USA, California: Registration Opens for Short Courses on Codes Used in Simulating Multiphase Fluid and Heat Flow and Transport in Porous and Fractured Media

2020 TOUGH Short Courses: Registration Now Open (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory - Earth and Environmental Sciences Area)

Registration for the 2020 TOUGH Short Courses is now open! Courses will be held this February at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California.

The following courses are offered:

• TOUGH Beginner’s Course
  (February 13-15, all day on Feb 13-14; half day on Saturday, Feb 15) (Draft Agenda) 
• TOUGHREACT Course
  (February 17-19, all day on Feb 17-18; half day on Wednesday, Feb 19) (Draft Agenda) 
• iTOUGH2 Course
  (February 17-19, three full days) (Draft Agenda) 
• TREACTMECH Course (Feb 19-21, half day on Wednesday, Feb 19; full days on Feb 20-21) (Draft Agenda) 

The TOUGH family of codes is used for simulating multiphase fluid and heat flow and transport in porous and fractured media. The suite of TOUGH simulators has been applied to a wide range of studies involving the geological disposal of nuclear waste, geological CO² sequestration, geothermal energy development, oil and gas production, environmental remediation and unsaturated zone hydrology. While ongoing development of TOUGH continues to expand modeling capabilities and incorporate increasingly complex processes, such as those associated with reactive chemistry (TOUGHREACT) and gas-hydrate dissociation (TOUGH+Hydrate), knowledge of the basic TOUGH modeling concepts serves as an important foundation. 

Please note: The last day to register for courses is January 13, 2020.

Register.........

USA, Washington D.C.: Geothermal Technologies Office Seeking Merit Reviewers

Looking to Get Involved in Geothermal Research? The Geothermal Technologies Office is Seeking Merit Reviewers

Over the past several years, the Geothermal Technologies Office (GTO) has funded a number of successful programs and initiatives. The office's annual appropriations budget - and its quantity of research - continues to grow. That means more opportunities for geothermal stakeholders to get involved as merit reviewers.

Qualified reviewers cover a wide gamut, representing academic, industrial, and government sectors. Ideal candidates include engineers, scientists, and management professionals (particularly those with financial or policy backgrounds) from the geothermal, oil and gas, and mining industries. Specific areas of expertise include:

• Geosciences, geophysics, and geochemistry
• Geomechanics and fracture mechanics 
• Subsurface exploration, resource management, and production 
• Direct-use heating and cooling systems 
• Rare earth and critical materials 
• Data analysis, computational modeling, and machine learning 

Interested? If you'd like to get involved, please submit a brief introduction that includes your area(s) of expertise and current resume to DOE.geothermal@ee.doe.gov. As a final note, you are encouraged to share this message with colleagues you think might be good candidates.

Best regards,
Susan Hamm, PhD
Director, Geothermal Technologies Office

Netherlands: Trias Westland Launches Trading System for Geothermal Heat

Netherlands: Smart trading geothermal energy starts at Trias Westland (Horti Daily)


(Video 1:12 minutes)

Recently the first smart network at Trias Westland went live, making it possible to trade geothermal energy between participating customers. By combining advanced web applications with real-time measurement & control techniques in the Trias Westland heat network, Anexo has delivered a working smart network.

Immediately after completion of the trade functionalities, the first participants already found each other and the heat was delivered to the right place by the control system. In addition to this smart heat network, Anexo had already created similar smart networks for gas and electricity.

With E-Web Geo, it becomes possible to optimize a geothermal heat source by trading geothermal heat between the connected parties. The heat can be exchanged with each other. In this way, the supply and demand can be aligned and prevented that too much heat disappears back into the source or that there is a shortage.

E-Web Geo offers an online trading platform, with which the customer can sell heat (to a participant) when it’s not needed and can buy it (from the source or a participant) in case more is needed.

This optimization of energy management per participant means a better heat distribution for the source holder and an optimization of the sustainable production of heat. And with that, also optimized subsidy income.

The approximately 25 affiliated participants receive more heat for the same price or the same heat for a lower price, says Anexo. E-Web Geo facilitates the source holder so that the traded heat can be properly paid for.

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

Climate Change: Counterbalance Increasing Emissions With Renewable Sources

Global carbon emissions growth slows, but hits record high (Stanford University)

Coal use is down dramatically in the United States and the European Union, and renewable energy is gaining traction. But rising natural gas and oil use in 2019 increased the world’s carbon dioxide emissions modestly for a third straight year.

The runaway train that is climate change is about to blow past another milestone: global fossil-fuel carbon dioxide emissions will reach yet another record high. Driven by rising natural gas and oil consumption, levels of CO² are expected to hit 37 billion metric tons this year, according to new estimates from the Global Carbon Project, an initiative led by Stanford University scientist Rob Jackson.

To counterbalance increasing emissions, the researchers call for stronger national policies and global commitments to help institute carbon pricing, accelerate energy efficiency improvements, reduce energy consumption, deploy electric vehicles, ramp up carbon capture and storage technologies and replace fossil fuels with renewable sources.

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

Europe: Fact-Sheet on Geothermal Lithium Potential in the EU

Geothermal Energy: Embedding lithium production and clean energy-value chains in the EU (EGEC)

Developing competitive value-chains in a mission-orientated EU industrial strategy must be a central goal of the European Green Deal. Priority should be given to activities that provide multiple benefits such as increased investment in deep geothermal energy production and geothermal lithium plants. Download factsheet.........

United Kingdom: Geothermal Energy Can Bring Significant Benefits

UK geothermal: boiling beneath the surface (Future Power Technology)

The UK’s geothermal potential has been known for decades. While high cost and fears over its connection to seismic activity has historically made investors wary, a new push for the resource is on the horizon.

British Geological Survey (BGS) researchers joined geologists from across the country in a report published in Petroleum Geoscience, which urges energy providers to turn their focus to this untapped resource, labelling geothermal energy, carbon capture and storage, and bioenergy with carbon capture and storage as ‘critical’ to moving the UK towards its target.

While it seems geothermal remains too site-specific to be rolled out on a nation-wide level, findings from the BGS indicate that the resource could still bring significant benefits to the UK, and with the right research in place, the country could gain a leading spot in this budding global industry.

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

Climate Change: More Companies Commit to Renewable Energy

Companies with more greenhouse gas emissions than France and Spain combined reducing emissions by 35%, in line with the Paris Agreement (News Release)

As world leaders meet in Madrid this week, with one year left until countries are expected to submit enhanced climate targets to keep the Paris Agreement on track, a significant portion of the private sector is already delivering on the 2015 global climate accord.

285 companies responsible for more than 752 million metric tons of CO² equivalent emissions per year from their operations—more than the combined annual emissions of France and Spain—have set greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets in line with what science says is required to avert dangerous climate change and meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. 76 of these companies’ goals are in line with limiting warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

A new report published today by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) reveals that by meeting their targets, these 285 companies will reduce their emissions by 265 million metric tons of CO² equivalent, approximately equivalent to shutting down 68 coal-fired power plants. This represents a 35% reduction in companies’ emissions compared to their base year emissions.

In the European energy sector, the list includes Spain-based Acciona, Iberdrola and Red Electrica de Espana, Dutch firm Eneco, Italy's Enel, Portugal's Energias de Portugal, Orsted in Denmark, Sweden's Vattenfall and Austria'sVerbund.

The group also includes household names from the industrial and consumer goods sectors including BT, Coca-Cola,Deutsche Telekom, Hewlett Packard, McDonalds, Microsoft, Nestle, Nike, Sumitomo Chemicals, Thyssenkrupp and Unilever.

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

USA, Texas: New Geothermal Entrepreneurship Organization Launched at University of Texas at Austin to Help Advance Geothermal Energy Industry

Drilling for Clean Energy: New Initiative Positions Texas as Geothermal Energy Leader (The University of Texas at Austin)

(Video 0:30 Seconds)

With a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, the Cockrell School of Engineering is launching a unique initiative that aims to make The University of Texas at Austin a national hub for geothermal energy expertise and startups. The new Geothermal Entrepreneurship Organization (GEO) will bring together engineers, researchers and entrepreneurs to develop technologies and launch companies to help advance the geothermal energy industry.

The organization, led by Jamie Beard and Bob Metcalfe of the Cockrell School’s Innovation Center, aims to leverage areas of excellence in geosystems and drilling engineering at UT to spur geothermal technology development and maturation. The effort will engage all groups with relevant expertise within the Cockrell School, UT’s Jackson School of Geosciences, the Bureau of Economic Geology, the College of Natural Sciences and the university’s more than 20 energy research centers. Beard and Metcalfe plan to complement that expertise with the vast community of entrepreneurial talent across campus and in Austin.

“It’s a straightforward concept. Drilling technically complex, high-temperature and high-pressure wells is a core strength of the oil and gas industry. Let’s use all of that learning and expertise to drill for heat — tapping a vast CO2-free, clean energy source,” Beard said. “We want to take advantage of Texas’ existing intellectual capital and leadership in geosciences and drilling to build the future of energy. By leveraging technologies and methodologies developed here over the past century and building upon them with new innovations, Texas can pioneer our clean energy future. And doing this won’t require a moonshot. We can make geothermal energy a ubiquitous utility within a decade.”

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

New Zealand: "World's First Closed-Loop Fully Geothermal Brewery"

Geothermal craft beer brewery coming to Wairakei (New Zealand Herald)

(Courtesy Rogue Bore Brewery)

What happens when an engineer, an entrepreneur and a designer get together? Answer: steam-powered craft beer! Former Contact Energy engineer Mike Blair, wife Llyween Pepper (the designer), and entrepreneur Chloe Walker have just secured the first round of angel investors for the Rogue Bore Brewery, a multi-million dollar geo-brewery among the steam fields at Wairakei, near Taupo.

The product? A geothermal brewery experience with a restaurant, bar and beer tasting located in the steamfield. Keen on brewing his own beer, Mike found his former employers to be incredibly supportive because his endeavours showcased what could be achieved with reusable energy from the geothermal power station at Wairakei.

"Reusable energy is used by big heavy industry, but there is a whole lot of potential for small business," says Mike, who resigned on November 15 to pursue beer making full-time for the Rogue Bore Brewery.

The brewery name comes from the original rogue bore on the Wairakei Steamfield. In 1960, drilling at the site resulted in a catastrophic escape of steam around the drill hole, creating a hole 22 metres deep and 70 metres across. It spent years energetically belching steam visible up to 120km away but is now a benign hole in the ground with tree and foliage-covered slopes.

Chloe Walker and Mike Blair are the founders of the world's first closed-loop fully geothermal brewery. In a nutshell, the energy company has first dibs and they make electricity for the national grid. They want more business lining up for second and even third dibs in what is known as 'cascade heat', where each user takes a few degrees of heat to create energy.

Read More.........

USA, Texas: Oil Country Academics Call for Development of Geothermal Energy

Opinion - Innovations in deep geothermal wells could solve global energy crisis “within a decade” (Houston Chronicle)

By Bob Metcalfe and Jamie Beard, University of Texas at Austin.

Sunny Day at Ngatamariki, by Ralph Winmill.
GRC Photo Contest 2019.

Geothermal heat has the potential to solve the looming global energy crisis, not only in the short term but for good. But first, we must prioritize research and development that enables access to enough geothermal heat to meet demand. The potential return on investment? Near limitless and clean power for the entire world.

If we leverage high temperature and pressure technologies that have been developed during the past century in the oil and gas industry and focus on innovation to improve upon those technologies, we could drill for geothermal energy anywhere in the world. Drilling complex, very hot and very deep wells is what the oil and gas industry does best. Existing technologies paired with new innovations aimed at driving down drilling costs can be leveraged to enable drilling approximately 6 miles deep for geothermal energy anywhere in the world. Geothermal baseload is doable within a decade.

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

China: Host Country for World Geothermal Congress in 2023

IGA Board votes for China to be the host of the World Geothermal Congress 2023 (News Release)

(Courtesy CIA.gov)

The International Geothermal Association (IGA) is pleased to announce that China will be the host of the World Geothermal Congress 2023.

The IGA Board has voted for China after careful evaluation of three bid books coming from China, Italy and Russia. The voting was done after presentations to the Board in Auckland, New Zealand on November 28, 2019. The Board sincerely thanks all three candidates for their commitment and interest in hosting the next World Geothermal Congress and appreciated the presentations of the bid book whilst convening in Auckland for Board meeting #71.

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

USA, California: Call for Abstracts for High-Temperature Well Cementing Workshop - Deadline now December 16

Joint GRC-SPE Workshop: High-Temperature Well Cementing

“Exploring Geothermal and Oil & Gas Synergies”

March 30 - April 1, 2020,
San Diego, California, USA

Call for Abstracts - Deadline extended to December 16

Geothermal wells experience high temperatures at very shallow depths and are required to cement casing across the entire length of each casing string set in the well. Our joint workshop will enable both industries to share their experiences, technologies, technical procedures and best practices on this important aspect of well completion.

The Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) together with the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) invite you to present your latest technical work in High-Temperature Well Cementing at the special joint workshop.

The draft agenda, abstract submission, hotel reservations, and more, can be found on our new website.........

Please submit your abstracts to Estela Smith at grc@geothermal.org. Call 530.758.2360 ext 102.

Deadline for submission of abstracts is now December 16th, 2019.

Call for Abstracts........

USA, Nevada: Geothermal Event! Call for Papers

Geothermal Resources Council - Call For Papers

Draft Paper Submission Due: May 27, 2020

The Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) invites you to present your latest technical work in geothermal research, exploration, policy, development and utilization at GRC’s 44th Annual Meeting & Expo.

International participation is an important part of the success of the GRC Annual Meeting technical programs and we encourage geothermal researchers and experts from the USA and around the world to submit their work for consideration to be presented at the GRC Reno2020.

Learn more...........

USA, California: Employment Opportunity as Geothermal Geologist

Vacancy - Geothermal Geologist Position

Horizon Well Logging, Inc., a California-based company in business for 26 years, is currently expanding due to high industry demand for our premier geothermal well logging services. Now hiring qualified graduates in geology interested in geothermal formation logging for domestic and international drilling projects within the geothermal sector of the energy industry. Seeking experienced igneous petrologists. We have an excellent reputation, are a progressive company, and offer competitive compensation with benefits.

Qualifications for Interested Applicants:

• College degree in geological sciences
• Effective computer, communication, and mechanical skills
• Work well interpersonally, as a member of an integrated team
• Strong work ethic, attention to detail with precision and accuracy
• Have passport for travel internationally (not mandatory)
• Able to work in remote locations for extended time periods
• Available for hire, training and work assignment

Send resume and cover letter to Hiring Manager Cary Bean at: cbean@horizonwells.com or (707) 548-3422

USA, California: Employment Opportunity as Geothermal Wireline Manager/Production Engineer at The Geysers

Vacancy - Wireline Manager/Production Engineer (Calpine at The Geysers)

Location: Middletown, California, USA

Calpine’s Resource Group helps with the maintenance and development of the Geysers resource field in Northern California.

As an integral part of the team that monitors the geothermal resource, the Production Engineer/Wireline Manager will work with the production analysis team to help maximize production at the Geysers by:

1. analyzing production and injection data, 
2. collaborating with other Resource and Operations professionals to create reservoir management solutions, and
3. plan and operate the day-to-day operations of the Wireline Crew to help with resolving production issues and maintaining regulatory compliance. 

The ideal candidate will have had experience in field operations as well as data-driven analysis for reservoir and production optimization.

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

Canada: Two Day Geothermal Conference in Edmonton, Alberta

1st Inaugural Canadian Geothermal Summit 2020 (UAlberta Geothermal Research Group)

Commercialization and research of Canada's vast geothermal resources

September 9-10, 2020, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

• Two Days of Powerful Talks
• One Day of Short Courses
• Round table discussions
• Industry Panels 
• Networking Opportunities
• Student Presentation Sessions 

This conference is a multidisciplinary meeting dedicated to sharing knowledge into the development of geothermal resources in Canada and the export of Canadian geothermal expertise to global markets. Topics will include: Geology, engineering, policy, regulation, economics, social license issues. We are soliciting participation from both the public and private sectors including government officials, oil and gas industry, geothermal developers, consultants, academics and non-government agencies.

More Information........

United Kingdom: Webinar on Geothermal Heat from Abandoned Coal Mines in Scotland

Minewater Geothermal in Scotland: An international opportunity (Scottish Enterprise)

Wednesday, January 29, 2020. 6:00 AM - 7:30 AM PST

The decarbonisation of heat in Scotland is a major opportunity for international trade and inward investment. Heat currently accounts for 52% of Scotland’s energy demand and 41% (indicative) of carbon emissions. As a result, meeting the target to reach zero by 2045 will be largely dependent in progress on decarbonising heat. By 2032, the Scottish Government target is for 35% of heat for domestic buildings and 70% of heat and cooling for non-domestic buildings to be supplied using low carbon heat technologies, where technically feasible.The combination of high heat consumption (as a proportion of total nation energy consumption) and highly ambitious greenhouse gas targets means that Scotland has an earlier and greater need for low carbon heating solutions than other countries.

Minewater geothermal is potentially a crucial technology for the decarbonisation of Scotland's heat supply. 600km3 of flooded mineworkings sit under Scotland's populated Central Belt region, potentially providing between 8-40% of national heat demand.

This webinar will provide an overview of Scotland's net zero ambitions, introduce a world leading geothermal testing facility in Glasgow, and provide an overview of Scotland's unique minewater geothermal investment opportunity.

The following speakers are confirmed:

• Andy McDonald, Head of Low Carbon at Scottish Enterprise
• Professor Zoe Shipton, Professor of Geological Engineering at the University of Strathclyde
• Dr Alison Monaghan, Geologist at the British Geological Survey

Register...........

USA, Alaska: Company Formed to Develop Geothermal Resource on Aleutian Island

Makushin Volcano could provide energy to Unalaska (Alaska Public Media)

After decades of false starts, geothermal power may be coming to Unalaska.

The Ounalashka Corporation and Fairbanks-based Chena Power, LLC have formed a company to develop a geothermal project at Makushin Volcano.

With city backing, Ounalashka/Chena Power is pursuing a U.S. Department of Energy loan worth $350-500 million.

Salts said that funding would allow the project to move forward at no expense or risk to the city. He also said the company will use existing research performed at Makushin over the last 60 years, meaning further feasibility investigations aren’t necessary.

A test well drilled in the 1980s revealed a hot-water reservoir that could generate at least 12 megawatts of electricity, or enough to heat around 10,000 homes.

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

USA, Nevada: Endangered Toad May Affect Dixie Valley Geothermal Power Project

Geothermal plant vs. rare Nevada toad (Elko Daily)

(Courtesy Mike Wolterbeek)

Environmentalists are warning that a planned geothermal energy plant in Northern Nevada could threaten the habitat of a rare toad.

The future of a big-eyed, freckled creature known as the Dixie Valley toad is at the center of an expected fight as environmentalists seek federal protection for the amphibian, the Las Vegas Sun reports.

The toad, whose existence was unknown until a couple of years ago, lives around the thermal springs on the western edge of the Dixie Valley Playa, east of Reno. It's one of 274 imperiled species — 25 of them in Nevada — at the center of legal action initiated last month under the Endangered Species Act.

Ormat Technologies, the company that plans to build the geothermal energy plant, has proposed mitigation strategies to protect the toad's habitat.

Read More.........

From the Global Geothermal News archives:

• Monday, July 2, 2018 - USA, Nevada: Endangered Toad May Affect Dixie Valley Geothermal Power Project
• Thursday, June 8, 2017 - USA, Nevada: Environmental Assessment for Dixie Meadows Geothermal Project - Public Comment Period Extended
• Monday, January 23, 2012 - USA, Nevada: BLM Signs Decision Record for Dixie Geothermal Project

Indonesia: Sokoria Geothermal Power Plant to Begin First 5 MW Phase of Operations in February

5 MW geothermal plant in Flores set for operation early next year (Jakarta Post)

(Courtesy PLN)

The Sokoria geothermal power plant on Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara province is slated to begin the first phase of operations in February next year.

Power producer Sokoria Geothermal Indonesia and state-owned utility company PLN said in a joint statement on Sunday that the plant would have an initial production capacity of 5 megawatts (MW), with a gradual increase in capacity to 30 MW by 2024.

“We are drilling up till our seventh well. Construction is still on schedule and we are certain that we’ll begin operating in February 2020,” said Sokoria head of corporate affairs Syahrini Nuryanti.

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

Germany: The Potential for Geothermal Heat and Electricity

Aiming for Climate Targets, Germany Taps Its Geothermal Potential (Yale Environment 360)

The German state of Bavaria is embracing an ambitious program of tapping into geothermal reservoirs, with Munich hoping to make its heating system carbon-neutral by 2040. But given the expense of geothermal power, can it ever rival wind and solar as a renewable energy source?

“Munich realized that it can’t hit climate targets unless it addresses heating, and Bavaria has deep thermal water flows between the Alps and the Danube that are ideal for geoenergy,” explains Michael Solic of Stadtwerke München, the city’s municipal utility. While the Alps’ geological conditions favor geothermal energy, the growing exploitation of this renewable resource in Bavaria shows that many other regions worldwide could tap into geothermal sources to heat homes and buildings and to generate electricity, Solic says.

Read More.........

Republic of Ireland: Eire Aims for 70% Renewable Energy by 2030

Ireland unveils plan for 70 per cent renewable energy by 2030 (RenewEconomy)

Ireland has published the details of its long-awaited Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) this week, finally unveiling details around how the country will look to increase its share of renewable energy capacity to 70% by 2030.

The RESS follows on from Ireland’s Climate Action Plan, published in June, and sets out a pathway across every sector which will move the country to 70% renewable electricity by 2030.

The plan currently will see four (possibly five) auctions held between 2020 and 2027 to deliver on the targets which will open bidding to a variety of technologies.

The first round will seek to procure 1,000 GWh of renewable energy power and will be launched by year’s end or early 2020. This will be followed by the second auction round with 3,000 GWh on offer in 2020, with further auctions scheduled for 2021, 2023, and 2025 to allocate 3,000 GWh, 4,000 GWh, and 2,500 GWh of capacity, respectively.

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

Climate Change: Concentrations of Carbon Dioxide in the Atmosphere Hit Record Level

2019 concludes a decade of exceptional global heat and high-impact weather (WMO)

The year 2019 concludes a decade of exceptional global heat, retreating ice and record sea levels driven by greenhouse gases from human activities. Average temperatures for the five-year (2015-2019) and ten-year (2010-2019) periods are almost certain to be the highest on record. 2019 is on course to be the second or third warmest year on record, according to the World Meteorological Organization.

The WMO provisional statement on the State of the Global Climate, says that the global average temperature in 2019 (January to October) was about 1.1 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial period.

Concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere hit a record level of 407.8 parts per million in 2018 and continued to rise in 2019. CO² lasts in the atmosphere for centuries and the ocean for even longer, thus locking in climate change.

Read More........

Europe: Entries Now Accepted for Ruggero Bertani Geothermal Innovation Award

Geothermal innovation award 2020 (EGEC)

Applications for the award 2020 are now open and can be submitted until 14th January 2020. Applications will be assessed on grounds of originality, innovation, reliability, reduction of emissions, and improvements in energy output.

The Ruggero Bertani Geothermal Innovation Award is awarded annually to European entities which have made an outstanding contribution towards the field of geothermal energy in the form of innovative products, scientific research or project initiatives developed or released within the previous year. It is the seal of excellence applied to the most intelligent and important ideas in research and industry which will play a key role in the future development of geothermal energy.

The award is organised jointly by EGEC Geothermal and Messe Offenburg, organisers of the GeoTHERM fair and congress.

The jury for this edition is composed of Miklos Antics (France), Sandra Kircher (Germany), Fausto Batini (Italy), Adele Manzella (Italy), Javier Urchueguia (Spain).

The winner will be announced on 5th March 2020 at GeoTHERM, Offenburg, Germany.

For any enquiry, please contact egia@egec.org

Apply..........

Support Your Geothermal Energy Association - Support the Geothermal Energy Community

'Tis The Season For Giving

The Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) is a non-profit professional association that relies on support from generous people like you. By donating to the GRC, you are helping support our geothermal community through education, outreach, and dissemination of research across local, national and global society.

Any amount is welcome and any support is appreciated. There are six different funds that you can donate to. All donations are tax deductible.

On behalf of our community, we would like to thank you for helping advance the geothermal industry!

Donate Online.........                     Donation Form.........

Science & Technology: Enel Launches Competition for Method to Economically Extract Lithium from Geothermal Brine

Brinemine – Extracting lithium and other valuable minerals from geothermal brines (Enel Green Power)

Challenge Expiration Date: December 31, 2019
Reward: $30,000

The global demand for lithium salts, the raw material for lithium-ion batteries, has increased significantly in recent years as a result of technological advancements in electronic devices and electric cars requiring high energy-density batteries. Traditional sources of lithium are quickly being depleted and alternative supplies must be explored. One potential source is the fluid used in geothermal power plants, known as geothermal brine, but extraction of lithium from such fluids has proven challenging due to several factors including the presence of other salts in the brine (that can be valuable as well). Enel is looking for novel methods and technologies to economically extract lithium and other valuable minerals.

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

Belgium: Drilling Commences at Janssen Pharmaceutica Geothermal Project

Drilling begins at the Janssen Pharmaceutica Project in Beerse, Belgium (Erdwerk)

On Sunday December 1, 2019 drilling commenced for the first of two wells for the Janssen Pharmaceutica geothermal project in Beerse, Belgium.

With a target depth of over 2000m vertical, the first well (GT-02 Injection Well) will target the Dinantian Reservoir.

Driven by Johnson & Johnson's pledge to reduce carbon emissions by 20% by 2020 and 80% by 2050, Janssen is looking to become the first industrial developer of a geothermal project in Belgium.

Erdwerk is proud to have been involved in the project since its inception and shall have a full time supervision presence on the drilling site for the duration of drilling and testing.

More project information here: https://www.erdwerk.com/en/beerse

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

Canada: Workshop on Geothermal Technologies

Geothermal Technology in Canada: Future Pathways Workshop (Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Energy)

23-24 January, 2020, Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Energy, Ontario, Canada

This 1.5 day workshop will be held at the University of Waterloo and will explore current activity in all geothermal technologies including high temperature steam-based systems, hot sedimentary fluids systems, enhanced geothermal systems in low permeability igneous and sedimentary rocks, and shallow, ground-source heat pump geothermal systems. These may be co-generation systems (e.g heat use as well as power generation), coupled with other energy systems (heat storage from other sources), and novel applications or projects.

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

Science & Technology: Project to Improve Efficiency of Geothermal Heat Exchangers

Geohex - Towards Enhanced Heat Exchangers Performance (News Release)

Geothermal is accredited as a flexible resource in the renewable energy mix with the need for an unprecedented pace to cost reduction. The geothermal power plants, due to the inherently harsh environments, are constantly under threat from corrosion and scaling issues resulting in high operational and maintenance costs. Unsurprisingly, heat exchangers, whether direct heat exchangers or Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC), are under constant threat from geothermal brine corrosion and scaling issues and measures are needed to enhance the performance and sustainability.

Project GeoHex, as part of the EC call to develop next generation of renewable energy technologies, aims to develop heat exchanger (HX) materials addressing both the improvements in the anti-scaling and anti-corrosion properties, as well as, the heat transfer performance of the HX material leading to more efficient and cost-effective systems. The project kicked-off on 20-21st November and will run for a period of 36 months.

GeoHex will rely on the use low cost carbon steel as base material for HX. Through modifying the surface with nano porous coating and controlling the surface chemistry (along with the surface structure), GeoHex will significantly improve the heat transfer performance of single phase and phase change heat transfer process respectively. The project relies on the use of Ni-P/Ni-P-PTFE duplex and amorphous metal glass coating to attribute the anti-scaling & anti-corrosion properties to the low-cost carbon steel substrate.

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

Greece: New National Energy Plan Mandates 100 MW of Geothermal Capacity by 2030

Greece aims to install 5 GW of PV by 2030 (PV Magazine)

Greece’s new strategy for its energy sector and the climate builds on an earlier version of the plan that was published in January by the previous government. However the authorities have tweaked the plan significantly to provide for the new government’s pledge to phase out coal by 2028.

The plan now requires renewables to supply 35% of Greece’s final energy consumption in 2030, up from 31% in the previous plan. Of this, renewable energy systems are set to account for a staggering 61% of Greece’s electricity consumption by 2030. Renewables will also provide 43% of Greece’s heating and cooling and 19% of its transportation needs by the end of the coming decade.

Greece’s new national energy plan mandates 7.7 GW of cumulative solar PV capacity by 2030, 7 GW of cumulative wind power capacity, in addition to 3.7 GW of hydropower, 300 MW of biomass and biogas, and 100 MW of geothermal capacity.

Read More.........

From the Global Geothermal News archives:

• Thursday, November 15, 2018 - Greece: Government Plans for Nearly 2000 GWh of Geothermal Energy by 2040

Iceland: Hellisheiði Geothermal Power Plant Carbfix Operations Spun-Off from Parent Company

CarbFix as a subsidiary (News Release)

Hellisheiði Geothermal Power Plant
(Courtesy Reykjavík Energy)

The Board of Directors of Reykjavík Energy (OR) has approved, subject to the confirmation of OR’s owners, to establish a public limited company (PLC) around CarbFix operations. The CarbFix process has been successfully operated at the Hellisheiði Geothermal Power Plant in recent years. The aim by separating CarbFix operations from the core activities of OR are;

• further supporting climate action by providing interested parties in Iceland and abroad the opportunity to reduce their carbon footprint with the CarbFix process.
• preventing growing CarbFix activities from interfering with other research and innovation projects within OR.
• limit and mitigate the financial risks of the basic services and core activities of OR
• protect the intellectual property rights of CarbFix.

The pending PLC will be entirely owned by OR.

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

Indonesia: 5 MW First Phase of Sokoria Geothermal Project to Start Up in February

PLTP Sokoria di NTT Ditargetkan Beroperasi Pada Februari 2020 - Sokoria's PLTP in NTT is Targeted to Begin Operations in February 2020 (Tribun News)

Jika tidak ada aral melintang, Pembangkit Listrik Tenaga Panas Bumi (PLTP) Sokoria, Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT) ditargetkan bisa beroperasi pada Februari 2020. Nantinya, pembangkit yang akan menghasilkan listrik sebesar 5 megawatt (MW) akan diserap oleh PT Perusahaan listrik Negara (PLN) untuk memenuhi kebutuhan elektrifikasi di Flores. Manager Unit Pelaksana Pembangkitan (UPK) Flores PLN Unit Induk Wilayah NTT Lambok R Siregar, mengatakan, saat ini progres pembangunannya sudah mencapai 50 persen.

(From Google Translate) If nothing gets in the way, the Geothermal Power Plant (PLTP) in Sokoria, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) is targeted to begin operations in February 2020. Later, the power plant that will produce 5 megawatts (MW) will be absorbed by PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) to meet the electrification needs in Flores. Lambok R Siregar, Manager of the NTT Generation Unit (UPK) Flores PLN of the NTT Main Unit, said that the development progress has now reached 50 percent. 

Baca lebih lajut.........                          Read More.........

Switzerland: Second Phase of Exploratory Drilling Underway at Geneva Geothermal District Heating Project

Genève veut se chauffer à la géothermie - Geneva wants to heat itself with geothermal energy (Le Messager)

L’État de Genève et les Services industriels de Genève (SIG) démarrent un deuxième forage exploratoire qui descendra jusqu’à 1 130 mètres, à Lully (commune de Bernex). Le premier forage exploratoire s’était fait à Satigny. Celui de Lully, un des plus profonds jamais creusés à Genève, est réalisé dans le cadre du programme GEothermie 2020. Il a pour but de contribuer à atteindre les objectifs fixés par le canton de Genève en matière d’énergie thermique.

(From Google Translate) The State of Geneva and Geneva Industrial Services (GIS) are starting on a second phase of exploratory drilling, which will go down to 1,130 meters at Lully (Bernex commune). The first exploratory drilling was done in Satigny. The well in Lully, one of the deepest ever dug in Geneva, is carried out within the framework of the GEothermie 2020 program. Its goal is to contribute to achieving the objectives set by the canton of Geneva in thermal energy.

Lire la suite........                                Read More........

From Global Geothermal News archives:

• Monday, February 11, 2019 - Science & Technology: Unlocking Geothermal Resources With High-Resolution 3D Modelling
• Tuesday, June 12, 2018 - Switzerland: Promising Results from Geneva Geothermal District Heating Project
• Friday, November 17, 2017 - Switzerland: Geothermal District Heating Project Starts in Geneva

Canada: GRC Board Member Starts Up Geothermal Development Company

Conte GeoEnergy: New Geothermal Development Company (Geothermal Canada)

Geothermal Canada’s Treasurer, Dr. Jeffrey Witter (a GRC Board Member), has started a new geothermal development company with two business partners called Conte GeoEnergy.

Conte GeoEnergy Ltd. specializes in the exploration, planning and development of utility-scale geothermal energy facilities. Conte works with its partners to identify locations where quality geothermal resources can be efficiently and economically deployed to meet demand for near zero-emission baseload renewable power. Conte’s team has considerable experience advancing energy projects in British Columbia, including on behalf of First Nations.

For more information, please visit their website.........

An interview with Jeff Witter was published in the last GRC Bulletin:

A New Boost for the Geothermal Industry In British Columbia? - New insights from the past could re-ignite the South Meager Geothermal project [September/October 2019 Bulletin] by members of the GRC Student Committee.

United Kingdom: Contractor to Assist Testing Two Geothermal Wells at United Downs Deep Geothermal Power Project

Vacancy - Contractor at United Downs Deep Geothermal Power (UDDGP) Project (GEL)

Geothermal Engineering Ltd is seeking a contractor to assist with testing two geothermal wells at the United Downs Deep Geothermal Power (UDDGP) project, Cornwall, UK.

Geothermal Engineering Ltd (GEL) is looking to appoint a contractor to plan and operate a number of pump and injection tests on two deep geothermal wells recently drilled at the United Downs site in Cornwall.

The project is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund. The closing date for the applications is the 24th of January 2020.

For further details and technical requirements please contact Jonathan Beynon: jonathan.beynon@geothermalengineering.co.uk

More Information.........

Indonesia: 86 MW Rantau Dedap Geothermal Project Due to Open Next Year

Harvesting Sumatra’s clean energy (Mott MacDonald)

The new Rantau Dedap geothermal power plant is delivering a lasting social dividend, as well as 90 MW of carbon-free electricity.

Indonesian power producer Supreme Energy’s search for a suitable location took it to Rantau Dedap in the Muara Enim regency and Pagar Alam city administrative area, a region of South Sumatra inhabited by fewer than 10,000 people.

Due to open in 2020, the geothermal power plant is expected to generate more than 90 MW of electricity, enough for up to 130,000 households across the region, and to reduce CO2 emissions by more than 400,000t each year.

Our close co-operation with the people of Tunggul Bute and the project’s other stakeholders means we’re confident that, when the plant begins generating electricity and our role is finished, we will leave behind a stronger, more prosperous community.

Read More.........

From the Global Geothermal News archives:

• Monday, August 6, 2018 - Indonesia: Drilling Starts at 86 MW Rantau Dedap Geothermal Project
• Tuesday, June 26, 2018 - Indonesia: Loan Agreement Signed to Help Fund 98.4 MW Rantau Dedap Geothermal Power Project
• Wednesday, March 28, 2018 - Indonesia: ADB Funding for 86 MW Rantau Dedap Geothermal Project
• Thursday, January 11, 2018 - Indonesia: Drilling of Wells at 86 MW Rantau Dedap Geothermal Project to Begin Mid-Year
• Tuesday, November 21, 2017 - Indonesia: PLN Signs PPA for 86 MW from Rantau Dedap Geothermal Power Plant

Philippines: Kalinga Geothermal Power Project On Track to Complete Exploration Phase

Future of Kalinga Geothermal Project unclear as exploration phase ends (Malaysia Sun)

The Kalinga Geothermal Project (KGP) is on track to complete the exploration phase with the drilling of two slim-hole wells.

The Department of Energy (DOE) awarded the Renewable Energy Geothermal Service Contract to proponents Aragorn Power and Energy Corporation (APEC) and Guidance Management Corporation (GMC) on March 25, 2010 with a contract area of 26,139 hectares, spread out over the municipalities of Pasil, Lubuagan and Tinglayan.

Victor Dugan of the KGP project team said that there are various phases of geothermal exploration and development which, with the successful completion of the current exploration drilling, will hopefully allow for the declaration of commerciality and eventual field development.

He said that the results from resource assessment studies and exploration drilling will serve as basis in determining commerciality of the project.

Read More.........

From the Global Geothermal News archives:

• Monday, March 18, 2019 - Philippines: Kalinga Geothermal Power Project Almost Ready to Start Drilling
• Wednesday, March 6, 2019 - Philippines: Grid Impact Study for 120 MW Kalinga Geothermal Power Project Green-Lighted
• Monday, October 15, 2018 - Philippines: Drilling at 100 MW Kalinga Geothermal Project to Start in 2019
• Monday, August 20, 2018 - Philippines: Kalinga Geothermal Prospect "an Energy Project of National Significance"
• Monday, September 22, 2014 - Philippines: APC Group Set to Drill Two Wells in Kalinga Geothermal Prospect
• Wednesday, June 19, 2013 - Philippines: APC to Invest $300m in Geothermal Project in Kalinga Province

United Kingdom: Project to Bring Geothermal Power From Iceland to Great Britain Hits a Roadblock

Edi Truell’s Iceland geothermal dream runs out of power (The Times)

Entrepreneur Edi Truell’s attempts to win state support for a power cable between Iceland and Britain have been dashed again by ministers.

Business secretary Andrea Leadsom and energy minister Kwasi Kwarteng are understood to have spurned Truell’s £2.5bn plans for the cable, which he hopes will transmit clean geothermal energy from Iceland over a 1,000-mile sub-sea cable.

Truell, who made his fortune as the founder of private equity firm Duke Street, wants a government guarantee to underpin his project. Truell has repeatedly asked ministers to provide a contract for difference, which would guarantee a minimum price for the connector’s electricity for about 35 years.

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

From the Global Geothermal News archives:

• Monday, June 25, 2018 - United Kingdom: Hurdles Remain for Project to Bring Geothermal Power From Iceland to Great Britain
• Monday, May 1, 2017 - Iceland: Electricity from New Geothermal Energy Resource Looks for the Best Market
• Friday, October 21, 2016 - United Kingdom, Iceland: Cable to Deliver Geothermal Energy to UK Could be Delayed by European Exit
• Wednesday, July 13, 2016 - Iceland: About 1,400 MW Additional Capacity Needed for Undersea Power Cable to Britain
• Tuesday, December 22, 2015 - United Kingdom, Iceland: Overview of Planned Submarine Cable to Deliver Geothermal Electricity

USA: Awards for Research in Subsurface Stress and Lost Circulation in Geothermal Drilling Announced

Energy Department Awards $7 Million for Research in Subsurface Stress and Lost Circulation in Geothermal Drilling (DOE/EERE/GTO)

Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) selected three new projects to receive up to $7 million to research and develop innovative technologies that will reduce the cost of geothermal drilling operations and field development, which is a key step toward achieving geothermal energy’s full resource potential as outlined in the DOE GeoVision study. The selected projects will focus on two significant barriers: understanding the state of stress in the subsurface, and mitigating lost circulation events (LCEs) in drilling.

The projects selected by the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s Geothermal Technologies Office (GTO) include:

• University of Wisconsin-Madison: WHOLESCALE — Water & Hole Observations Leverage Effective Stress Calculations and Lessen Expenses (Madison, WI): The goal of the WHOLESCALE project is to establish a protocol that can simulate the spatial distribution and temporal evolution of stress in a geothermal system. The team will develop an integrated technology that incorporates and interprets data from four methods of measurement into a multi-physics model that couples hydrological, thermal, and mechanical processes over spatial scales ranging from the diameter of a borehole to the extent of an entire field.
  
• RESPEC: Development of a Directional Cooling Induced Fracturing (DCIF) Technology for Near-Wellbore Stress Estimation in Geothermal Reservoirs (Rapid City, SD): RESPEC will develop a borehole-based stress measurement technology that applies local directional cooling to a borehole wall in a high-temperature geothermal reservoir in order to induce fracturing. This project supports ongoing research into enhanced geothermal systems, in which fracturing techniques are used to form and enhance deep geothermal reservoirs.
  
• Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory: Improved Lost Circulation Management for Geothermal Drilling (Berkeley, CA): Berkeley Lab will review current empirically-driven geothermal and oil and gas lost circulation practices, and identify case studies for the use of lost circulation material and high temperature plugs for a variety of lost circulation scenarios.

The subsurface state of stress dictates fracture networks that provide the required permeability for a geothermal reservoir; thus an increased understanding of the stress state is valuable for siting wells during geothermal energy development. Lost circulation events (LCEs) can occur during drilling when fluids pumped from the rig through downhole drilling equipment are “lost” and flow into geological formations instead of returning to the surface to complete a circulation path. Innovative technologies that characterize subsurface state of stress and mitigate LCE issues will reduce geothermal exploration and drilling costs, making geothermal a more viable and accessible energy source.

The Geothermal Technologies Office works to reduce costs and risks associated with geothermal development by supporting innovative technologies that address key exploration and operational challenges.

Read More.........

Europe: Geothermal News from EGEC

The EGEC Newsletter November 2019 - The Voice of Geothermal in Europe

The November issue of the European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC) Newsletter is now available.

Click here to download. In this issue:

Policy

• Joint Renewable Industry Call: Europe needs to be net-zero carbon by 2050, implementation must start now. 
• Letter to Mr Timmermans, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, outlining key requirements to make the European Green Deal sustainable, inclusive and effective.

News

• Croatia’s first geothermal plant officially inaugurated
• Geothermal ORC units to be set up in demonstration projects in France and Iceland.
• Significant lithium resources confirmed at sites for geothermal projects in Alsace, France

Projects

• GEOENVI - Panorama of sustainability studies for geothermal systems
• GEOENVI - Report on environmental concerns for geothermal – Considering other kinds of renewable energy sources
• GeoPLASMA-CE

Global: Calendar of Geothermal Energy Events

Geothermal Energy Calendar from the Geothermal Resources Council

COP 25 - Climate Change Conference

2-13 December, Madrid, Spain
https://unfccc.int/COP25

American Geophysical Union - Annual Fall Meeting 

9-13 December, San Francisco, California
https://www2.agu.org/en/Fall-Meeting

GT'2020 Türkiye Jeotermal Kongresi
5-6 February, 2020, Ankara, Turkey
https://geothermalturkey.org/

Geothermics for Petroleum Engineers (IGA Academy)
5-6 February, 2020, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
https://www.geothermal-energy.org/event/geothermics-for-petroleum-engineers/

Stanford Geothermal Workshop - 45th Annual

10-12 February, 2020, Stanford, California, USA
https://geothermal.stanford.edu/events/workshop

GEMex Final Conference (GEMex Project)
18-19 February, 2020, Potsdam, Germany
http://www.gemex-h2020.eu/

European Geothermal PhD Days (EGPD 2020)24-26 February, 2020, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey
http://www.pau.edu.tr/egpd2020/en
Geothermal Production Technology (IGA Academy)
4-5 March, 2020, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
https://www.geothermal-energy.org/event/geothermal-production-technology/

GeoTHERM - Expo & Congress
5-6 March, 2020, Messe, Offenburg, Germany
https://www.geotherm-offenburg.de/de/geotherm_messe_kongress_geothermie

Geothermal Project Development, Economics and Risks (IGA Academy)11-12 March, 2020, Basel, Switzerland
https://www.geothermal-energy.org/event/geothermal-project-development-economics-and-risks/

Joint GRC-SPE Workshop - High Temperature Well Cementing

“Exploring Geothermal and Oil and Gas Synergies”

30 March - 1 April, 2020, San Diego, California, USA

https://geothermal.org/cementing.html

9th ITB International Geothermal Workshop 2020
1-2 April, 2020, Bandung, Indonesia.
https://geothermal.itb.ac.id/

World Geothermal Congress 2020

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

Geothermal Regulations, Legislations and Incentives (IGA Academy)
6-7 May 2020, Basel, Switzerland
https://www.geothermal-energy.org/event/geothermal-regulations-legislations-and-incentives/

The 7th International Meeting on Heat Flow and the Geothermal Field
(GFZ German Research Centre for Geoscience)
12-14 May, 2020, Potsdam, Germany
http://www.ihfc-iugg.org/meetings/2020-potsdam

Geothermal Resources in Sedimentary Basins Conference
9-10 September, 2020, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
http://gssb2019.com/

Geothermics for Petroleum Geoscientists (IGA Academy)
16-17 September, 2020, London, UK
https://www.geothermal-energy.org/event/geothermics-for-petroleum-geoscientists/

44th GRC Annual Meeting & Expo

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

Eighth Africa Rift Geothermal Conference (ARGeo-C8)
2-8 November, 2020, UNEP headquarters, Nairobi, Kenya
http://theargeo.org/

COP 26 - Climate Change Conference
9-20 November, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
https://unfccc.int/

Geothermal for Heating and Cooling (IGA Academy)
18-19 November, 2020, Warsaw, Poland
https://www.geothermal-energy.org/event/geothermal-for-heating-and-cooling/

45th GRC Annual Meeting & Expo
3-6 October, 2021, San Diego, California, USA
www.geothermal.org/meet-new.html