Kenya:

Keyna's Largest Geothermal Project Breaks Ground (Engineering News Record)

One of the six Ormat Energy Converter units
comprising the Olkaria Geothermal Plant is pictured.
(Courtesy Emerging Infrastructure Fund)

Kenya's largest geothermal power project has broken ground, with Japan's Toyota Tsusho Corp. and South Korea's Hyundai Engineering serving as the prime contractor.

The project, to be completed by April 2014, will build four additional geothermal power stations with a capacity of 70 MW each at two powerplants, Olkaria I and Olkaria IV, both in Naivasha, 100 kilometers (62 miles) northwest of the capital Nairobi. The project’s technical details were drawn by New Zealand’s Sinclair Knight Merz Ltd.

Spain, Canary Islands:

Your Food Cooked in a Volcano at El Diablo Restaurant (ABC News)

(Courtesy Lanzarote Tourism Board)

The name of the restaurant is El Diablo, or the devil, which kind of fits, considering what takes place here. Feast your eyes on this ultimate barbecue experience complete with panoramic and dramatic views. Enjoyed against the volcanic backdrop of Lanzarote’s Timanfaya National Park in the Canary Islands, the food served at El Diablo is cooked on a massive cast iron grill built over a large hole in the ground.

Global:

GRC Newsletter



In this issue:

• 3 Days Left To Get Your Info in The GRC Roster! Must Renew or Sign Up By February 29
• Only A Few Ad Spaces Left For the GRC Bulletin and the GRC Roster & Registry!
• Geothermal Calendar Events/Deadlines
• Quick Links

Canada:

Geothermal Energy in Saskatchewan: A Viable Choice? (Regina Leader-Post)

Advancements made in geothermal energy are among the many hot environmental topics of today. According to Saskatchewan's Ministry of Environment, geothermal energy is described as the recovery of heat from hot water in rocks deep beneath the earth's surface. This heat can be generated as steam energy for electricity, which would help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

In the Estevan region of the province, there is a formation of rocks, called the Deadwood Formation, that contains water that can be used for the purpose of producing a low-carbon energy source. The water in this area is measured at a temperature of close to 105 C and can be pumped to the Earth's surface to heat homes and other larger buildings.

USA, Hawai'i:

Honolulu Company Seeks to Bring Geothermal Power to State (KHON2- Honolulu)

(Courtesy - KHON2- Honolulu)

Including a 2:01 minute video clip. A Honolulu company is proposing to power parts of the state by harnessing renewable energy resources and charging less for electricity.

Some who were once strongly opposed to geothermal energy are now saying they'll join the effort.

Taking what some call a gift from Madame Pele to power Hawaii homes resulted in protestors and a lawsuit that made its way to the Supreme Court, former opponents are now saying tapping into the Hawaii energy source is a good alternative to fossil fuels.

Iceland and Kenya:

Converting Geothermal Knowledge into Megawatts
(United Nations University)
 

Pacifica F.A. Ogola in a cloud of steam. 

In this article — the first in a two-part series — Kenyan environmental scientist Pacifica Ogola, a Ph.D. Fellow at the United Nations University Geothermal Training Programme, relates her experience in Iceland and explains why geothermal energy is so important for developing nations like her home country.

USA:

US Army Requests Comments on Draft Request for Proposal Related to Energy Contracts (News Release - Marketwatch)

Huntsville Center will award contracts to both large and small businesses according to four different renewable energy technologies: solar, wind, geothermal and biomass.

The U.S. Army Engineering and Support Center, Huntsville, has issued a draft Request for Proposal (RFP) for $7 billion in shared capacity contracts to procure reliable, locally generated, renewable and alternative energy through power purchase agreements or other contractual equivalents. The $7 billion capacity would be expended for the purchase of energy over a period of 30 years or less from renewable energy plants that are constructed and operated by contractors using private sector financing.

USA, California:

California Geothermal Energy Collaborative - Newsletter

In this issue:

• Announcing New GHP Data Portal
• CGEC to Present at PIER Workshop - Assessing the Impact of Geothermal Heat Pump Deployment. 
• Geothermal Vertical Loop Installer Course 
• CGEC to Co-Sponsor Geochemistry Short Course Along with the GRC
• Geothermal Heat Pump Legislation
• Are you developing a geothermal project?

USA, Nevada:

Mustang Geothermal Corp. Details Changes to Its Board of Directors (News Release - Marketwatch)

Mustang Geothermal Corp. announced today that effective February 24, 2012, Brian Cole and Kevin Pikero resigned from the Company's board of directors. Mr. Pikero also resigned his post as Chief Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer. Mr. Richard Bachman, Director, President and Chief Executive Officer will assume responsibilities as the Company's Chief Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer. The Company wishes to thank Mr. Cole and Mr. Pikero for their service.

Effective February 24, 2012, Mr. Gerald Aberle and Mr. Gerry Berg were appointed as directors.

USA, Indiana:

Construction of the Largest U.S. Geothermal Heat Pump System Underway (Think Progress)

A groundbreaking geothermal heating and cooling project shows that these super-efficient heat pumps are gaining traction. 

Construction of the Ball State University geothermal
project is underway (Courtesy - Think Progress) 

by Christopher Williams

Construction of the largest ground-source geothermal heating and cooling system in the United States is now underway and half complete.

The project, located on the Muncie, Indiana campus of Ball State University, will be large enough to heat and cool 47 buildings, replace four coal-fired boilers, and save the campus roughly $2 million a year over the 30-year life of the system.

USA, Hawai'i, Maui:

Geothermal Possibilities Explored at Ulupalakua (Maui Now)

A world leader in the geothermal power industry is exploring the feasibility of harnessing geothermal energy from lands adjacent to Ulupalakua Ranch on Maui.

Ulupalakua. Photo by Wendy Osher (Courtesy - Maui Now). 

Ormat Techonolgies Inc. has submitted an application to the Hawai‘i State Board of Land and Natural Resources for a geothermal exploration permit, mining leases for state and reserved lands, and a request for subzone expansion in the area.

If the requests are granted, the company may seek additional permits and approvals to conduct exploratory drilling to determine if a commercially viable geothermal resource exists.

USA, California, Oregon:

Co-op Tests Low-Heat Geothermal
(National Rural Electric Cooperative Association)

An electric cooperative in California and the Department of Energy are joining forces to build an unconventional geothermal well in a tiny Oregon town.

A California co-op tests water flow and
production at one of two geothermal wells. (Photo By: Lynn Culp)
(Courtesy - National Rural Electric Cooperative Association) 

Surprise Valley Electrification Corp., Alturas, is conducting water flow and production tests at the geothermal well, located on a member-owned cattle ranch in Paisley, Oregon, just across the border separating the two states.

Plans call for the 1,200-foot well to come on-line in February 2013 and generate 2 megawatts of power. DOE awarded the co-op a $2 million stimulus grant towards the $9.5 million project.

Job Vacancy - USA, California:

Exciting Opportunity for a Geothermal Postdoctoral Researcher at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (American Geophysical Union)

The Earth Science Division at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has an exciting opportunity for a postdoctoral researcher available through the Geothermal Program. This postdoctoral position will span the areas of physical chemistry and the earth sciences, exploring fundamental processes related to the change in fracture surface area induced by well stimulation with the goal of quantifying the change using natural chemical and isotopic tracers. Also it offers a chance to work with a highly interdisciplinary team, and will require strong motivation and excellent oral and written communication skills.

USA, California:

California Sees Transmission As Key to Geothermal Buildup (Engineering News-Record )

California officials are looking to streamline the development of transmission lines to access more geothermal power, the state's largest baseload source of in-state renewable energy. At least two geothermal projects have been stalled by lack of transmission access to the grid; several more are in the queue waiting for transmission.

"We have been negatively affected in our geothermal development by slow transmission growth. Having transmission lines in place is a significant issue in trying to market a power-purchase agreement," says Steve Larsen, the president of CE Generation LLC, a unit of Mid-American Energy Holdings that is developing a geothermal project called Black Rock in Imperial County, Calif. The three-unit, 150-MW plant has been in development for almost a decade.

Global:

The Big Question: Geothermal - What Can We Hope for in the Next 12 Months? (Renewable Energy World)

For its first Big Question feature of 2012, Renewable Energy World asked its readers to share their hopes and fears, opinions and predictions for the year ahead given the outcomes (or lack thereof) of the climate negotiations in Durban, ongoing shakeouts in major renewable energy sectors and the challenging global economic climate. Giving an opinion on the immediate future of geothermal is Dr. Roland Horne of Stanford.

Roland Horne, President, International Geothermal Association

The past five years have brought considerable changes to geothermal development, which has accelerated in many parts of the world, both in countries (such as New Zealand, Indonesia and the US) that have a traditional interest in ‘conventional’ geothermal resources, and in countries without this historical interest (such as Australia and Germany). 

Nicaragua:

Developments in Nicaragua Include Big Gains for Geothermal (Renewable Energy Magazine)

Officials credit the opening of the new 36 MW plant at San Jacinto Tizate, a project managed by the company Polaris Energy Nicaragua, with making the difference.

Nicaragua has reached a milestone in its adoption of renewable energy, having 48 percent of its demand for power met by renewable sources, the government has announced.

According to data provided by the Nicaragua Ministry of Energy and the National Center for Cargo Dispatch, the nation is now producing 219.8 MW of power from wind farms, hydroelectric, biomass and geothermal stations.

Indonesia:

Indonesian Geothermal Projects to Get Full Protection (The Jakarta Post)

Indonesian Geothermal electricity project developers will enjoy full protection of their investments as the government agrees to expand its guarantee to cover risks during exploration and construction phases.

Under the current rule, the government would only cover payments for purchases of electricity by PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) should the state-run power company be unable to fulfil its financial commitments to private electricity producers (IPP).

Geothermal developers say such a guarantee is not enough, demanding protection to investments made during the exploration and construction of geothermal power plants.

USA:

Geothermal Water for Health & Wellness

The newly formed Balneotherapy Association of North America will meet in California this week to unveil a nationwide campaign to promote the healthful effects of geothermal and mineral water. Today's event is at 10 a.m. at the Calistoga Spa Hot Springs. On Friday there is another meeting at Harbin Hot Springs in the Geysers area, at 12:00 pm.

The Balneotherapy Association of North America (BANA) Supports Research, Information and Education about Natural Mineral Waters for Health & Wellness.

More information can be found at the BANA Website

Australia:

Wasabi Energy sees Momentum in Key Markets (Proactive Investors - Australia)

Cleantech specialist Wasabi Energy said momentum built in all of its main markets as half-year revenues rose nine-fold.

Sales rose from $378,000 to $3.7 million in the 6 months to December. Losses rose to $5.24 million from $2.56 million and were largely the result of a big write-down on its investment in Australian Renewable Fuels.

Wasabi said the additional revenues were mostly generated by subsidiary Global Geothermal’s contract at the DG Khan cement plant in Pakistan run by FLSmidth.

USA, Nevada:

Ram Power, Corp. Announces Updates for the Casita Project (News Release - Marketwire)

Ram Power, Corp. has announced the following update for the Casita Project ("Casita") in Nicaragua.

The Company is developing Casita under the terms of the exploration license as recently amended in January 2012 which calls for the Company to drill exploration wells to prove the viability of the resource by January 2013. As disclosed, in July 2011 the Company commenced drilling of a slim hole to a depth of 842 meters with a total loss of circulation. A temperature survey conducted in the well indicated temperature readings exceeding 230° Celsius (446° Fahrenheit) and the well flowed hot, dry steam. The temperature results obtained and the permeability found indicate that the location has the characteristics of a viable commercial resource.

USA, Nevada:

Ormat Technologies Reports 2011 Year End and Fourth Quarter 2011 Results (News Release - Sacramento Bee)

 

 The highlights for the year and recent developments:

• Total revenues increased 17 percent to $437.0 million;
• Operating income of $64.0 million and an Adjusted EBITDA of $166.7 million;
• Net income excluding a non-cash tax-related valuation allowance was $18.8 million;
• The net loss after the valuation allowance was $42.7 million;
• Record Product backlog of approximately $240 million; and
• Completed 26 MW of new geothermal generation.

USA, Nevada:

U.S. Geothermal Updates Status of New San Emidio Power Plant (News Release - PDF)

U.S. Geothermal Inc., has announced that its engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor experienced a pump failure at the new 8.6 net megawatt San Emidio, Nevada power plant. The EPC contractor advised that, while they were commissioning the plant, a key process pump used to move R134a working fluid through the binary cycle system experienced a mechanical failure. The contractor removed the pump and shipped it to a repair facility. It is currently scheduled to be back on site for installation Monday, February 27, 2012. After the pump is re-installed, the EPC contractor will resume power plant commissioning activities. The damaged capacitors discussed in our February 2, 2012 news release have been replaced.

Final programming and commissioning of control, safety and operating systems are currently being completed. The EPC contractor is providing its services under a fixed price contract that guarantees the completion date and power output of the plant.

Indonesia, Philippines:

Future of Geothermal Bright for Indonesia, Philippines — Finance and Regulatory Stability Critical (Cross-posted from RenewableEnergyWorld.com)

By Philip Stallard: Ahead of the GeoPower Indonesia & Philippines conference in Jakarta, I caught up with Edward McCartin, Senior Development Advisor at Alterra Power, a speaker at the June meeting that will host the key stakeholders in the Asian geothermal industry.

Alterra Power Corp is a leading renewable energy developer, whose portfolio includes two geothermal facilities in Iceland and another in Nevada, USA. Edward is Alterra's representative in Asia, where he has been working since 1998, gaining a wealth of experience in the financing, construction and operation of power facilities in Indonesia and the Philippines.

India:

North India Power Co. Welcomes Bids for Pugah Geothermal Energy Project (Powerbase - India)

Proposals have been invited by Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation Limited (JKSPDC) for installing a 5 MW research and development (R&D)-cum-technology demonstration and resource assessment multi-purpose project for power generation and direct uses from the Pugah geothermal project at Puga valley in Ladakh District of Jammy and Kashmir, on build, own, operate and transfer (BOOT) basis.

Australia:

New Power Station for Birdsville, Queensland 
(North West Star)

Ergon Energy is set to begin design work on a replacement for the geothermal power station for Birdsville, a small town located in the Channel Country of Central West Queensland, Australia.

Member for Mount Isa Betty Kiernan said the outback town's existing 80kW geothermal plant, installed in 1992, will be decommissioned after reaching its design life.

"Birdsville has had a long association with geothermal renewable energy and we would be pleased to be able to continue the tradition," Mrs Kiernan said.

Global:

GRC Announces Workshops Preceding Its Annual Meeting in September 2012 (ThinkGeoenergy)

Peppermill Resort Spa in Reno, Nevada, USA

The Geothermal Resources Council announces details about the two-day Reservoir and Drilling Workshops to be held prior to the GRC 2012 Annual Meeting starting September 30th in Reno, Nevada.

Technology:

Geothermal Power Plant Generates Electricity, Sequesters CO2 (University of Minnesota)

Dr. Martin O. Saar,  Associate Professor, 

Gibson Chair of  Hydrogeology and Geofluids 

(Courtesy of  University of Minnesota)

A University of Minnesota earth sciences professor and a postdoctoral fellow in his work group have imagined a new process for generating electricity with a two-for-one climate benefit. Their “CO2 plume geothermal” (CPG) technology would draw heat from the Earth to produce electricity without producing carbon dioxide—while at the same time geologically sequestering CO2 that would otherwise be emitted into the air by traditional fossil-fuel-burning power plants, CO2 distilleries or other CO2 emitters.

Best of all, the process was born of a bright idea that puts existing technology to work. Says Martin Saar, a professor in the College of Science and Engineering, “Virtually all of the technology has already been tested.”

Argentina:

Earth Heat Resources Limited Announce $40 Million in Additional Project Finance For The Copahue Development (News Release - ABN Newswire)

Earth Heat Resources Limited of Adelaide, South Australia, is pleased to advise that it has successfully mandated Corporacion Interamericana para el Financiamento de Infraestructura ("CIFI") as Lead Bank and Mandated Lead Arranger for a Drilling Loan of US $22.5 million subject to due diligence. Further, the Company has signed an agreement for $17.5m in Capital Contingency Finance with AGS Capital Group LLC ('AGS').

Africa:

Financing Renewable Energy in Developing Countries: Drivers and Barriers for Private Finance in sub-Saharan Africa (PDF)

This new report outlines how current obstacles to the scaling-up of sustainable energy solutions in Africa - namely cost, infrastructure, and risk - can be tackled with the involvement of private finance. The report's conclusions and recommendations to sub-Saharan Africa and international policy-makers are based on a survey of 38 financial institutions.

Extract from the report: The region also has large geothermal potential. The Great Rift Valley, located in eastern Africa, is an area with high geothermal activity. It is estimated that around 9,000 MW could be generated from geothermal energy in this area, yet the installed capacity in Kenya and Ethiopia – the two main exploiters of this region – is far less, with 167 MW and 7.3 MW respectively.

Denmark:

Drilling Underway On 32 Mw Geothermal Heating Project in Viborg, Denmark (Think GeoEnergy)

Drilling is underway for a 32 MW geothermal heating plant close to Viborg, Jutland in Denmark that is to supply heat to about 16,600 customers. Drilling is expected to reach a geothermal reservoir with a temperature of about 73 centigrades at a depth of 3,000 meters.

USA, Oregon:

Oregon Field Guide: Newberry Crater Geothermal 
(Oregon Public Broadcasting)

EGS, Enhanced Geothermal Systems, hopes to get hot water out of a dry well just outside the Newberry Crater. The experiment hopes to create massive reservoirs two miles under ground. The earth would heat the cold water injected into fissures in the rocks and pumps would bring the hot water back out for energy production. 

View the video...... (9:09 minute clip from the TV Show).

Canada:

Japan Rethinks its Nuclear Mindset (Globe and Mail - Toronto)

David Suzuki (Canadian academic, science broadcaster and environmental activist):

Courtesy Globe and Mail

There are tens of thousands of hot springs in Japan that can provide heat and hot water to local communities. It staggers the mind to think that, rather than exploiting the potential of such an abundant energy source, Japan, one of the most seismically active nations in the world, chose to disregard such sustainable gifts as geothermal, wind, sun and tide and invest so massively – and so uncritically – in the “nuclear option.”

Iceland:

Iceland's Steam Creates Cleaner Future for Cloud Computing (The Australian)

Iceland has turned to the internet and to its own extraordinary natural resources in its efforts to refocus an economy still bearing the scars of the country's banking collapse.

A new venture led by Verne Global, a British company set up by veterans of the American data centre industry, will create the world's first data center powered entirely by geothermal and hydro-electric energy.

USA, Colorado:

Geothermal Energy Project Set to Break Ground in April (Aspen Daily News)

After failing to reach an underground water source last year, the city of Aspen, Colorado, is aiming to drill a second time for geothermal energy in a riverside parking lot this spring.

The city’s open space board unanimously voted Thursday evening to allow drilling from April 1 through May 25 in the city-owned parking lot of the Prockter Open Space.  

The geothermal project has been years in the making for Aspen, where government officials hope to tap the renewable energy source.

A 2008 feasibility study estimated the water below town was 90 to 140 degrees. If it’s above 100 degrees, it could be used to heat local homes. The city would need to successfully tap hot-enough water in at least two test sites before undertaking a project to actually generate geothermal energy.

USA, Oregon:

Reno Firm Plans Drilling on Oregon Geothermal Property (Northern Nevada Business Weekly)

(Courtesy) Klamath Basin Geopower

A young Reno company plans to begin exploratory drilling on a geothermal prospect in southern Oregon that might someday support a 160-megawatt power plant.

Paul Vatistas, chief financial officer of Klamath Basin Geopower, says the company holds geothermal leases on 2,250 acres of privately owned land in Klamath County and has completed analysis of seismic imaging.

He says executives of the company are confident the property can support a 250-degree geothermal resource, and they want to further support that belief with a drilling program this summer.

Saudi Arabia:

Saudi Aramco Sees Potential for Geothermal Energy in West (Bloomberg)

Saudi Arabian Oil Co. sees potential to use wind and geothermal energy in the western parts of the Kingdom to produce electricity, a company’s official said.

There is “technical” potential to produce 25,000 megawatts of electricity from wind, Faisal Habiballah, head of solar team at the company, known as Saudi Aramco, told delegates today at a renewable energy conference in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.

Philippines:

PetroEnergy’s 20-MW Maibarara Geothermal Facility Endorsed (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

PetroEnergy Resources Corp. has secured the Philippines Department of Energy’s (DoE) endorsement for its planned 20-MW Maibarara geothermal facility in Mt. Makiling.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, PetroEnergy said Maibarara Geothermal Inc. (MGI), in which it owned a 65-percent stake, was able to secure a certificate of endorsement (COE) from the DoE, which validated that the geothermal project was “consistent” with the government’s Power Development Plan.

Australia:

Panax Back to School on Geothermal Plans (Renew Economy)

Panax Geothermal has formed a strategic partnership with the University of Melbourne to try to understand where it went wrong on its Penola geothermal prospect in the south-east of South Australia; and what it needs to do to get the project on track.

The Penola project has been more or less on hold since last year, when testing from its Salamander 1 well revealed higher than expected temperatures, but poor flow tests – meaning that the heat trapped in hot sedimentary aquifers (HSA) some 4000m below the surface would be more difficult, and more expensive, to extract.

USA, Oregon, California:

Development of Geothermal Facility on a National Wildlife Refuge is Planned (Herald and News, Klamath Falls)

Map of  Lower Klamath National 

Wildlife Refuge (Courtesy U.S. Fish and Wildlife) 

Construction could begin later this year on a multi-million dollar geothermal energy facility on the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge.

Ron Cole, Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuges manager, said the facility would provide the refuge with low-cost electricity, saving it up to $1 million annually in power costs.

The facility is being developed by Entiv Organic Energy, an energy company owned by Mike Noonan. Noonan also owns Noonan Farms, which grows organic vegetables, grain, potatoes, hay and dairy products on Klamath Basin holdings.

Japan:

Wasabi Energy Soaks into Japanese Hot Spring Power Generation Potential (Proactive Investors - Australia)

Matsunoyama Hot Springs
(Courtesy Tokamachi City Tourist Association) 

Wasabi Energy has its foot into the door of a potential Japanese boom in micro-scale geothermal power generation with the start-up of its first Kalina Cycle EcoGen power plant.

The unit, which incorporates next-generation micro-turbine technology, was recently installed at the Matsunoyama Onsen hot spring at Tokamachi, Niigata in Japan.

Philippines:

EDC Taps Alstom for Bac-man Rehab (Power Engineering)

Energy Development Corp. (EDC) has awarded to Alstom SA of France the repair works of both Unit 1 and Unit 2 generator rotors of the Bacon-Manito geothermal plants

EDC in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Monday said Alstom's ownership of the design of ABB (the original equipment manufacturer of the generator) would significantly reduce risks.

Nicaragua:

Ram Power, Corp. Announces Updates for the San Jacinto-Tizate Project (Press Release)

Ram Power, Corp. announces the following update for the San Jacinto Phase I expansion project in Nicaragua.

As required by the Phase I loan agreements, the Company conducted a 30-day performance test on the Phase I unit to verify that the plant meets its minimum generation capacity. The Phase I expansion was required to produce 23,688 MWh in order to achieve certification. During the performance test, the plant maintained a 99.997% availability, operating at the required 36 MWh net output from the Phase I Fuji turbine and exceeding the requirements of the performance test.

Indonesia:

Indonesia Set for Turkish, Chinese Plants (The Jakarta Globe)

Investors from Turkey and China will pour billions of dollars into Indonesia’s energy and cement sectors, a senior official at the Investment Coordinating Board has announced.

Tamba P. Hutapea, the deputy for investment planning at the body known as BKPM, told reporters on Tuesday that Hitay Investment Holdings, Turkey’s leading conglomerate, plans to invest $3 billion in geothermal production in Indonesia.

  

Kenya:

KenGen Seeks Joint Ventures to Boost Geothermal Power (Business Daily - Africa)

A geothermal well at Menengai Crater in Nakuru 
(Courtesy - Business Daily - Africa)    

Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) said on Monday it planned to raise $12 billion to build six geothermal power plants that should generate 585 megawatts by 2016, as it pushes to diversify its power sources.

KenGen managing director Eddy Njoroge told Reuters that his company was open to different models to raise the financing required.

Kenya is the first African country to drill geothermal power, tapping vast steam energy.

USA:

Geothermal Project of the Year (Renewable Energy World)

Beowawe Geothermal Facility, Beowawe, N.V.

Renewable Energy World Excellence in Renewable Energy Awards Winner: Geothermal Project of the Year

Amidst a year of frustrating inactivity in the geothermal industry, many project developers are struggling with uncertain policies and difficult development procedures. This is an especially hard pill to swallow in the geothermal-rich state of Nevada.

Beowawe Geothermal Facility

But despite a mostly quiet 2011 in the geothermal industry, the Beowawe Geothermal Facility in Nevada managed to develop a 2.5-MW addition to their existing 16.7-MW geothermal plant that went online in 1985 with the help of a DOE loan. The project demonstrates technology that takes advantage of resources not generally considered viable for utility scale deployment — proving the technical and economic feasibility of electricity generation from geothermal resources of 205°F. Beowawe utilizes the first commercial use of a low temperature bottoming cycle at a geothermal flash power plant.

USA:

US House OKs Labrador Geothermal Amendment
(Idaho Statesman)

1st Congressional District Rep. Raul Labrador 

A House-passed oil shale bill contains an amendment, authored by 1st Congressional District Rep. Raul Labrador, designed to encourage geothermal production.

It was Labrador's first legislation to pass the House.

The Labrador amendment would streamline the permitting and approval process for geothermal projects, and require the removal of surface infrastructure used during geothermal exploration.

Hungary

Hungary PannErgy Reports Success at Second Production Well (Portfolio.hu)

(Courtesy PannErgy )

Hungary’s geothermal energy company PannErgy has successfully drilled its second production well (MAL-PE-02) near Miskolc. The depth of the well is only 1,420 metres and it was reached with better-than-expected results in little over a month.

8,000 litres per minute water production with pressure of 2.8 bar and a temperature of 90 degree Celsius were shown by the two-week test.

  

Mexico:

GeoPower Mexico

Members of the GRC are entitled to a 20% discount, simply quote code GRC20 when prompted online to qualify.

Global:

GRC Newsletter

In this issue:

• 14 Days Left To Get Your Info in The GRC Roster! Must Renew or Sign Up By February 29
• Only A Few Ad Spaces Left For the GRC Bulletin and the GRC Roster & Registry!
• Geothermal Calender Events/Deadlines
• Quick Links

Technology:

Is Ocean Thermal the New Geothermal? (Cleantech Authority)

Computer rendering of an OTEC System. 

(Courtesy of Lockheed Martin)

Geothermal energy continues to be a primary focal point for renewable energy sources and recent developments by the likes of Lockheed Martin and others are showing potential for oceans to be another viable option for geothermal technologies. The concept is not new, but the application is. The general field is referred to as Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) and designs are being tested now in tropical areas.