending the life of the diesel plant and reducing its environmental impact.

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Indonesia: Call for Innovative Technologies to Help Survey for Geothermal Energy

Opinion: The momentum to develop geothermal power plants (The Jakarta Post)

Geothermal appears to be the buzz word. The government has set targets to increase the share of renewable energy in total energy use to 19 percent by 2019 and 25 percent by 2025, an increase from about 5 percent and 6 percent at present.

This is monumental, especially when we take into consideration the progress of the country’s geothermal development since a pre-feasibility study for electricity generation was initiated in 1972 by Geothermal Energy New Zealand. There appears to be momentum and the will, which means there is a way if minds are open to innovative ideas and not stuck in the old ways.

There are a large number of potential geothermal sites spread across this vast country but many are difficult to access with traditional exploration strategies. Many areas will be covered by canopy while other areas will have difficult or practically impassable terrain.

To arrive at the “goal” that has been set by the Indonesian government, innovative technologies that are able to pre-stage exploration by satellite derived data that reduces the time, cost and risk need to be used.

To survey all of the potential geothermal sites individually by traditional methods will take time, time that is not on Indonesia’s side if the targets and goals are to be met.

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Indonesia: 110 MW Expansion of Ulubelu Geothermal Power Plant - Fully Operational by June 2017

PLTP Ulubelu project 79.65 percent completed: EPG (republika.co.id)

PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy (PGE) said construction of the 3rd and 4th units of PLTP Ulubelu geothermal power plant in Tenggamus, Lampung is now 79.65 percent completed.

PGE President Director Irfan Zainuddin said each of the two new units will have a capacity of 55 megawatts.

The 3rd unit is to be commercially operational in August 2016 and the 4th unit would follow in June 2017, Irfan said here on Thursday.

The 1st and 2nd units of PLTP Ulubelu each with a capacity of 55 MW, are already operational 2012. If the two new facilities come on line in 2017, PLTP Ulubelu will have a total capacity of 220 MW equivalent to 9,570 barrels of oil per day.

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Philippines: EDC Holds Hearing on Negros Geothermal Project Expansion

Public hearing today on geothermal project (Visayan Daily Star)

A public hearing will be held this morning in Valencia town, Negros Oriental, for the proposed 60-megawatt geothermal power plant expansion project of the Energy Development Corporation (EDC).

The public hearing is called for to get the sentiments of the community, the local government unit and other stakeholders on the proposed expansion project, Charlie Fabre, provincial chief of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Negros Oriental, said.

This is also part of the requirements for EDC when it will apply for Environmental Compliance Certificate, apart from its application for clearance from the DENR secretary to cut trees for the expansion project, Fabre added.

Energy Development Corp.’s  “10M in 10” movement aims to restore forest covers in Negros, now a one-island region.

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USA, California: Shindig for Geysers Geothermal Folk!

Geysers Geothermal Association Spring Dinner (GGA)

Thursday March 17th, 5:30 p.m. at Windsor Golf Course

Finance: Public Risk Mitigation Can Boost Investment in Geothermal Projects

What is the role of public finance in deploying geothermal energy in developing countries? (Climate Policy Initiative)

The major barrier to geothermal energy development is securing early-stage project finance given the scarce public resources available to invest in exploration and development. While some countries are pursuing policies to liberalize energy and electricity markets to attract private investment, significant difficulties remain.

Our case studies show that the increase in tariffs needed to provide sufficient returns to incentivize private investment can be entirely offset by public measures addressing specific risks.

More information in Lessons on the Role of Public Finance in Deploying Geothermal Energy in Developing Countries

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India: Quebec Fund Manager to Invest in Geothermal and Other Renewables

Canadian pension fund commits $150 mn to renewables sector (livemint)

CDPQ says it plans to invest the amount over the next three to four years, targeting hydro, solar, wind and geothermal power assets

Canadian pension fund Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) on Wednesday said it has pledged an investment of US $150 million in the renewable energy sector in India, becoming the latest foreign investor to tap the growing Indian clean energy market.

CDPQ is Canada’s second largest pension fund manager with C$248 billion in net assets and invests globally in major financial markets, private equity, infrastructure and real estate. The fund opened its first office in the country in New Delhi on Wednesday.

The fund said it plans to invest the amount over the next three to four years, targeting hydro, solar, wind and geothermal power assets. It also intends to partner with selective Indian renewable energy companies, CDPQ said in a statement.

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United Kingdom: Scottish Council Considers Geothermal Energy from Old Mine Shafts

Clackmannanshire conducting study on potential for geothermal energy (Modern Scot)

The Clackmannanshire Council in the central lowlands of Scotland is conducting a feasibility study on the potential for accessing geothermal energy and would like to hear opinion. Please take part via an online consultation below.

Online consultation via Citizen Space - Consultation closes on Friday, 25th March

The British Geological Survey (BGS) has conducted extensive work across the whole of Scotland to discover the potential of the energy beneath our feet.

The BGS have discovered a substantial wealth of untapped geothermal energy throughout the central belt of Scotland. This renewable energy resource is especially abundant in the Clackmannanshire area. The BGS has identified several locations where this natural resource can be extracted safely from the rocks and this includes areas that are linked to old, disused mine shafts, where drilling into the ground in well documented locations is easily achieved. This will enable geothermal installation companies to draw this heated water resource from the pockets of water trapped within old mine shafts.

For more information, please refer to the BGS Deep Geothermal Energy report.

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USA: DOE Announces $9 Million for SubTER Crosscut Initiative in Geothermal R&D

Department of Energy (DOE) Announces $9 Million for Subsurface Technology R&D

The DOE announced the release of a joint Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) between Fossil Energy’s Carbon Storage Program and Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s Geothermal Technologies Office entitled “Development of Technologies for Sensing, Analyzing, and Utilizing Novel Subsurface Signals in Support of the Subsurface Technology and Engineering (SubTER) Crosscut Initiative”.

The Department will provide approximately $9 million for four (4) to eight (8) RD&D projects that will 1) deploy and validate prototype carbon storage Monitoring, Verification, and Accounting (MVA) technologies in an operational field environment and 2)  identify and validate new subsurface signals to characterize and image the subsurface advancing the state of knowledge in geothermal exploration.

The DOE established SubTER initiative addresses the development of solutions to the technical challenges presented by the subsurface environment. The initiative is a collaboration between integrated teams composed of experts in subsurface disciplines such as characterization, drilling, manipulation and control of subsurface conditions, and monitoring. Recognizing the need to expand the research effort beyond the National Laboratory network, this FOA seeks to expand the SubTER crosscut initiative to leverage RD&D conducted by industry, academia, and other research entities.

For more information, view the full FOA.

Kenya: 140 MW Olkaria V Geothermal Project Gets Funds

Kenya signs $408 million loan with Japan for 140 MW geothermal plant (The Africa Report)

National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich said
the project will add 140 MW electricity to the national grid. Photo©Reuters

Kenya and Japan on Wednesday signed a 46 billion yen ($408 million) loan agreement to go towards building a 140 MW geothermal power plant that is expected to be operational within the next two years, the two governments said.

The plant, know as Olkaria V, will be built by Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen), which has said it expects to begin construction in July, with the plant arriving on the grid by the end of 2018.

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United Kingdom: Decision on Rosemanowes Quarry Geothermal Project Funding Today

Councillors urged to back Cornish hot rocks project with £1.5m (West Briton)

Plans to develop geothermal "hot rocks" energy in Cornwall could get a boost today (Weds) if councilors back calls to allocate £1.5million to encourage further investment in the industry.

Cornwall Council's cabinet meets later to consider a report which says the cash is needed to unlock more money from the European Union.

The report says a geothermal project generating 15 MW could power 25,000 homes and create up to 260 jobs.

"The deep geothermal resource in Cornwall, if successfully exploited, has the potential to provide Cornwall with significant economic, environmental and social benefits," says the report.

"Knowledge of the resource dates back some 40 years to the Camborne School of Mines 'Hot Dry Rocks' project at Rosemanowes Quarry, between Falmouth and Helston.

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USA, California: GRC Announces Four days of Geothermal Workshops

Workshops Announced for Geothermal Resources Council Annual Meeting (News Release)

Four days of workshops before the GRC Annual Meeting & GEA Geothermal Expo in Sacramento, California. 

The Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) has announced more details of events at the biggest geothermal conference of the year at the Sacramento Convention Center, Sacramento, California, USA.

In addition to the main event of the GRC Annual Meeting & GEA Geothermal Energy Expo taking place October 23-26, 2016, there will be two workshops before the conference.

The two geothermal workshops will be held over two days on October 21 and 22, before the start of the main event.

The Conceptual Models of Geothermal Systems workshop will focus on building geothermal resource conceptual models as the basis for well targeting and resource capacity assessments at all stages of exploration and development.

The Reservoir Stimulation: Recent Field Practices, Monitoring Techniques and Theoretical/Laboratory Investigations workshop will provide a platform for in-depth review and discussion of recent Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) field experiences and will provide attendees with an understanding of recent advances in monitoring technologies and theoretical, laboratory and numerical modeling pertaining to reservoir stimulation.

The GRC Workshop presentations will be given by experts from private industry, national laboratories and universities, and should prove valuable for anyone interested in learning about the latest exciting developments in geothermal energy.

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United Kingdom: Talk on Geothermal Energy in Cornwall

Aspects of deep geothermal energy development in Cornwall (Cornish Institute of Engineers)

10th March, Chapel Lecture Theatre, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9EZ, United Kingdom

Tony Bennett, EGS Energy will give an update on Deep Geothermal Energy in Cornwall

Geothermal energy has been a much talked about subject in Cornwall with two projects, one at the Eden Project and the other at United Downs, now have planning consent to proceed into development stage.

The opportunity is there to demonstrate the commercial viability of this important source of renewable energy and to prove the range of environmental, social and economic benefits that it can produce for the county.

The development of this technology involves a wide range of disciplines, including drilling deep wells in hard rock, characterizing hydro-geological conditions, creating an efficient heat transfer reservoir and constructing a heat and power plant, each of which has its own unique challenges.

This talk aims to discuss some of the main issues that are involved in the development of deep geothermal, with specific reference to the scheme at the Eden Project.

More Information.......

USA: Subsurface Technology and Engineering RD&D Crosscut Will Boost Geothermal Energy

Energy Under Our Feet: SubTER Initiative Taps into Geothermal’s Potential (EERE/GTO)

Beneath the surface of the Earth, there lies the potential to satisfy more than four-fifths of our nation’s energy needs. How do we optimize how we manage and invest this vast energy resource?

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has formed a first-of-its-kind team: it’s called the Subsurface Technology and Engineering RD&D initiative or SubTER. SubTER aims to improve energy security, environmental protection, and economic and social benefits by addressing issues including: increasing U.S. electricity production from geothermal reservoirs; safe storage of carbon dioxide (CO2) to meet greenhouse gas emissions reductions targets; and drinking water protection.

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Science & Technology: Baker Hughes' Innovative Geothermal Drilling Technologies

Harnessing the World's Super Power (Connexus - The Baker Hughes Magazine)

Baker Hughes’ geothermal high-temperature research and development program is leading the future of enhanced geothermal systems, with several innovative 300°C -capable systems.

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Canada: CanGEA has 7 Recommendations to Boost Geothermal

Definitive guide to why the geothermal energy industry has not kept pace with wind and solar in Canada (CanGEA)

The Canadian Geothermal Energy Association (​​CanGEA)'s Pre-Budget 2016 Submission to the Canadian House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance has been accepted and CanGEA describes it as the “definitive guide to why the geothermal energy industry has not kept pace with wind and solar in Canada”.

The report has seven recommendations to advance geothermal in Canada:

1. Promote energy literacy with CanGEA
2. Redeploy under-employed oil, gas and mining expertise and repurpose infrastructure via the development of the geothermal industry
3. Amend the Federal definition of geothermal heat by removing the requirement for a system heat pump
4. Create a renewable heat incentive program to complement existing renewable energy programs
5. Adjust the tax code to enable geothermal to reach parity with other natural resources funding
6. Federal programs for Geothermal Power (“Activation Energy” for our industry)
7. Fund the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) to assess geothermal resources

Read More.........                    More articles on geothermal in Canada.........

USA, Nevada: Interview with Jim Faulds on Geothermal in the Silver State

University research key to realizing Nevada's geothermal potential (KNUR)

University of Nevada, Reno Provost Kevin Carman (left) and
James Faulds, research professor and director of the Nevada
Bureau of Mines and Geology and State Geologist (Credit KUNR)

Nevada is known as the Silver State, but as a geological treasure, that doesn't begin to capture Nevada's richness that ranges from its vast untapped geothermal energy to leading in gold and lithium production.

Current geological research in the state, the future outlook for geothermal energy, and Nevada's worldwide impact were among the subjects of the University Spotlight on KUNR's Beyond the Headlines. Guests included GRC Member Jim Faulds, research professor and director of the Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology and State Geologist, with University of Nevada, Reno Provost Kevin Carman.

Read More........               Download Audio (mp3 file) 15:50 Minutes.

Japan: Geothermal Energy to Help Produce Hydrogen for Olympic Vehicles

Wind and Geothermal power to produce hydrogen in Fukushima (The Japan Times)

The Abe government plans to draw up a program by summer to promote wind and geothermal power generation in Fukushima Prefecture to produce hydrogen for use in fuel cell vehicles, officials said.

The hydrogen will be transported to the Tokyo area to provide a power source for fuel cell vehicles to be used around the venues of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic, the officials said Tuesday.

The government adopted the plan at a meeting of Cabinet ministers related to renewable energy sources.

Aiming to produce massive quantities of hydrogen that can drive a total of 10,000 fuel cell vehicles, the program will call for constructing large-scale electrolysis equipment in the prefecture that bore the brunt of the catastrophe at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant.

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USA, California: Big Progress for US Geothermal 30 MW Geysers Project

Interconnection Agreement Received for WGP Geysers Power Project

Key Milestone Obtained for 30 MW Geysers Project Development

U.S. Geothermal Inc. announced today that on March 6, 2016 Western GeoPower, Inc., its wholly owned subsidiary, received the fully executed Large Generator Interconnection Agreement (LGIA) for the WGP Geysers geothermal project with the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) and Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E).

The WGP Geysers project is located in Sonoma County, California, approximately 90 miles north of San Francisco and is one of four major projects under development by US Geothermal. Reservoir testing has determined that a steam resource capable of supporting a 30 MW power plant exists on the property.

"This agreement is an important milestone in our development of the WGP Geysers Project," said Dennis Gilles, CEO of U.S. Geothermal and GRC Board Director. "It allows us to gain access to the transmission grid and means that we can now offer a firm delivery date in our PPA negotiations."

The LGIA is the most critical document in the overall process for interconnecting the planned geothermal power plant to the CAISO controlled PG&E transmission system. The agreement provides for up to 35 megawatts of transmission capacity and allows for a Commercial Operations Date as early as June 1, 2018.

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East Africa: Workshop on the Geothermal Potential of the Western Branch of the Great Rift Valley

Technical Workshop on the Geologic Development and Geophysics of the Western Branch of the Greater East African Rift System (ARgeo)

9-11 March 2016, Gisenyi, Rwanda

Workshop participants will discuss the geologic setup and conditions that would support the development of geothermal systems in the countries of the western branch of East African Rift System (EARS) which include Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia, Tanzania, Malawi and Mozambique. The workshop that is sponsored by UNEP, ICEIDA/NDF, Energy Development Corporation Limited of Rwanda (EDCL) and EU and will be held in Gisenyi in Rwanda.

More information.........

USA: New GTO Acting Director to Give Lecture on Geothermal

Lecture by Susan Hamm, Acting Director of Geothermal Technology Office (GTO)

Wednesday, Mar. 9th at 4pm, Marquez Hall 226, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado, USA

Dr Susan Hamm, Acting Director of the Department of Energy's Geothermal Technology Office (GTO) will discuss the GTO and its role in the research and development and promotion of the United States' least discussed renewable energy resource, geothermal energy.

She will talk about the GTO Office and its organization. She will also outline current GTO activities and the future of geothermal energy.

Global: IGA Provides Visual on Geothermal Support Programs

IGA Poster Launch

The International Geothermal Association (IGA) recently launched a new poster on "Geothermal Support Programs in the framework of International Development Cooperation".

The map shows projects of financial and technical support agencies who assist in geothermal development worldwide.

Download the poster........

Nicaragua: Lava Flow Comes Close to Momotombo Geothermal Plant

Nicaragua's Momotombo Volcano Is Glorious In False Color Satellite Imagery (Gizmodo India)

Nicaragua's Momotombo volcano began erupting in last December, for the first time in a hundred years, throwing gas and ash into the air, and it looks spectacular in images taken from orbit.

The Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) recently passed overhead and took an incredible picture of the volcano.

The image clearly shows how lava flow in the community of El Papalonal came near the 22 MW Momotombo geothermal plant to the SW of the volcano owned by Empresa Nicaraguense de Electricidad (ENEL).

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USA: Federal Cooperation on Improving Management of Geothermal Resources and Operations

U.S. Bureau of Land Management Looks to NREL for Geothermal Technical Support (NREL)

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has entered into an inter-agency agreement with the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to provide technical support and assistance in the development of renewable energy from geothermal resources on public lands. This agreement represents an expansion of NREL's existing and developing relationship with the BLM, specifically in the area of geothermal development.

NREL and the BLM began working together on the assessment and development of renewable energy on public lands over a decade ago. In 2003, the BLM and NREL established a partnership to identify and evaluate renewable energy resources on public lands in the West. Renewable energy resources in the assessment included wind, solar, photovoltaics, biomass, and geothermal. The resulting report, Assessing the Potential for Renewable Energy on Public Lands, was a benchmark report used by the BLM in making decisions on prioritizing land-use planning activities in order to increase industry's development and use of renewable energy resources on public lands.

This new interagency agreement with the BLM specifically employs NREL's deep geothermal expertise and technical assistance capabilities to help establish more effective ways to manage geothermal resources and operations on federal lands. In this new agreement, NREL will assist the BLM through technical and analytical expertise on geothermal inspection and enforcement, induced seismicity, and classification. Several reports, studies, and other tools will be developed aimed at providing assistance to the BLM and its geothermal program.

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Education: Geothermal Energy - EGS Power Production Explained

Nice Geothermal Gif from Newberry Geothermal Energy

USA, Texas: New Blog Focuses on Geothermal and Oil & Gas Cooperation

Welcome to the SMU Geothermal Laboratory Blog

First, an introduction to who we are and what we do.

The SMU Geothermal Laboratory is part of the Roy M. Huffington Department of Earth Science at Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, Texas.  The Lab was established in 970 by Dr. David Blackwell, Professor Emeritus and former Hamilton Professor.

The Geothermal Lab is a self-funded research facility, with a variety of ongoing geothermal resource projects.  Our faculty, staff, and students strive to broaden the understanding and use of geothermal energy, from the simplest form – geothermal heat pumps for buildings, to the large-scale deployment of geothermal power plants providing energy for our cities.

The SMU Geothermal Lab Blog.....

Indonesia: Important Regional Geothermal Conference Announced

Indonesia International Geothermal Convention & Exhibition (IIGCE) 2016

10-12 August, Jakarta Convention Center, Jakarta, Indonesia

Finland: New Map Pinpoints Geothermal Heat Pump Potential

GTK: "Geothermal could completely replace fossil fuel for heating" (YLE News)

Geothermal is an odourless, invisible, renewable, reliable and limitless source of energy that could heat all of Finland's buildings, says the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK).

The Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) has released a map showing the potential for geothermal energy use in various parts of Finland.

Geothermal energy is nothing new – just taking advantage of "solar energy stored in the earth, bedrock or bodies of water". The technology for exploiting it is already readily available, and in growing use.

On Thursday the GTK argued that the improvement and active adoption of such cleantech is crucial in limiting climate change. Geothermal is an odourless, invisible, renewable, reliable and limitless source of energy, it argues.

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China: Renewable Energy Certificates Market is Slated

China aims to boost renewable energy with 'green certificates' (Reuters)

(Courtesy CIA.gov)

China plans to set up a market for renewable energy certificates to try to increase the use of cleaner energy as the world's largest greenhouse gas producer tries to reduce its reliance on coal.

Power suppliers will be able to trade "green certificates" that represent the proportion of non-hydro renewable energy that they generate, the country's National Energy Administration said on Thursday in a statement on its website.

China aims to increase the use of non-fossil fuel in the primary energy mix to 15 percent by 2020 from the current 12 percent. It plans to boost the share of renewables such as wind, solar and geothermal power, with the goal of cutting emissions of major pollutants in the power sector 60 percent by 2020. China already has the world's largest capacity of photovoltaic solar power.

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USA: Education - Over 100 Geothermal Infographics to be Judged in Competition

Geothermal Design Challenge Soars in Submissions (EERE/GTO)

Winners will receive an all-expense paid trip to the Geothermal Resources Council 40th Annual Meeting, Oct 23-26 in Sacramento, California.

The submissions are in, and competition is heating up!

As of the March 1, 2016 closing date, the Geothermal Technologies Office (GTO) received an unprecedented 109 infographic submissions in this year’s Geothermal Design Challenge 2016. The submitting teams come from over 30 states across the U.S., and represent an impressive range of schools, ages, and disciplines: high schools to graduate schools and design programs to engineering departments, under myriad interdisciplinary student-driven efforts and establishment-crafted curricula.

With lessons learned from the original competition in 2014, this impressive level of interest is the result of GTO’s close partnership with the Center for Advanced Energy Studies and the Idaho National Lab in 2016. Through this collaboration, GTO and INL challenged high school and university students to explore the future of geothermal energy and literally draw ‘the heat beneath your feet’. With the initial submissions in, technical and design judges will select the most promising infographics to proceed into Round 2, with a chance to win the cash grand prize at the end of the summer!

Future important dates include:

• March 16, 2016 – Round 2 selections will be finalized and teams will be notified.
• May 15, 2016 – Round 2 teams will submit finalized infographic.
• July 1-14, 2016 – Round 2 teams will deploy their social media campaign.
• August 1, 2016 – Winners will be notified. 

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USA: Geothermal Power can Enhance Energy Security for Military Bases

Q&A With Gen. Chuck Jacoby, Capitol Peak Asset Management (The Pew Charitable Trusts)

Charles H. “Chuck” Jacoby Jr

Charles H. “Chuck” Jacoby Jr. is a retired four-star Army general with 36 years’ experience leading military, government, and international organizations. He is now is a senior vice chairman with Capitol Peak Asset Management, which works to leverage public-private partnerships to invest in critical infrastructure improvements. Pew sat down with Jacoby to better understand ways businesses can partner with the military to improve our nation’s energy security.

Your firm is currently working with Thermal Energy Partners—a geothermal energy company specializing in on-site generation—that has identified U.S. bases at home and abroad that are good candidates for geothermal and waste heat to power projects. Can you explain why geothermal is a particularly promising solution for improving energy security on military installations?

Yes, Capitol Peak has a great relationship with Thermal Energy Partners (TEP), which has the skill set needed to identify geothermal heat resource areas around the globe that can deliver power. Through TEP’s innovation, the geothermal sector of the clean energy market has matured to the point that our military can depend on securely delivered electricity from geothermal power in places that it had not considered previously.

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Kenya: Consultant Sought to Formulate National Geothermal Strategy

Kenya, World Bank seek consultant for geothermal programme (Business Daily Africa)

The Kenyan government has partnered with the World Bank in seeking a consultant to formulate a national geothermal strategy as part of efforts to help achieve Kenya's 2030 Vision of developing a 5,000 MW source of sustainable energy.

The announcement, contained on the international financier’s job placement website, says that the consultancy firm will lay out an ambitious rollout plan that harnesses private sector participation in future steam explorations.

The consultant is expected to review adequacy of existing arrangements for geothermal development with particular focus on policy, legal and regulatory framework including licensing and procurement pricing and incentives, including feed-in tariffs, levies and taxes.

The World Bank says the suitable consultant should come up with a timeline for execution of identified projects while adequately addressing the challenges. It is this document that will be used to market Kenya’s geothermal blocks to investors in international workshops for possible wooing of geothermal developers.

The identified firm will have seven months to carry out all surveys and come up with the national strategic paper.

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Indonesia: Pertamina Wins Bid to Develop Up to 165 MW Geothermal in Java

Pertamina wins bid for Mt. Lawu geothermal power plant (Jakarta Post)

PGE will drill five exploration wells in Lawu, East Java this year. 

State-owned oil and gas giant Pertamina has secured rights to build power plants in Gunung Lawu, East Java, amid the government’s push to speed up electricity production capacity from renewable resources.

Pertamina came in first in the open bid, ahead of the only rival, PT Star Energy Geothermal Indonesia, according to an announcement made by the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry’s new renewable energy and energy conservation directorate general.

Pertamina is offering a low electricity rate of 10 US cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) for power produced from the future geothermal plant, compared to 14 cents per kWh offered by Star Energy’s, the announcement shows.

The Gunung Lawu geothermal power plant will be developed by Pertamina’s geothermal subsidiary, PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy (PGE), said PGE president director Irfan Zainuddin.

Gunung Lawu geothermal working area, estimated to support up to 165 MW in capacity, stretches through two provinces and several regencies — Karanganyar, Sragen and Wonogiri in Central Java, as well as Ngawi and Magetan in East Java.

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USA: President-Elect of GRC Maria Richards is Interviewed

Interview with Maria Richards at the Geothermal Lab at SMU in Texas (Think GeoEnergy)

Utilizing geothermal energy in oil & gas fields could expand the geothermal sector dramatically and is the key topic of the annual Power Plays conference organized by Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Texas, USA. Here we talk with Maria Richards on SMU, the conference and her view on geothermal energy in oil and gas fields.

The SMU Geothermal Lab Power Plays Conference and Workshop is now being held for the 8th time. What is the key driver for SMU to continue hosting it?

Over the years we have learned that people from many different sectors are needed to develop geothermal energy in oil and gas fields. Each time we host the conference we bring in new perspectives and provide a setting where experts from all the different sectors can meet, network, see project updates and discuss the issues involved in generating geothermal energy in oil and gas fields.

We also love the networking and research it brings to our Geothermal Lab faculty, staff, and students. It is especially important for us to give students the opportunity to apply what they are learning in the geophysics – geology courses. I think it also shows all of us the importance of not giving up on an idea because it did not develop as expected. Each time we host the conference there is renewed enthusiasm and new ideas that propel all of us forward. If Mitchell Energy and Devon Energy had quit after a few years on developing directional drilling, we would be out of gas today and the shale plays would never have happened. While it is taking longer than expected to generate geothermal power from oil and gas fields, we are not behind the research curve if you look at the timeline for directional drilling.

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USA, Oregon: State Commits to 50% Renewable Energy by 2040

Oregon Legislature Passes Historic Coal Transition Bill (Renewable Northwest)

Legislation will move Oregon off coal power, double state’s clean energy target to 50% by 2040

The Oregon Legislative Assembly today approved a landmark bill that will commit the state to eliminate its use of coal power by 2035 and double the amount of clean, renewable energy serving Oregonians to 50 percent by 2040.

Otherwise known as the Clean Electricity and Coal Transition plan, Senate Bill 1547-B received final approval on the Senate floor today after the Oregon House approved the bill in a 38-20 bipartisan vote on Tuesday.

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Argentina: Possible Geothermal Energy Project in the Works

Nuevo Proyecto De Geotermia Podría Arrancar En Chubut, Argentina - European investors propose $445m geothermal project in Argentina (Piensa en Geotermia/Think GeoEnergy)

La zona de Chubut en Argentina puede que tenga una planta de energía geotérmica ya que el gobernador de la zona y representantes de la empresa Bio Green se han reunido recientemente para discutir sobre el proyecto.

A European Investment group is exploring a possible $445m geothermal project in Chubut, Argentina.

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Indonesia: Possible Chevron Geothermal Sale gets Local Interest

Medco interested in buying Chevron Geothermal (kontan)

After reports emerged Monday that Chevron Corp is considering a sale of its geothermal assets in Asia, President Director of Medco Power Indonesia Fazil Erwin Alfitri has stated an interest in buying the assets it has a chance. 

The company is planning to sell the assets to offset the prolonged slump in oil prices, Bloomberg reported on Monday.

The operations could fetch as much as $3 billion, said one of the people, who asked not to be named because the deliberations are private. Chevron, the largest US oil producer after Exxon Mobil Corp., is working with financial advisers on the sale, though no formal process has started, and Chevron may decide to keep the assets, the people said.

PT. Medco Power Indonesia (MPI)  is owned by Saratoga Power and Medco Energi International Tbk ( MEI ), Medco Energi International is the largest national listed energy company in Indonesia.

Medco Power is already involved in developing renewable energy sources such as geothermal. In 2006, the company was awarded a contract for development of the Sarulla geothermal project in North Sumatera. Medco is also involved in the 110 MW Ijen geothermal power plant project.

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Philippines: Geothermal Could Power Island Province

Geothermal plant to provide ample electricity in Camiguin (Manila Bulletin)

A low enthalpy geothermal project (LEGP) will soon be undertaken in the island province of Camiguin, which is known for its seven volcanoes and several volcanic domes.

Using binary technology and other direct-use applications, the low enthalpy geothermal project will produce "thousands of megawatts" of electricity which will be more than enough to provide electric power to the more than 100,000 inhabitants of the province.

Sources for the LEGP were discovered by officials and technical men of the Renewable Energy Management Bureau (REMB) of the Department of Energy (DOE) who conducted a series of exploration and examination in areas of Mambajao and Catarman towns and other neighboring areas of that same province.

The DOE officials identified Camiguin as one of the potential areas for locally funded LEGP.

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Kenya: 70 MW Akira One Geothermal Project Receives Grant for Drilling

Akiira Geothermal Limited gets Sh138mn for exploration works (Capital FM Kenya)

(Courtesy Akiira Geothermal Limited)

Akiira Geothermal Limited has received a Sh138 million grant from the African Union Commission (AUC) to fund exploratory drilling works it is currently undertaking in Naivasha.

The grant by AUC is part of the Geothermal Risk Mitigation Facility and is aimed at mitigating financial risks that early stage private sector developers bear when drilling in the search of geothermal steam suitable for power production.

The firm commenced exploratory drilling in August 2015 in a bid to construct a 70 MW geothermal power plant to go into operation by December 2018.

Akiira Geothermal Chief Executive Robert Bunyi told Capital FM Business that already two wells have been drilled and a third one will be drilled in April 2016.

Akiira Geothermal is owned by Centum Investments in conjunction with three other non-Kenyan entities that include Ram Energy of the United States, Marine power of the USA and Frontier Investment Management.

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Europe: Geothermal News from EGEC

The EGEC Newsletter February 2016 - The Voice of Geothermal in Europe

The February issue of the EGEC Newsletter is now available. Click here to download it.

In this issue:

Editorial

• Exergy S.p.A won the 2016 European Geothermal Innovation Award 
• Successful KnowRES employment workshop at Offenburg 
• EGC 2016: some 150 oral presentations and almost 200 posters are expected 

Policy Updates

• EGEC recommendations for a Renewable Energy Directive post-2020
• EU Commission unveils its first ‘EU Strategy on Heating and Cooling‘
• Commission Delegated Regulation sets default values for “high-efficient cogeneration” 

News

• ENEL Green Power generates 18% of its power from geothermal
• Turboden connects 5.5 MWe Traunreut plant to the Grid in Germany
• IF Technology to explore low temperature geothermal power production in the Netherlands
• UK government offers c.13.4 million EUR in funding for low carbon Energy Projects in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
• License granted in the Puy-de-Dôme (France) for Fonroche/ Electerre de France
• Call for proposal Heating Funds 2016 for French regions
• Landisvirkjun and Icelandic Drilling Company (IDC) reach agreement for 10 new wells
• EBRD celebrates the best geothermal projects in Turkey
• Progress for new heating project in Espoo, Finland
• Pump Tests expected for new District Heating System in Freiham, near Munich, Germany
• Scope for cost reduction of GSPH in a mass market
• Poster competition at Geothermal Association of Ireland 2016 Conference
• Indonesia to relax rules on power ownership by foreign companies
• The Geothermal Risk Mitigation Facility policy maker and donor collaboration meetings, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 3-5th may
• The IGA Secretariat to remain in Bochum, Germany until December 2018
• European Geothermal Innovation award 2016 given to Exergy 

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Finance: USD 4 Billion Invested in Geothermal Energy in 2015

A Year for the Record Books - Tracking the Energy Revolution (Clean Energy Canada)

A record US$367 billion was invested in renewable power in 2015—a third of a trillion dollars. That’s serious money. Clean energy has real momentum, and the commitments underpinning the Paris Agreement on climate change will keep that momentum going.

There’s money to be made and money to be saved. For renewable power developers, declining technology and financing costs mean the profits are getting fatter.

Beating even bullish projections, global investment in clean energy hit a new record in 2015. More than a third of a trillion dollars was invested around the world last year, a healthy seven per cent increase over 2014.

Continuing recent trends, China, the United States and Japan were dominant, together making well over half of that investment.

A Year for the Record Books - Tracking the Energy Revolution—Global 2016 edition - Clean Energy Canada

Japan: 5 MW Takigami Geothermal Power Station to Begin Operations in March 2017

Construction Begins on One of Japan’s Largest Geothermal Binary Power Plants (Bloomberg)

Idemitsu Kosan Co. has begun construction of a geothermal power plant in Japan’s southwestern prefecture of Oita.

The 5-megawatt plant will begin operations in March 2017, Idemitsu said in a statement Tuesday.

The project will be one of the largest so-called binary power plants in Japan, according to the statement. Binary cycle plants can utilize lower-temperature geothermal reserves than is traditionally found in power generation using underground heat.

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Kenya: KenGen Plans to Add 720 MW Geothermal by 2020

KenGen could start direct power sales (The Star, Kenya)

KenGen is considering overstepping Kenya Power and directly sell electricity to industries near its plant to grow its revenue.

It is also targeting an additional 720 megawatts at an estimated cost of Sh203.90 billion ($2.005 billion) by 2020. 

The plan is largely targeting the proposed Naivasha Industrial Park, where Industrialization and Enterprise Development ministry will be seeking to attract large manufacturers by selling electricity at half the market price.

About 631 MW of the planned 720 MW will be generated from its geothermal fields in Naivasha at an estimated cost of $1.83 billion (Sh186.11 billion).

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Kenya: KenGen Now Has 513.8 MW Geothermal Capacity

KenGen financial results for the six months period ended 31 December 2015 (News Release)

KenGen reported its first half earnings after the market shuttered on Friday, where first half revenue surged +52.041% to Sh18.522744 billion, earnings per share increased +15.179% to Sh2.58. KenGen on-boarded its geothermal capacity increase in the previous full year but these six-month earnings captured the geothermal component in full. KenGen now has an installed capacity of 513.8 MW. These were strong results confirming the new trend line for earnings.

The company state they are pleased with the financial results for the six months period ended 31 December 2015. They delivered strong growth in revenues across most areas of focus. The results reflect the full impact of the 280 MW Olkaria geothermal plants which became fully operational in December 2014. Energy unit sales from geothermal grew by 35%.

2016 Interim Results......

USA, Washington DC: Briefing on Geothermal at the Capitol

Geothermal Energy: Heating Up

Wednesday, March 16,  2:00 - 3:30 PM, 212-10 Capitol Visitor Center (Senate-Side), East Capitol Street and 1st Street, NE, Washington DC

A live webcast will be streamed at 2:00 PM EDT at www.eesi.org/livecast (wireless connection permitting)

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) and Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) invite you to a briefing highlighting the state of the geothermal energy industry and its near-term prospects in the United States and in more than 80 other countries working to expand its use. With demand for clean energy accelerating around the globe, geothermal energy has major potential as a renewable resource that can provide power around-the-clock, complementing intermittent renewable power technologies. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) launched the Global Geothermal Alliance at COP-21 in Paris this past December to achieve a 500 percent increase in global installed capacity for geothermal power generation and a 200 percent increase in geothermal heating by 2030.

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