Global: Calendar of Geothermal Energy Events

Geothermal Energy Calendar from the Geothermal Resources Council

EAGE/DGMK Joint Workshop on Deep Geothermal Energy - Underground Storage of Hydrogen 

24 April, Celle, Germany
https://events.eage.org/en/2019/eage-dgmk-joint-workshop-on-deep-geothermal-energy

12th Imperial Valley Renewable Energy Summit (Imperial Valley Economic Development Corporation)

24-26 April, Imperial, California, USA
www.ivedc.com/events/imperial-valley-renewable-energy-summit-2019/

39th Euroheat & Power Congress

6-8 May, Nantes, France
https://www.ehpcongress.org/

IGC Islands Geothermal Conference

15-16 May, Terceira Island, Azores, Portugal
www.igc-islands.com/

EAGE Annual Conference & Exhibition 2019

3-6 June, London, UK
https://events.eage.org/2019/eage-annual-2019

National Geothermal Academy 2019 

10-21 June, Reno, Nevada, USA
https://gbcge.org/education/

European Geothermal Congress 2019 (EGEC) 

11-14 June, The Hague, Netherlands
http://europeangeothermalcongress.eu/

GeoEnergy Days (Pole Avenia)

25-27 June, Pau, France
http://www.geoenergydays.com/

6th Geothermal Congress for Latin America and the Caribbean (GEOLAC)

17-18 July, Santiago, Chile
http://newenergyevents.com/geolac/

2019 ARMA-CUPB International Geothermal Conference

5-8 August, Beijing, China
http://www.arma-cupb.com/homePage/cupb/index.html

7th Indonesia International Geothermal Convention and Exhibition (IIGCE)

13-15 August, Jakarta Convention Center, Indonesia
http://www.iigce.com/

3rd International Geothermal Conference GEOHEAT 

3-6 September, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russian Federation
http://www.igc-geoheat.com/

1st Conference on Geophysics for Geothermal and Renewable Energy Storage

8-12 September, The Hague, Netherlands
https://events.eage.org/en/2019/near-surface-2019/conferences/1st-conference-on-geophysics-for-geothermal-and-renewable-energy-storage

43rd GRC Annual Meeting & Expo

15-18 September, Palm Springs, California, USA
www.geothermal.org/meet-new.html

Praxisforum Geothermie.Bayern

7-9 October, Munich, Germany
www.praxisforum-geothermie.bayern/en

European Geothermal Workshop 2019 -
Characterization of Deep Geothermal Systems

9-10 October, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany
http://www.agw.kit.edu/EGW2019.php

Geothermal Resources in Sedimentary Basins Conference

15-18 October, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
http://gssb2019.com/

1st Canadian Geothermal Students Day 

November 2019, Québec City, Québec, Canada
https://canadiangeothermal.wixsite.com/cgsd

IGC Turkey Geothermal Congress & Expo

6-8 November, Izmir, Turkey
https://www.igc-turkey.com/

Der Geothermiekongress 2019

19-22 November, Munich, Germany
https://www.der-geothermiekongress.de/kongress-2019/der-geothermiekongress.html

41st New Zealand Geothermal Workshop (NZGW) 

25- 27 November, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
https://nzgeothermal.org.nz/

World Geothermal Congress 2020

27 April - 1 May 2020, Reykjavik, Iceland
www.wgc2020.com/

44th GRC Annual Meeting & Expo 

18-21 October 2020, Reno, Nevada, USA
www.geothermal.org/meet-new.html

USA, Texas: Great Potential for Geothermal Desalination Plants Across the Lone Star State

A Spatially Resolved Thermodynamic Assessment of Geothermal Powered Multi-Effect Brackish Water Distillation in Texas (MDPI )

by Catherine I. Birney, Michael C. Jones and Michael E. Webber, University of Texas at Austin

Brackish groundwater desalination is increasingly being considered as a means to supplement drinking water in regions facing scarce freshwater supplies. Desalination is more energy intensive and expensive than traditional freshwater sources. One method of offsetting carbon emissions is to pair desalination technology with renewable energy sources.

This research assesses the geographical feasibility of using a geothermal multi-effect distillation (MED) plant to produce freshwater from brackish aquifers in Texas. The system is analyzed using a thermodynamic model of a binary cycle MED plant. The thermodynamic model is integrated with spatially resolved information of Texas’ geothermal gradient and existing brackish well data (such as depth, salinity, and temperature) to quantify production potential.

The results from this study allow for a comparison of potential geothermal desalination plant implementation across all of Texas, rather than a single site assessment. Although this water treatment approach is technologically viable across much of Texas, the system proves to be very energy intensive in all areas except for two hot geopressured fairways in Southeast Texas, the Frio and the Wilcox. In both locations, our research concludes the binary cycle-MED plant can operate self-sufficiently, producing both freshwater and electricity. One well in the fairways can produce 121–1132 m3 of water per day, enough for 232–2133 people.

The framework outlined in this paper can be useful to policymakers and water planners considering where to build desalination facilities.

Read More.........

Spatially Resolved Thermodynamic Assessment of Geothermal Powered Multi-Effect Brackish Water Distillation in Texas, by by Catherine I. Birney, Michael C. Jones and Michael E. Webber, University of Texas at Austin. Resources 2019, 8(2), 65; doi:10.3390/resources8020065

Commonwealth of Dominica: World Bank Video of 7 MW Geothermal Power Project

Dominica Powered by Geothermal (The World Bank)


(Video 1:05 Minutes)

The Caribbean island of Dominica is making a ground-breaking investment in geothermal.  Investing in renewable energy such as geothermal will help Dominica reach its energy and climate goals.  Learn more about how this island nation is planning to build a small geothermal power plant to provide reliable and low-cost renewable energy for a more climate resilient future.

Geothermal Event - Save the Date for GRC Annual Meeting & Expo

Geothermal Event - Save the Date!

Geothermal Energy News from Around the World

Global Geothermal News - Weekly Update (Geothermal Resources Council)

A round-up of this week's international geothermal energy news.......

Click on the links below to view the whole story and other news on Global Geothermal News.

USA, California: Another Geothermal Powered Brewery

Seismic Brewing Company - A Geothermal Powered Brewery

A new brewery - Seismic Brewing Company - located in Santa Rosa, Sonoma County in California, uses geothermal energy from the the nearby Geysers geothermal field.

"By tapping into the natural geothermal energy produced by the geysers in Sonoma County, Sonoma Clean Power offers its EverGreen customers 100% locally sourced renewable power.

We are proud that our beers are brewed with this clean energy produced in our backyard, and we are happy to support another local company bringing jobs to our community."

More Information.........

United Kingdom: Opportunity for Deep Geothermal to Compete for Contracts for Renewable Projects

Registration open for £60m CfD round (Energy Live News)

Projects will compete for a total capacity of 6GW for delivery years 2023/24 and 2024/25

(Courtesy CIA.gov)

The registration process for the next allocation round under the Contracts for Difference (CfDs) scheme is now open.

It is in preparation for the third round, expected to be opened by May 2019, as indicated by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

Projects will compete for an annual budget of £60 million for delivery years 2023/24 and 2024/25 – the capacity is to be capped at 6GW.

The Electricity Market Reform (EMR) Delivery Body says it is essential for businesses to complete and submit a registration form if they are considering applying for a CfD.

Eligible technologies include anaerobic digestion, biomass with combined heat and power (CHP), geothermal, offshore wind, tidal stream and wave power.

The scheme is part of the government’s strategy towards delivering “diverse, clean, secure and affordable power” in the transition to a low carbon economy.

Read More.........

From the Global Geothermal News archives:

• Tuesday, September 12, 2017 - United Kingdom: Geothermal Energy Misses out on Round of Government Subsidies
• Monday, March 13, 2017 - United Kingdom: Opportunity for Deep Geothermal to Compete for Contracts for Renewable Projects

Germany: Deadline for Nominations for International Geothermal Association Board is Next Week

Nominations For IGA Board Term - Deadline is Next Week

Deadline 16 April 2019, 0:00 CET.

Help shape the global geothermal agenda and join the Board of the International Geothermal Association (IGA). Nominations for Board Term 2020 – 2023 are now open. Get the guidelines, get nominated, and run for election. We want diversity, passion and commitment. If that sounds like you, join us!

The IGA is an ´Association of Associations´ and acts as the umbrella organization for 35 affiliates. In total, the IGA currently has around 4,500 members. The majority of our membership is funneled through our affiliated associations (about 4,200) and about 300 are direct individual members, institutional members and corporate members. The Geothermal Resources Council is the largest of these affiliates and has provided 11 of the current IGA Board Members.

BoD Nomination Guideline (pdf, 335 KB)

Climate Change: Transition to 100% Renewable Energy is Economically Competitive - Report

New Study: Global Energy System based on 100% Renewable Energy (Energy Watch Group)

Primary energy supply in the 100% renewable energy system
will include about 52,000 MW geothermal energy (2%) by 2050.

The new study by the Energy Watch Group and LUT University is the first of its kind to outline a 1.5°C scenario with a cost-effective, cross-sectoral, technology-rich global 100% renewable energy system that does not build on negative CO2 emission technologies. The scientific modelling study simulates a total global energy transition in the electricity, heat, transport and desalination sectors by 2050. It is based on four and a half years of research and analysis of data collection, as well as technical and financial modelling by 14 scientists. This proves that the transition to 100% renewable energy is economically competitive with the current fossil and nuclear-based system, and could reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the energy system to zero even before 2050.

Primary energy supply in the 100% renewable energy system will be covered by a mix of sources, with solar PV generating 69%, followed by wind energy (18%), biomass and waste (6%), hydro (3%) and geothermal energy (2% - about 52 GW) by 2050. Wind energy and solar PV make up 96% of total electricity, and approximately 88% of the total energy supply, which will have a synergetic balancing effect.

The total installed power generation capacity increases from nearly 300 GW in 2015 to around 2,600 GW by 2050. Across the power sector, solar PV with around 1.260 GW and wind with around 650 GW constitute the majority of installed capacities by 2050. Additionally, some shares of hydropower, geothermal and non-fossil gas based electricity contribute through the transition.

Read More.........

Geothermal Event - Book Your Rooms Now for GRC Annual Meeting & Expo

Reserve Your Hotel Rooms for GRC Annual Meeting & Expo (News Release)

Hotel room reservations can now be made for the biggest geothermal energy event of the year to be held September 15-18 in Palm Springs, California, USA.

Reservations can now be made for hotel rooms for the Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) Annual Meeting & Expo, being held in Palm Springs, California, USA from September 15-18, 2019. All the events are in one central location, at the Palm Springs Convention Center. The official hotels are either connected to the convention center or just one block away.

The GRC has contracted with the Renaissance Palm Springs and Hilton Palm Springs hotels for a discounted block of rooms. At both hotels there is a choice of rooms with either two double beds or a king bed starting at $150 a night excluding taxes and fees.

Attendees can make their reservations on secure websites prepared specially for the GRC. The links are available from the GRC Annual Meeting website at: https://geothermal.org/Annual_Meeting/hotel.html.

The GRC strongly encourage you to stay at one of the conference hotels to gain the benefits of networking with colleagues, being close to the event venue, and relaxing in nice hotel properties.

We make every effort to negotiate the best possible rates. When you stay at the conference hotels, you help GRC meet our contractual obligations, avoid paying financial damages for this meeting, secure suitable venues and preferred dates-and-rates for future conferences.

The GRC Annual Meeting is the industry’s largest annual gathering of leading geothermal energy scientists, producers, renewable energy industry stakeholders, regulators, utilities, and key associated business leaders. The four-day event will offer technical, policy, and market conference sessions, educational seminars, tours of local geothermal and renewable energy projects, and numerous networking opportunities.

Over 1,000 attendees came to the 2018 GRC Annual Meeting and Expo from over 40 different countries, highlighting the GRC’s role in connecting the global geothermal energy community. With increasing interest in geothermal as a reliable source of renewable energy providing both flexible and baseload power production around the world, the GRC is looking ahead to an even stronger international attendance in 2019.

For information on how to sponsor this event, contact Anh Lay, GRC at (530) 758-2360 X100 or alay@geothermal.org.

For more information about the GRC Annual Meeting & Expo in Palm Springs, California, USA, visit www.geothermal.org/meet-new.html or call (530) 758-2360.

Make Sure of Your Booth at the Geothermal Energy Event of the Year

GRC Annual Meeting & Expo - A Geothermal Event!

15-18 September, Palm Springs Convention Center, Palm Springs, California, USA

In conjunction with the prestigious Annual Meeting, the GRC will also host an expo in which companies can promote projects, equipment, services, and technology to leading geothermal energy scientists, producers, renewable energy industry stakeholders, regulators, utilities, and key associated business leaders around the world.

23 exhibitors - so far - have signed up for the geothermal energy event of the year:

A.W. Chesterton Company	Nevada Division of Minerals
AMSA, Inc.	Ormat Technologies, Inc.
Boart Longyear Company	PCC Metals Group
BS&B Safety Systems, LLC	Pioneer Petrotech Services Inc.
EvapTech, Inc.	POWER Engineers, Inc.
Expro Americas	PowerChem
Fuji Electric	Rexa, Inc.
Geothermal Resources Council	Scientific Drilling
Geothermal Resource Group	Seequent
GeothermEx	Sinclair Well Products
Horizon Well Logging	Thermochem, Inc.
NALCO Water

More Information.........

Contact Ann Lay Email: alay@geothermal.org, Phone: (530) 758-2360 ext. 100 if you have any questions.

Geothermal Event! Latest Update on the GRC Annual Meeting & Expo 2019

GRC Annual Meeting & Expo 2019

Geothermal: Green Energy for the Long Run

Hotel Accomodation - Book by 21 August

The GRC Annual Meeting & Expo will be held in the Palm Springs Convention Center. The GRC has contracted for a discounted block of rooms at two host hotels. The Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel is attached to the convention center and the Hilton Palm Springs Hotel is just one block away. Rooms are available starting at $150 per night. More Information........

Exhibitor Registration Now Open! - 24 Exhibitors have signed up already!
The GRC invites you to exhibit at our annual geothermal energy conference. Exhibiting at the GRC Annual Meeting & Expo offers a tremendous opportunity to meet and network with other members of the geothermal energy community, as well as keep up on the newest advances in relevant technology. More Information.........

Sponsorships are now available. These are great opportunities for companies to get more exposure at the largest annual geothermal energy gathering in the world. Make the geothermal community take notice, become a sponsor now! More Information.........

Science & Technology: Geothermal Energy Can Serve as a Sustainable and Effective Energy Source for Food Production

Addressing Food Security and Boosting Development with Geothermal Heat (IRENA)

In a geothermal greenhouse. GRC Fieldtrip 2014 -
Klamath Falls, Oregon, USA. Photo by Ian Crawford.

A recent IRENA publication, Accelerating geothermal heat adoption in the agri-food sector: Key lessons and recommendations, highlights that while geothermal energy is predominantly known for power generation and district heating, it can serve as a sustainable and effective energy source for food production by heating greenhouses and aquaculture ponds. Furthermore, geothermal energy can be used to minimise post-harvest losses by drying and refrigerating food.

In addition to boosting food security, geothermal energy in the agri-food sector can reduce fossil fuel dependencies, exposure to volatile prices, and harmful emissions. The publication suggests that several geothermal applications in food processing and agriculture require low temperatures and can therefore be deployed in areas where the geothermal resources would not be suitable for power generation.

Read More.........

Switzerland: Geothermal Software Course at University of Bern

PFLOTRAN Short Course (University of Bern)

June 4-6, 2019, University of Bern, Switzerland

The Rock-Water Interaction group at the Institute of Geological Sciences, University of Bern and the PFLOTRAN development team at Sandia National Lab will organize a short-course in the use of PFLOTRAN from June 4-6, 2019.

PFLOTRAN is a state-of-the-art, open source, peta-scale reactive multiphase flow and transport code founded upon the parallel PETSc framework and designed to run on computers ranging from laptops to supercomputers.  PFLOTRAN is being employed by users from around the world to simulate problems of varying complexity, from simple 1D transport to large 3D multiphase flow and biogeochemical reaction in heterogeneous porous media. This three-day short course provides an introduction to PFLOTRAN during the first two days with the third day reserved for advanced and user-defined problems.

More Information........                    Register.........

Ethiopia: New Bill Eases Registration and Licensing Processes for Geothermal Development Companies

New Bill Appears to Ease Geothermal Investment (Addisfortune News)

So far, 10 companies are licensed to explore and produce geothermal energy

(Courtesy CIA.gov)

A new bill that eases registration and licensing processes for geothermal development companies has been submitted to the Council of Ministers for approval.

Drafted by the Ethiopian Energy Authority last year, the draft regulation categorises the resource into two sections depending on the capacity of energy. Grade one is a geothermal resource that is able to generate electric power, while Grade two is used for agricultural, industrial, medical and recreational purposes.

The bill has also identifies three types of licenses for geothermal developers. Reconnaissance is the first stage in licensing that is granted for two years and is non-renewable. The exploration license allows developers a five-year exploration window that can be renewed for two year-long terms. Wellfield development licenses are the final license issued and allow for 25 years worth of production concession  options that can be extended.

Tulu Moye Geothermal Operations and Corbetti Geothermal have signed power purchase agreements (PPA) with Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP). The two companies are expected to start drilling soon and eventually generate 500 MW of energy each.

OrPower Twelve Incorporated is in the exploration stage with four licenses and is currently negotiating with EEP to sign a PPA. OrPower operates at Boku, Oromia, Dofan, Afar and Wolaita Sodo and Wondo Genet in the southern regional state. Another UK-based firm, Cluff Geothermal Plc, is also in the exploration stage in Amhara, Afar and Oromia regional states and is in negotiation with EEP for a power purchase agreement.

Reykjavik Geothermal Consulting, an Icelandic Company, is also licensed to explore geothermal energy at Abaya near Wolaita. It has begun negotiations with EEP to sign a PPA.

Read More.........

USA: Deadline to Submit Portfolios for the Student Geothermal Energy Competition is Today!

Submit Portfolios For The Geothermal Design Challenge Deadline by Midnight Tonight (Utah FORGE)

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Geothermal Technologies Office (GTO), in partnership with the Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy (FORGE) and the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), invites both high school and university (undergraduate & graduate) teams to explore the future of geothermal energy and visualize the world of geothermal energy by participating in the 2019 Geothermal Design Challenge™.

Teams of 2 or 3 members will research data, interpret information and create a data visualization portfolio that will tell a compelling story about geothermal energy.

Winners will be announced on April 22, 2019.

Prizes

The top 3 winning teams will be awarded as follows: $5,000 for 1st place team / $3,500 for 2nd place team / $2,500 for 3rd place team.

More Information..........

Climate Change: More Use of Renewable Energy Brings Increased Economic Growth, Job Creation and Overall Welfare Gains - IRENA

Global energy transformation: A roadmap to 2050 (IRENA)

Increased use of renewable energy, combined with intensified electrification, could prove decisive for the world to meet key climate goals by 2050.

This study from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) highlights immediately deployable, cost-effective options for countries to fulfil climate commitments and limit the rise of global temperatures.

The envisaged energy transformation would also reduce net costs and bring significant socio-economic benefits, such as increased economic growth, job creation and overall welfare gains.

Read More........

Australia: Winton Geothermal Plant is Due to be Commissioned this Year

Census of Australian Geothermal Projects (AGA)

The Australian Geothermal Association (AGA) has conducted a Census of Australian geothermal projects to more accurately and effectively highlight the positive aspects of this renewable energy industry.

Relevant projects include direct-use applications (eg. pool heating in Perth, Barramundi farms in Victoria etc.), hot springs and spa, ground source heat pump projects at the residential and commercial scale and electricity generation (e.g. Birdsville & most recently in Winton Qld).

Here in Australia, the 80 kilowatt (kWe) Birdsville geothermal plant in Queensland faithfully supplied electricity for over 25 years. While the state-owned electricity company that managed the Birdsville plant recently made a strategic decision to decommission it, a new 310 kWe geothermal plant is due to be commissioned by the Winton local government in another part of Queensland in 2019. Both of these plants are powered by 87-100°C water from depths of 1
– 1.5 km in the Great Artesian Basin, and similar projects are currently at the planning stage (e.g. bore testing in photo above) in other parts of the basin.

A 2018 study commissioned by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency
found that ‘Hot Sedimentary Aquifer’ geothermal electricity generation (such as the Queensland projects) have the lowest Levelized Cost of Energy for dispatchable renewables available 24/7. This means that lifecycle cost of geothermal electricity generation is less than that of solar and battery storage combined.

The AGA is currently working on a position paper that examines recent global developments in geothermal power generation, and considers what areas in Australia might be best suited to this type of geothermal development. For details please get in touch with AGA at australiangeothermal@gmail.com.

More Information.......

Germany: Post Doc Position in Super-Hot and Supercritical Geothermal Systems Research

PostDoc position: computational methods for hydraulic fracture propagation (GFZ-Potsdam)

Job Vacancy No. 2295 - Potsdam, Germany
Please submit your application online by 22nd April 2019

Within the framework the EU-Horizon2020 project GEMex, we offer a postdoctoral position to perform research on computational methods for hydraulic fracture propagation (Phase-field, Damage mechanics, thermo-hydro-mechanical coupling) in porous media of super-hot and supercritical geothermal systems.

The proposed methods and models will be integrated into the open-source Finite Element platform OpenGeoSys. The work is expected to contribute to the concept development for the development and exploitation of such high-enthalpy geothermal systems.

More Information and Apply........

USA: Internship Available for Pre-Feasibility Geothermal Study for a Site in Alaska

Summer Internship - Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL)

Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) is offering a summer internship under the supervision of Dr. Viktoria Gisladottir. The student is to participate in a pre-feasibility geothermal study for a site in Alaska. The objective of the pre-feasibility study is to look for indication of geothermal potential through review of existing data and field reconnaissance. The student would be involved in data collection and analysis as well as identifying and framing next step/scale field reconnaissance. A successful candidate would have demonstrable skills in geology/engineering- structural, water geochemistry, or geophysics. Students with geothermal interest are encouraged to apply.

Requirements: Graduate students preferred. Knowledgeable seniors with strong initiative and the ability to work independently considered.

Location of internship: Hanover, New Hampshire – travel to Alaska.
Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) U.S. Army Engineer R&D Center (ERDC) 

Contact information: viktoria.r.gisladottir@erdc.dren.mil

Republic of Ireland: Downhole Data Confirms 260 Degrees F Offshore Geothermal Resource

Technical Update - Dunquin North Geothermal Assessment (News Release)

Providence Presents Dunquin North Geothermal Resource Technical Paper

Providence Resources P.L.C., the Irish based energy company, today provided a technical update regarding its ongoing geothermal resource assessment of the Dunquin North Lower Cretaceous carbonate build-up.  Dunquin North is situated in Frontier Exploration Licence (FEL) 3/04 in the southern Porcupine Basin, offshore Ireland.

Providence’s Technical Director, Dr. John O’Sullivan, presented a paper on the company’s latest assessment of Dunquin North’s geothermal resource potential at the American Association of Petroleum Geologist’s (AAPG) 3rd Hydrocarbon Geothermal Crossover Workshop in Geneva this afternoon.

Summary:

• The Dunquin North (44/23-1) well data confirms the presence of a massive porous over-pressured LK carbonate reservoir system in the southern Porcupine Basin offshore Ireland
• Whilst residual oil is present, pressures and sampling have confirmed that the mobile phase is water 
• Downhole data have confirmed a TD reservoir temperature of c. 260 Degrees F
• Integration of seismic and well data support the potential presence of a large offshore geothermal resource (c. 7 Billion Barrels) with further upside potential
• Further work ongoing to assess whether this geothermal resource could be developed to provide Ireland with a dispatchable green baseload power supply to underpin intermittent renewables such as wind and solar

View the presentation..........

From the Global Geothermal News archives:

• Thursday, February 14, 2019 - Republic of Ireland: Porcupine Basin "a Potentially Significant Geothermal Resource"
• Thursday, January 17, 2019 - Republic of Ireland: Postdoctoral Fellowship Available for Offshore Geothermal Energy Research
• Monday, December 17, 2018 - Republic of Ireland: Offshore Porcupine Basin Could be a Source of Geothermal Energy

New Zealand: Mokai Geothermal Power Plant to Help Produce Hydrogen

Hydrogenics to Deliver First Green Hydrogen Production Station to New Zealand (News Release)

Hydrogenics Corporation, a leading developer and manufacturer of hydrogen generation, fueling equipment and hydrogen-based fuel cell power modules, today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Halcyon Power – a joint venture of New Zealand-based Tuaropaki Trust and Obayashi Corporation of Japan – to supply a carbon-free hydrogen production facility in New Zealand.

The 1.5 megawatt hydrogen production project is scheduled to be in operation by 2020 and will be a valuable asset supporting joint research and development initiatives by Tuaropaki Trust and Obayashi Corporation, which are working towards implementing a hydrogen supply chain for New Zealand and Japan. The “green” (carbon neutral) hydrogen will be generated using electricity from stable, cost-effective geothermal energy in Mokai, Taupo, located adjacent to an existing Tuaropaki power plant (owned by the Tuaropaki Power Company and operated by Mercury Energy).

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

From the Global Geothermal News archives:

• Thursday, October 25, 2018 - New Zealand: Japan to Cooperate on Hydrogen Production - Possibly Using Geothermal Power
• Thursday, February 8, 2018 - New Zealand: Project for Commercial Hydrogen Production using Geothermal Energy Announced
• Monday, May 4, 2015 - Japan: Project for Geothermal Power to Produce Liquid Hydrogen Begins

Philippines: Bacon-Manito Geothermal Power Plant to Provide Electricity for Pipe Factory

Neltex taps EDC for power supply (Manila Standard)

Neltex Development Co. Inc., the country’s largest plastic pipe manufacturer, tapped Energy Development Corp.’s Bacon-Manito Geothermal Project in the Bicol region to supply electricity for its factory in Dasmariñas, Cavite.

“With its partnership with EDC, Neltex aims to make its production sustainable and safe for the environment, making it the first in the industry to be powered by renewable energy,” EDC said in a statement.

Geothermal energy is the only renewable energy source that is baseload which means it can run uninterrupted 24/7. 

Read More.........

Sweden: Exploring the Geothermal Potential of the Crystalline Bedrock of Skåne

Evaluation of the Lund deep geothermal exploration project in the Romeleåsen Fault Zone, South Sweden: a case study (Springer Nature)

by Jan-Erik Rosberg and Mikael Erlström of Lund University

The bedrock of Skåne, the southernmost province of Sweden, has been targeted for geothermal feasibility studies since the late 1970s. An exploration project concerning the geothermal potential in the Romeleåsen Fault Zone was launched outside the town of Lund in 2001. Besides geophysical imaging of the thrust fault zone, the investigations included drilling and investigations of a 3701.8-m-deep exploration well, DGE-1, with the aim to find > 100 °C warm and hydraulically conductive fractured crystalline bedrock associated to the fault zone. 

The well penetrates a heavily thrusted and predominantly strongly inclined sedimentary succession in hanging rock blocks along the main fault before entering the fractured crystalline basement at 1946 m, primarily composed of gneiss, granite, and metabasite. 

This paper represents the first comprehensive description and evaluation of the geological, physical, and hydrological properties of the bedrock at these depths in the Romeleåsen Fault Zone coupled to a geothermal assessment. In addition, the applicability of the four drilling methods used in the crystalline basement section is discussed. 

The outcome of the DGE-1 well shows significant fracturing in the crystalline bedrock at target depth. The investigations show an average thermal gradient of 22 °C/km, an average heat flow of 58 mW/m2, and an average heat production of 5.8 µW/m3. The values are relatively high in comparison to thermal conditions noted in other deep wells in the Fennoscandian Shield. However, a bottomhole temperature of around 85 °C and insufficient fluid production rate made a commercial geothermal system unviable. 

Despite this, the experiences from drilling and investigations of the crystalline bedrock at several kilometers depth constitute important proxies for assessing the geothermal potential in similar geological settings and for engineered geothermal systems in the crystalline bedrock of south Sweden.

Read More.........

Evaluation of the Lund deep geothermal exploration project in the Romeleåsen Fault Zone, South Sweden: a case study by Jan-Erik Rosberg and Mikael Erlström. Geothermal EnergyScience – Society – Technology 2019 7:10

https://doi.org/10.1186/s40517-019-0126-7

Germany: New Publications on Re-Using Oil & Gas Wells for Geothermal Energy

Geothermie: Weg frei für die Folgenutzung von Erdöl- und Erdgasbohrungen zur Gewinnung von Erdwärme - Geothermal energy: clearing the way for the subsequent use of oil and gas wells to generate geothermal energy (LBEG)

Wie können aufgegebene Erdöl- und Erdgasbohrungen weiter genutzt werden? Welche Rolle kann die Geothermie dabei spielen und wie können solche Bohrungen zur Energiewende beitragen?

Mit diesen und vielen weiteren Fragen beschäftigt sich das Geothermieforum Niedersachsen, eine deutschlandweit einzigartige Plattform zum Erfahrungstransfer aus der Erdgas- und Erdöl- in die Erdwärmebranche. Das Geothermieforum hat jetzt drei neue Publikationen veröffentlicht: einen Bericht zur Geothermischen Nachnutzung von Bohrungen, eine Liste von Bohrungen, die möglicherweise nachnutzbar sind und eine Checkliste für privatrechtliche Verträge zur Übertragung einer Bohrung.

(From Google Translate) How can abandoned oil and gas wells continue to be used? What role can geothermal energy play in this and how can such boreholes contribute to the energy transition?

The Niedersachsen Geothermal Forum , a unique German platform for the transfer of experience from the natural gas and oil industry to the geothermal industry, deals with these and many other questions. The Geothermal Forum has just released three new publications: 

• a geothermal reuse report on wells, 
• a list of wells that may be reusable, and 
• a checklist for private contracts to transfer a well.

Weiterlesen.........                Read More........

Europe: Putting a Price on Carbon Could Help Geothermal Heating Become More Widespread in Europe

The heat source beneath our feet (Foresight Climate & Energy)

Geothermal Well and Volcano at Copahue (Argentina)
by Martin Pujol. Reconditioned exploration test hole COP-2
used for snow melting at Copahue ski resort in Argentina.
GRC Geothermal Photo Contest 2018

Geothermal heating has plenty of potential as a long-term solution to decarbonise heating and cooling systems

“Geothermal heating has enormous potential,” says Lars Andersen, managing director at Geoop, a Danish geothermal firm. “Ninety-nine per cent of the Earth’s volume has temperatures above a thousand degrees centigrade. If we were to start from scratch and build a whole new energy system, a lot more would be based on geothermal heat.”

Putting a price on carbon could help geothermal heating to become more widespread in Europe, says Philippe Dumas, secretary general at the European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC). He also suggests allowing EU member states to set up technology specific support to help decarbonise the heating and cooling sector. “This would help increase security for investors and provide financing for new projects,” he says.

Biomass will start to lose its competitive advantage, even if taxes do not change, forecasts Bjerregaard. “Global demand for biomass is expected to rise significantly in the coming decades and sustainability requirements will lead to price increases,” he predicts. “Geothermal heating, on the other hand, can deliver stable heating for hundreds of years, giving it the competitive advantage of supporting the green transition in the long term.”

Read More.........

Kenya: Chinese Company Wins EPC and O&M Contracts for 35 MW Sosian Menengai Geothermal Power Project

China's Kaishan Compressor Wins USD65 Million EPC Contract at Kenyan Geothermal Plant (Yicai Global)

Zhejiang Kaishan Compressor, a Chinese mechanical equipment maker, has landed a USD 65 million engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract to build a geothermal power plant in Kenya as it expands into a new energy industry.

Kaishan Renewable Energy Development penned the deal for the 35 megawatt facility with Sosian Menengai Geothermal Power (SMGPL), its parent said in a statement today. SMGPL is building the facility in the Mennonay volcanic geothermal block in Nakuru, Kenya, and has an agreement in place to sell the electricity generated there to Kenya National Power. It already has a license to generate power from the Kenyan government.

Its subsidiary also penned a 14-year operation and maintenance deal worth USD 18 million for the plant. The unit and SMGPL will adjust annual costs based on local price indexes.

Read More........

From the Global Geothermal News archives:

• Monday, July 23, 2018 - Kenya: South Korean Company Finalizing O&M Contract for Sosian Menengai Geothermal Power Project
• Thursday, June 21, 2018 - Kenya: Chinese Company Gets EPS Contract for Sosian Menengai Geothermal Power Project

USA, California: Next Meeting of the SoCal Section of the Geothermal Resources Council is Tomorrow

SoCal GRC Meeting

9 April, 3:30 pm, Stockmen's Club, Brawley, California
Sponsored by CGE Services and Sinclair Well Products and Services. 

Agenda Highlights:

• Imperial Valley Desert Museum – Geothermal Exhibit
• Industry Showcase:

• CGE Services
• Sinclair Well Products
• Ormat
• Nalco 
• Geothermal Resource Group (GRG)

• 2019 GRC Annual Meeting & Expo

Please remember to RSVP with Mary Mann (mary@geothermalresourcegroup.com).

Appetizers will be served and include Tri Tip Sliders, Hot Wings, Guacamole and Chips! And the No Host Bar will open all night.

Switzerland: Two Day Oil & Gas – Geothermal Cross Over Technology Workshop

AAPG 3rd Hydrocarbon – Geothermal Cross Over Technology Workshop

9-10 April, Geneva, Switzerland

“Making geothermal energy profitable: from subsurface uncertainties to viable business models"

Not one single country or energy company can avoid this question: what role will sustainable energy play in our future and how can we shape the transition?

The crossover from oil & gas to geothermal energy may play a key role in the journey towards sustainable use of the subsurface and a greener energy world. Yet, uncertainties on profitability and the establishment of viable business models are hindering the large-scale development of geothermal energy, especially in areas located in sedimentary basins where the geothermal gradient/ heat flow are relatively low compared to magmatic areas that comprise more traditional geothermal targets. Behind these questions lie fundamental challenges related to developing a deeper understanding of subsurface uncertainties, safe and cost-effective development and integrated systems.

More Information.........

The Geothermal Energy Magazine - 64 Pages Now Available Online

Now Available - GRC Bulletin - Vol. 48, No. 2, March/April 2019

The March/April issue of the GRC Bulletin is now available to download. Produced by the Geothermal Resources Council since 1972, the Bulletin is the voice of the international geothermal energy community.

In this issue:

• President’s Message, by Andy Sabin
• Executive Director's Message, by William Pettitt
• Inside Geothermal: 19 pages of geothermal energy news from around the world
• FORGE Ahead - Roadmap Released, by Alexis M.W. McKittrick
• The Utah Frontier Observatory for Geothermal Research (FORGE): Results of Recent Drilling and Geoscientific Surveys, by Joseph Moore
• First Field Scale Test of Closed Loop Geothermal to be Conducted at Coso California, by John R. Muir
• GeoCoat – High Performance Coatings For Aggressive Geothermal Environments, by Geo-Coat consortium
• Geothermal History in the Making - A Single Wellhead Generator on the Big Island of Hawai'i, by Ian Crawford
• Publications, Websites, Video & Maps
• Calendar of Events

The GRC Bulletin is only available online to GRC members. To make sure of your copy join the GRC today!

Geothermal Energy News from Around the World

Global Geothermal News - Weekly Update (Geothermal Resources Council)

A round-up of this week's international geothermal energy news.......

Click on the links below to view the whole story and other news on Global Geothermal News.

USA, California: CPUC Plan Proposes 2,900 MW Geothermal Energy by 2030 in Golden State

GRC Executive Director Represents the Geothermal Energy Community at the Capitol (LinkedIn)

 

Spain: Two-Day Geothermal Energy Workshop on Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria Geothermal Workshop - International Technology Collaboration Program of the IEA

8-9 April 2019, Gran Canaria, Spain

Profit from the IEA - International Technology Collaboration Platform of Geothermal Energy:

• Presentations by international experts (Europe, Asia, New Zealand, Mexico).
• Learn about most efficient and cost-effective geothermal energy use.
• Hear about innovations and emerging technologies of geothermal energy.
• Enhance your knowledge and strengthen your international network by worldwide information exchange.
• Meet international experts, high level representatives and decision makers from countries worldwide, leading international companies and many more...

Download the Programme...... 
Download the Workshop flyer.........

Register.........

Italy: Short Video Overview of Geothermal Energy

Geoscienze News - Il calore della Terra e l'energia geotermica - Geosciences News - Earth's heat and geothermal energy (Comunicazione Social)

La ricercatrice del Dipartimento Ambiente INGV Monia Procesi sul calore interno della Terra e l'energia geotermica. Monia Procesi, researcher at the Department of Environment INGV, on the internal heat of the Earth and geothermal energy. 

(Video 2:51 Minutes)

Science & Technology: British Company to Lead Research in Developing Cost-Effective Drilling Technology for Geothermal Systems

Geo-Drill: Cost-Effective Drilling Technology For Geothermal (News Release)

Geothermal is currently the most underutilised of renewable resources, principally due to the high costs associated with deep geothermal drilling. These high drilling costs are related to the increased drilling distance and tripping times, harsher environments (temperature, pressure and geothermal fluid composition), reduced information (e.g. drilling blind) and lithology.

Following its long history of expertise and knowledge in coatings, material properties and performance, TWI has teamed up with experts in geothermal drilling technology including operators, specialists with experience in materials performance in harsh geothermal environments and development of graphene based materials and coatings, and simulation experts, to develop a novel and cost-effective drilling technology for geothermal systems.

Project Geo-Drill, funded by the European Commission H2020 programme under Research and Innovation (Grant agreement number 815319), aims to develop “holistic” drilling technologies that have the potential to drastically reduce the cost of drilling to large depths and at high temperatures. Geo-Drill will, thus, enhance the growth of geothermal energy as it will enable the exploitation of deep geothermal energy to generate electricity while significantly reducing the environmental impact during drill activity by reducing the capital expenditure (CAPEX). The project kicked-off on 3rd April with a consortium meeting hosted by TWI and will run for a period of 42 months.

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

Netherlands: Combined Heat Power and Metals Conference

CHPM2030 final conference

23 May, Delft, The Netherlands

The CHPM2030 project is organizing its final conference in the framework of the EuroWorkshop “Geology and the energy transition” on 23 May 2019 in Delft, the Netherlands.

Co-organised with the Royal Geological and Mining Society of the Netherlands (KNGMG) and the European Federation of Geologists (EFG), the aim of this EuroWorkshop is to provide insights into the energy transition and how it has affected geosciences.

The European economy is indeed heavily dependent upon energy and mineral supply for industry and society. Lowering the costs and the environmental impact of energy production and decreasing the dependence on imported strategic raw materials are therefore key challenges. CHPM2030 is an ambitious research project funded by the European Union under the Horizon 2020 programme for Research and Innovation that has been set up to help address these challenges. CHPM2030 is developing a novel technology that will combine geothermal energy production with metals extraction from the geothermal fluid in a single interlinked process, the Combined Heat Power and Metals (CHPM) technology.

More information and registration.........

Philippines: First National Geothermal Association Conference

1st Philippine Geothermal Conference (National Geothermal Association of the Philippines)

Beyond Conventional: Low-Medium-Enthalpy Geothermal Resources and Applications

2-3 October, Manila, Philippines

Europe: Information Delivery Manual for Geothermal Drilling Processes

New public deliverable: “Geothermal – IDM for Drilling Processes” (GEOFIT project)

Before the GEOFIT project integration in a building information model (BIM), one of the most critical stages is the drilling works and they must be defined within the BIM context. To do that, it is paramount to identify the capacity to collect relevant information during drilling processes to create a suitable BIM model which may be included together will all the GEOFIT project tasks.

All the geothermal aspects are enough comprehensive for semantic models required by BIM technology. Therefore, during drilling, it is expected to know its semantics in terms of information production and work flows to combine it in a multi semantic model under proper standards.

This must be done by using an Information Delivery Manual (IDM). An IDM production is the objective of deliverable 2.1 “Geothermal IDM for Drilling Processes” within the GEOFIT WP2 context – Ground Research, work site inspection and improved drilling technologies – and it will lead to the suitable application of the IDM methodology, in first place, to create a GEOFIT project framework, reusable and adaptable for different practical configurations within the project, and in second place, to contribute to the international decision making forums and experts groups within the building industry. Download the report........

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Morocco: Portuguese Company to Study Areas of Geothermal Potential in the South

Gesto Evaluates Southern Morocco Geothermal Potential (News Release)

(Courtesy CIA.gov)

Since 2009, Morocco has committed to a sustainable development of a renewable energy strategy.

To reach this goal, Morocco has defined a new energy strategy where the development of renewable energies assumes a leading role, having the objective to reach 42% of the installed electric power generation from renewable energy in 2020.

As part of this strategy, Geothermal energy is giving the first steps in country, and following the successful development of Morocco northeastern strategy for geothermal power, where the geothermal potential of an area of more than 60,000 km2 was evaluated, Gesto - based in Algés, Lisbon, Portugal - was awarded the project: Realisation d’une Etude des Potentiatites Geothermiques dans les Provinces du Sud.

The purpose of this new project is to identify and study areas with geothermal potential in the provinces of south of Morocco in an area of more than 140,000 km2, corresponding to Moroccan Sahara. This project will comprehend hydrogeological, geochemical, geological and geophysical studies, with the goal to classify the different energy levels of the geothermal potential.

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Bolivia: Sacyr Industrial and Ormat Win Tender for Construction of 5.6 MW Sol de Mañana Geothermal Pilot Plant

Sacyr is awarded the construction of a geothermal plant in Bolivia (News Release)

(Courtesy Ende Corporación)

The consortium formed by Sacyr Industrial, a Spanish construction company based in Madrid, and Ormat has been awarded the construction of a geothermal plant in Potosí (Bolivia). The project, tendered by Bolivian power company Ende Corporación, includes detailed engineering, the supply of equipment and materials, the civil construction, assembly and start-up.

The Laguna Colorada plant is a pioneering project in South America and will become the highest altitude geothermal plant in the world (4,980 meters above sea level), with the inherent challenges.

The contract amounts to 18 million dollars (16 million euros) and will be executed over 24 months.

The project consists of a pilot binary cycle geothermal plant, which uses 132,000 kg/h of geothermal fluid at 170°C to generate 5.6 MW of electrical energy, to later return it to the geothermal reservoir by means of reinjection into a well located at 1.5 km from the plant.

Read More.........

From the Global Geothermal News archives:

• Thursday, March 7, 2019 - Bolivia: Spanish Company and Ormat Win Tender for Construction of 5 MW Sol de Mañana Geothermal Pilot Plant

USA, California: Breaking Ground at Hell’s Kitchen Lithium-Geothermal Project

Update on Hell’s Kitchen Lithium-Geothermal Project - Controlled Thermal Resources US Inc. (LinkedIn)

"A great day for Controlled Thermal Resources (CTR). We’re delighted to report that preliminary works commenced on site today in preparation for CTR’s Hell’s Kitchen Lithium-Geothermal Project in Imperial Valley, California.

After years of dedicated planning and an incredible effort from our team and project partners, it's fantastic to see the first soil turned."

Read More.........

From the Global Geothermal News archives:

• Thursday, March 14, 2019 - USA, California: Controlled Thermal Resources Updates on Hell's Kitchen Lithium - Geothermal Project
• Wednesday, October 24, 2018 - USA, California: Combined 275 MW Geothermal Power and Lithium Manufacturing Plant Project Announced
• Tuesday, October 23, 2018 - USA, California: Controlled Thermal Resources Announces Partnership to Produce Lithium at Hell's Kitchen Geothermal Project
• Monday, February 13, 2017 - USA, California: Drilling at Hell's Kitchen Geothermal Power Project Could Begin in May
• Wednesday, January 25, 2017 - USA, California: More Details of Proposed 750 MW Geothermal Energy / Lithium Mining Project at Salton Sea