Australia:

Geodynamics Limited Releases 2013 Annual Report

2013 has been an important year for Geodynamics of Milton, Queensland in Australia, with two major achievements that mark significant milestones in the company’s development.

The first milestone was the successful completion of the Habanero 4 well and commissioning of the 1 MWe Habanero Pilot Plant in April 2013. Realizing this long held goal is a significant achievement and an important demonstration of EGS technology. As one of only three EGS plants operating globally and the first new EGS plant to be commissioned for a significant period of time, there has been a great deal of interest in our results around the world, particularly in the unique reservoir behavior of the Innamincka granite resource.

The second milestone was the acquisition of our first international project with the agreement to acquire up to 70% of the Savo Island Geothermal Power Project in the Solomon Islands announced in November 2012. Savo Island is a high quality conventional geothermal project well positioned to supply the growing demand for power in the city of Honiara. The initial feasibility study and inferred resource statement released in April 2013 showed the potential to develop a 10 - 20 MW
project based on a high quality shallow geothermal resource delivering power to customers by the end of 2017.

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Canada:

Alternative Earth Resources Reports Results For the Year Ended June 30, 2013

Alternative Earth (formerly Nevada Geothermal Power Inc.) based in Vancouver, B.C. Canada, was responsible for the development of the Blue Mountain geothermal resource from exploration through commissioning of the nameplate 49.5 MW (gross), 38.8 MW (net) Faulkner I power plant, and continues to hold interests in four other geothermal properties.

The results of the Blue Mountain power plant are included in Alternative Earth's results up to March 28, 2013, on which date the company transferred its interest in the project to Blue Mountain Power, LLC, a subsidiary of EIG Global Energy Partners, which had been the mezzanine lender on the project. Alternative Earth continues to operate the power plant through its subsidiary, Nevada Geothermal Operating Company, and is providing some management and administrative services during a cooperative transition period.

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USA, California:

Carbon Dioxide Utilization Congress

The perception of CO₂ as a waste product is being challenged by the emergence of new industrial applications. CO₂ utilization is now set to play an important role in the development of alternative fuels, ways to tackle climate change, the synthesis of high value chemicals and as a working fluid for enhanced geothermal systems (EGS).

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Italy:

Pisa, Una Provincia Rinnovabile al 100% (Anzi di Più) - Pisa, a More than 100% Renewable Province (Energierinnovate - Blog)

Geothermal Energy Supplies 130% of Tuscan City Electricity Needs

Thanks to geothermal energy the Tuscan city of Pisa in northern Italy is completely renewable. Enel Green Power produces 2,879.8 GWh from its fifteen plants in the area to more than cover the demands of 2,096 GWh power consumption in the Province of Pisa.

Geothermal energy is therefore able to satisfy more than 130% of the provincial electricity needs.

In all Enel Green Power, produces more than 5,235 GWh from 33 geothermal plants in the provinces of Pisa, Siena and Grosseto which meets 26% of the needs of regional energy consumption of approximately 19,964 GWh.

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USA, California:

Workshop Looks at Deep Geothermal Exploration (Inside UCR)

Wilfred Elders in an undated photo
(Courtesy UC Riverside)

GRC member Wilfred Elders of University of California, Riverside recently convened an international geothermal workshop to promote a collaborative initiative to develop higher enthalpy geothermal systems in the United States.

Wilfred Elders, a professor emeritus of geology at the University of California, Riverside, convened the Workshop to Promote a Collaborative Initiative to Develop Higher Enthalpy Geothermal Systems in the USA in Lake Arrowhead in the San Bernardino Mountains, Oct. 13-16, to discuss developing new ways to produce electrical energy from geothermal fields.

Some thirty scientists and engineers attended the workshop, including two scientists from New Zealand, two from Mexico, and one from each of Iceland, Italy, and Russia.

The theme of the workshop was to explore the feasibility and economic potential of increasing the power output of geothermal wells by factor of ten by drilling much deeper to reach higher pressures and temperatures.

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USA:

Signs of Inventive Activity in Geothermal (fuelcelltoday.com)

The Clean Energy Patent Growth Index (CEPGI), published quarterly by the Cleantech Group at Heslin Rothenberg Farley & Mesiti P.C., provides an indication of the innovative trends in the clean energy sector from 2002 to the present.

(Courtesy CEPGI)

The granting of patents by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) is often cited as a measure of the inventive activity and evidence of the effectiveness of research & development (R&D) investments.

Geothermal patents were down one compared to the first quarter but up five versus a year ago. Over the last decade the geothermal industry seems to be on an upswing in R&D investment.

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United Kingdom:

Manchester's Geothermal Plant Set for Approval (The Business Desk)

(Courtesy GT Energy)

An Irish company is expected to get the go-ahead next week to start work in Manchester on what could become the UK's first large-scale geothermal plant.

It wants to harness heat from hot water 3,200 meters below Ardwick and plans to start by drilling two exploratory boreholes that would subsequently be used as operational wells.

GT Energy believes its multi-million pound project could be the focus of a low-carbon economic zone in the area, as well as help to drive down energy costs for local people.

It has partnered with the German energy company E.ON to tap a geothermal reservoir beneath the city known as the Cheshire Basin.

The project will take up around an acre of land in the area during development. Once complete,  the plant will sit on just half an acre of land. It will take around a year to build and a pair of 40m-high drilling rigs will be in place for around six months.

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Guatemala:

Guatemala En 2014 Licitará 150 MWe Geotérmicos - Guatemala will Launch a Tender for 150 MWe of Geothermal in 2014 (Piensa Geotermia)

(Courtesy CIA.gov)

El próximo año, el Ministerio de Energía y Minas de Guatemala lanzará la licitación PEG-4 en la cual serán ofertados 150 MWe, exclusivamente para energía geotérmica.

Next year, the Guatemalan Government will release a call for tender for a 150 MWe project exclusive for geothermal.

Leer Más.....       Read More.....

Turkey, Iceland:

Icelandic JV to Develop 100 MW Project at Mount Nemrut, Turkey (ThinkGeoEenrgy)

Icelandic Joint Venture (JV) of Efla Engineering Group and RARIK (Iceland State Electricity) have signed an agreement with Turkish group Zorlu Enerji for the development of the Mount Nemrut geothermal project with a potential of up to 150 MW.

The agreement is about development of a geothermal project of 100-150 MW at Nemrut Mountain in the east of Turkey.

The parties have established Memrut Jeotermal Elektrik, jointly owned by RARIK Turkison Enerji (RTE) and Zorlu, which will now carry out further research in the area and start drilling activities necessary for geothermal power generation capacity of up to 100-150 MW, as well as the development of district heating.

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Pacific Islands:

Report Maps out Plans for Pacific Renewable Power (SciDev.Net)

Pacific island nations can look forward to a more integrated and accelerated renewable energy program with the completion of a road map for increasing the use of renewable energy and reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels.

The report, from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), aims to kickstart the Pacific countries' moves towards energy sustainability.

The report calls for power based on biomass, geothermal and ocean energy, and specific mixes of solar and wind energy based on each island's specific potential.

"[The report] is groundbreaking, the first of its kind in the region to identify challenges and best practices for increased deployment of renewable energy in the Pacific island countries and territories," says Linus Mofor, a spokesperson for IRENA and an author of the report.

"It provides baseline information that could assist Pacific islands in the development of their national renewable energy deployment road maps or action plans."

Pacific Lighthouses: Renewable Energy Roadmapping for Islands (PDF)

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Texas:

Boiling Hot: Why Fracking’s Gusher of Geothermal Energy is Wasted (NPR KUHF-FM)



There are thousands of oil & gas wells in Texas that tap into the earth’s supply of hot water, some of it a boiling hot 250 F. There are modern, high tech steam engines that could use the water to make electricity. There was a federally-funded experimental power plant that proved the technology could work in Texas.

Yet, geothermal power  has gotten a cold shoulder in the state.

“They made (the power plant) work, they proved it was successful, and then they dismantled it because they didn’t have funding to keep the project going,” said GRC member Maria Richards, a researcher at Southern Methodist University (SMU)’s Geothermal Laboratory. (AUDIO 3:23 Minutes)

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Turkey:

Wasabi Energy - Tuzla Geothermal Resource is Potentially Greater than 80 MW (Proactive Investors UK)

Wasabi Energy, based in Melbourne, Australia, saw its shares power up on Thursday as its Turkish expansion plans were validated by some impressive numbers from its Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS).

The study was based on the installation of one of its 30 MWe Kalina cycle units, which turns excess heat back into energy.

The PFS, which was put together by a number of third parties, including US-based Power Engineers, said power can be generated from Tuzla as early as the second half of 2016.

Wasabi’s wholly-owned Turkish subsidiary Imparator Enerji has an option to acquire up to 50% of the Turkish company which owns Tuzla.

Wasabi, said the expansion project was underpinned by an updated resources estimate. This signaled that the most-likely size (P50) of the Tuzla geothermal resource is potentially greater than 80 MW, confirming the findings of past studies.

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Global:

Renewable Power Generation - 2012 (Renewable Energy Focus)

Lahmeyer International's latest REMIPEG (Renewable Energy Market Installed Power and Electricity Generation) update (covering 2012 installations of renewable power capacity) concludes that new additions of renewable power capacity totaled 112 GW in 2012, taking global cumulative installed renewable electricity capacity to 1,592 GW - with an estimated annual power generation output of 4547-4811 TWh a year.

According to the figures geothermal energy added 0.4 GW of capacity in 2012 taking the total to 11.6 GW with an estimated annual power generation output of 73 TWh a year.

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United Kingdom:

Cumbria's Old Mines Could Hold Key To Cheaper Energy Using Geothermal (in-cumbria)

The water that has flooded into the disused mines could be used to supply heat using geothermal energy. A similar scheme being developed in Glasgow could provide 40 per cent of the city's heat, scientists believe.

Lee Carr, of Britain's Energy Coast, told delegates at the Energy Business Opportunities Conference in Lillyhall yesterday that the idea was being explored as a way of tapping into an unexpected legacy of west Cumbria's mining heritage.

"We are looking at Glasgow city Council project which is using disused mines filled with water and that water is at a temperature that can be used to distribute heat.

We have also lot of redundant mines too so we see this as having potential for west Cumbria."

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Commonwealth of Dominica:

New Geothermal Drilling to Commence This Month in Dominica (Caribbean Journal)

More geothermal drilling will begin in Dominica this month, according to the country’s Energy Minister, Rayburn Blackmore.

The company that is performing the drilling, Iceland Drilling Company, has already arrived in Dominica and will begin later this month, he said.

Environmental impact assessments have been completed for the drilling of a production well in Laudat and for a re-injection well in Trafalgar.

“Towards the end of this month we will see the actual start of the drilling of the production wells,” he said.

Dominica is initially envisioning a 15 MWe power plant at the site in the country’s Roseau Valley.

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Canada:

Why Geothermal Deserves Its Moment in the Sun (Clean Energy Canada)

by Alison Thompson, Chair Canadian Geothermal Energy Association (CanGEA)

(Courtesy CIA.gov)

Though wind and solar tend to get all the attention, Canada has a rock-steady renewable energy and heat resource that at the moment remains the realm of pure untapped potential.

Here’s what’s on offer if we decide to change that:

• Firm, or “base load,” renewable power—that doesn’t rise and fall with the wind and sun— sufficient to power roughly five million Canadian homes and heat 750,000 homes.
• Enough clean energy to prevent the release of about 25 million tonnes of carbon pollution each year—equivalent to the annual emissions of all of Alberta’s coal-powered power plants.
• Some 9,000 full-time jobs—three times the number of paychecks created by Canada’s offshore oil industry in Newfoundland and Labrador.
• Relief for remote northern and First Nations communities that struggle with soaring power, heat and food costs.

Geothermal energy provides all of these benefits—plus the smallest environmental footprint of any electricity and heat source, period.

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Japan:

Geothermal Energy Exploration in Japan Steams Ahead (NHK)

Geothermal energy exploration is steaming ahead all over Japan as the nation looks to provide a stable power source.

The Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation is working to identify and assess areas that may be suitable for generating power. It is using helicopters to analyze the density of rocks and magnetic fields in Kyushu, southern Japan, in order to determine underground structures. The agency will provide the data to private companies.

Studies have also begun on a proposed large-scale geothermal plant in a national park in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan. The research will evaluate the impact of the plant on the surrounding environment.

Toshihiro Matsumura, a renewable energy expert and professor at the University of Tokyo Institute of Social Science, says geothermal power should be rated highly because of its high operating rate and stability. He says geothermal resources should be developed along with solar and wind power even though it may take more effort than other energy sources.

The problem with geothermal energy is that it is costly to develop. The government began giving subsidies for individual projects last year.

Technology:

A Way to Make Carbon Storage Pay (Scientific American)

Injecting CO2 into hot geothermal brine could generate enough methane to turn a profit

Our design is a closed-loop system that injects CO2 into hot, methane-saturated geothermal brine brought to the surface from deep underground. The CO2-laden brine would be sent back underground for permanent storage. The injection forces out methane and heat, which would be sold for commercial power and heating—paying for the storage. The methane could also power the system and provide energy for carbon capture at the power plant.

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USA, Idaho:

Loan Program Boosts U.S. Geothermal (The Idaho Statesman)

U.S. Geothermal now has its 22 MWe power plant near Vale, Ore., online, sending electricity produced from Neal Hot Springs into Idaho Power’s grid.

But two years ago, the loan guarantee it got from the U.S. Department of Energy was under fire.

The $97 million loan guarantee was part of the 2009 stimulus program, the same place solar-energy company Solyndra got a $528 million loan before it went bankrupt and laid off 1,100 workers in 2011.

Because of the political controversy, DOE did additional reviews of U.S. Geothermal’s loan and the investments of its partner Enbridge. Each review showed a clean slate. Idaho’s congressional delegation supported U.S. Geothermal, which estimates that 95 percent of the new Oregon plant’s infrastructure and parts were U.S.-made.

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Australia, Peru, Chile:

Capital-Strapped Hot Rock May Sell Chile, Peru Geothermal Assets (Business News Americas)

Geothermal developer Hot Rock (HRL) and the Energy Development Corporation (EDC) signed a binding letter of offer (LOO) for the potential sale of HRL's 30% stake in the EDC-HRL Peru geothermal JV Quellaapacheta, as well some or all of HRL's remaining assets in Chile and Peru.

"EDC and HRL have under the potential offer terms entered a period of exclusivity with a view to negotiating the final terms of a sale agreement in the near term, acceptable to both parties and consistent with the LOO," an HRL press release said.

In current market conditions HRL has found it "extremely difficult" to raise capital or attract JV partners to develop its projects, prompting a strategic self review.

Any potential sale would be subject to due diligence by EDC and possibly HRL shareholder approval, the Australian firm said.

GRC Annual Meeting:

37th GRC Annual Meeting Attracts International Geothermal Industry

Over 1,600 attendees from 37 different countries gather for the largest annual meeting of the global geothermal community 

The Opening Session of the 37th GRC Annual Meeting

The Geothermal Resources Council (GRC), the world’s premier geothermal association, has completed a successful  37th GRC Annual Meeting at the MGM Grand,  Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

At the Opening Session, GRC Annual Meeting Chair Andy Sabin welcomed the attendees from 37 different countries and relayed greetings from Senator Harry Reid of Nevada to the global geothermal community.

Senator Reid said it was his pleasure to welcome attendees to Las Vegas for the Geothermal Resources Council  Annual Meeting and the Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) Geothermal Energy Expo 2013. He told of first seeing steam coming out of the ground when travelling in northern Nevada while growing up.

Australia:

More Geothermal Exploration in New South Wales (abc.net)

The New South Wales state government is set to drill core holes in the western region to assess for geothermal energy potential.

The holes will be drilled about two-and-a-half kilometers into the earth near Cobar and Wilcannia during the next four months.

Department of Trade and Investment spokesman, James Knight, says there is very little information about the geology of western New South Wales. The drilling will look for geothermal resources and the capacity to store carbon dioxide.

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Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands:

KUTh Energy Loses Appeal on Saipan Geothermal Project (EIN)

Simplified geology map of Saipan

showing thermally anomalous water wells.

(Courtesy KUTh Energy)

The Saipan Office of the Public Auditor has rejected Australian-based KUTh Energy’s request for reconsideration of a decision to cancel a request for proposal for geothermal energy development on Saipan.

KUTh bagged the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.’s bid to develop geothermal energy on Saipan, only for that same request for proposal to be cancelled months later.

The Capital Improvement Project Office—not CUC—issued a new RFP later on, but for geothermal consulting services only.

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Mexico:

Mexican Icelandic JV Awarded Concession in Mexico (Think GeoEnergy)

Project will have two phases adding up to a total of 100 MWe and plans to start drilling in the first trimester of 2014

Mexxus RG, a joint venture formed by Mexxus Drilling International and Reykjavik Geothermal  has been awarded a Geothermal Resources License to develop the Ceboruco Geothermal Prospect in the Western portion of the Mexican Volcanic belt in the state of Nayarit.

Mexxus Drilling is a leading Mexican geothermal drilling services provider with experience primarily in support of Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE)’s geothermal activities in Mexico.

The project will be divided in two phases; Phase 1 for 30 MWe and Phase 2 for 70 MWe. The company has plans to begin the exploratory drilling phase in the first quarter of 2014. The Ceboruco Geothermal Concession is the first geothermal Independent Power Producer (IPP) project in Mexico.

United Kingdom:

Glasgow Subway ‘Could be Heated with Leak Water’ (Scotsman.com)

(Courtesy urbanrail.net)

The underground train system in Glasgow, Scotland could soon be heated by the water leaking into its tunnels as work begins on an ambitious two-year project.

Glasgow Caledonian University researchers have begun work alongside subway operators SPT to develop a system to utilize the heat from the water which regularly seeps into the network.

Heat pumps will be used to draw out warm water from the soil around the underground tunnels, with the water heating nearby buildings as well as the stations themselves.

The British Geological Survey estimate that the geothermal waters beneath Glasgow could provide enough energy to heat 40% of the city’s homes.

Australia:

ARENA Aims to Introduce Renewable Energy to Existing Power Plants in Australia (hydrogenfuelnews.com)

Agency has big plans for renewable energy and hybridization

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is expected to unveil a new strategy concerning the hybridization of the country’s power plants. The majority of Australia’s electrical power is currently derived from fossil-fuels, but the country has been growing more interested in renewable energy in recent years. Part of this interest in clean power is linked to environmental concerns and the country’s intentions to reduce the emissions it is responsible for.

ARENA has taken note of the growing prominence of renewable energy throughout Australia. Geothermal, solar thermal, and other forms of clean power have been successfully incorporated into the country’s existing power plants in recent years and have helped reduce the country’s reliance on fossil-fuels.

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Djibouti:

World Bank and Djibouti Sign Agreement to Explore Geothermal Energy (4-traders - Press Release)

(Courtesy CIA.gov)

Financing agreements signed yesterday between the World Bank Group and Djibouti will launch a project to tap into Djibouti's volcanic riches as a source of geothermal power. The International Development Association (IDA), the Bank's arm for the world's poorest countries, will provide a US$6 million highly concessional credit to the Geothermal Power Generation Project, which has the potential to reduce energy costs and boost access to electricity for all its citizens.

The credit and grant agreements were signed by Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh, Djibouti's Minister of Finance and Economy, and Inger Andersen, World Bank Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa region.

"Geothermal energy can play an important role in Djibouti's energy policy which is to reach 100 percent green energy by 2020." said Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh, Djibouti's Minister of Finance and Economy. "All our citizens should have access to a reliable and affordable source of electricity, which is crucial for the development of the economy and the well-being of our citizens."

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Kenya:

KenGen Fears Declining Steam Could Affect Power Production (The Standard Digital News)

Kenyan power producer KenGen has raised concerns over the declining levels of steam production. This has raised fears that the low levels could negatively impact on the geothermal power production in the country.

Acting Managing Director and Chief Executive Simon Ngure noted that the country is staring at a two per cent drop in steam production annually.

He also called for increased investments in the drilling of more wells. “We are facing a two per cent decline in steam production every year. This means we need to drill fresh wells,” Eng Ngure told a parliamentary Public Investment Committee last week. He said 12 new wells — both production and re-injection wells — are to be drilled each year to sustain the drive for geothermal energy in the country.

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New Zealand:

Māori Group Says More Geothermal Exploitation Should be Considered (Radio New Zealand)

Whakarewarewa geothermal field near Rotorua

A Rotorua iwi group says the Bay of Plenty regional council should consider allowing more exploitation of geothermal energy, after signs of life in a geyser that has lain dormant for 34 years.

In the late 1980s, the Government shut down hundreds of geothermal bores around Rotorua after several hot springs ran dry.

GNS Science staff monitoring pools at the Whakarewarewa geothermal field say the Papakura Geyser appears to be recovering.

The Whakarewarewa Lands Trust says the regional council should review the geothermal field, and consider opening it to new methods of drilling which extract heat without taking water.

However, GNS vulcanologist, Brad Scot, advocates maintaining the status quo, saying the new drilling techniques are not well tested.

Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis:

Paradise Island of Nevis Plans Shift to Volcano Power (The Australian)

A paradise island favored by Hollywood celebrities could become the Caribbean's greenest destination, thanks to a decision to convert its entire power supply to run off the geothermal energy from its enormous central volcano.

The government of Nevis plans to drill boreholes into the red-hot rocks under the former British colony and use the heat to drive a power station serving the whole island.

The first stage will be to harness the volcano's power to supply all Nevis's homes and businesses. Later, the government hopes to replace the island's cars and vans with electric vehicles, which will be recharged with volcano power.

"Once the system is running we could also lay undersea cables to nearby islands like St Barts, St Martin/St Maarten, Anguilla and Antigua, helping reduce other Caribbean islands' dependence on fossil fuels," said Mark Brantley, the island's deputy premier, who is overseeing the project and hopes to announce a contract for the new plant this month.

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France:

France’s Ban On Fracking Is Upheld - Difference Between Oil, Gas and Geothermal Fracking is Cited (CleanTechnica)

Geothermal energy industry in France gets green light for EGS Exploration

(Courtesy CIA.gov)

France’s ban on fracking was finally completed Friday, as its constitutional court upheld a 2011 law  prohibiting the practice and canceling all exploration permits. The decision posted on the court’s website  said the ban “conforms to the constitution” and is not “disproportionate,” effectively protecting it from any future legal challenge.

U.S. driller Schuepbach Energy brought its complaint to the court after two of its exploration permits were revoked due to the ban. Schuepbach attempted to argue that since no study had established fracking risks, there was no cause for the ban, and that since fracking isn’t banned for geothermal energy projects, it was unfair. The court didn’t find that convincing, citing the differences between geothermal and shale gas exploration.

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GRC Annual Meeting:

GRC Annual Meeting - Opening Reception



Photos from the GRC Annual Meeting & GEA Expo Opening Reception held Sunday, September 29 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

USA:

Has the Geothermal Industry Failed in Its Messaging? (Greentech Media)

The Energy Gang engages in some real talk on the lack of excitement about geothermal. Start at 3:25 minutes, end at 21 minutes.


No one denies the immense potential of geothermal. Despite that potential, the industry has grown incrementally over the years and failed to attract strong investment flow, particularly in the U.S. So what's keeping growth so low?

In this week's podcast, the Energy Gang will look at the industry's two main problems: drilling risk and messaging. Both are holding back growth.

USA, Canada:

Oil - Geothermal Co-Production Start Up to Begin Construction in 2014 (Finance and Commerce)

A University of Minnesota startup expects construction to begin next year on a pilot plant that would produce electricity from geothermal and otherwise wasted energy while also boosting production from a Canadian oil field.

The plant would represent the first commercial application of a novel renewable energy technology called Carbon Dioxide Plume Geothermal, or CPG. The technology was developed at the University of Minnesota and is licensed to university startup Heat Mining Co. LLC , based in Rapid City, South Dakota.

The CPG plant would generate electricity from carbon dioxide that is injected underground, in a practice known as enhanced oil recovery (EOR), to increase the amount of crude oil extracted from a field that typically is nearing the end of its productivity.

The electricity generated using the CPG technology would be used to replace power provided by conventional sources, resulting in emission-free electricity at lower cost, extending the lifespan of economical oil extraction, according to its developers.

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USA, California:

Call For Abstracts for 2014 Stanford Geothermal Workshop

Abstract submission is now open for the 2014 Stanford Geothermal Workshop. Abstract submissions will close on Tuesday 22nd October 2013. ~ Submit an abstract.

The 2014 Stanford Geothermal Workshop will be held February 24-26, 2014 at Stanford University, California.

~ Author instructions and a listing of the main themes.

New Zealand:

Rotorua Geyser 'Waking Up' (3 News)

Scientists are excited by signs of life at a Rotorua geyser that's been dormant for nearly four decades. They say it's proof a controversial bore closure program was necessary to rejuvenate geothermal activity in the area.

The Papakura Geyser in Rotorua's Te Whakarewarewa Valley has been dormant for almost 35 years but last month scientists observed bubbling water and a small series of eruptions of up to one meter high.

It's only steam and high temperatures, but for GNS scientist Brad Scott any signs of activity are exciting news." If the heat flow continues increasing, we may well see it erupting like it used to," he says.

It was active until 1979 and was consistently in eruption, but extensive hot water draw off from private and commercial bores in the area led to a decrease in geothermal activity.

The drop in geothermal activity led to a bore closure program in the 1980s - it was opposed by many - but scientists say they feel vindicated now that the Papakura Geyser is waking up.

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Djibouti, Mexico:

Djibouti and Mexico Sign Geothermal Co-Operation Agreement (coastweek.com)

Djibouti and Mexico have signed an agreement to cooperate in the energy sector, more particularly in the geothermal sector.

The agreement was signed in Djibouti on Monday by Djibouti’s Energy Minister Ali Yacoub Mahamoud and Mexico’s Energy Secretary Pedro Joaquin Coldwell.

The agreement provides that the two countries will cooperate in four areas: exploration of geothermal resources and development of conceptual models in the geothermal sector, the engineering skills in exploration of wells, supply of technology for testing of fluids and the development of geothermal sites including full utilization of electric energy produced by geothermal firms.

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Philippines:

 Maibarara Geothermal Given Clearance to Start Operating Power Plant (InterAksyon)

(Courtesy Maibarara Geothermal Inc.)

The Philippines agency regulating the energy sector has cleared the commercial operations of a geothermal power plant that will tap Mount Makiling’s reserves.

In a statement today, PetroEnergy Resources Corporation (PERC) said the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) granted the Certificate of Compliance (COC) to Maibarara Geothermal Inc.’s (MGI) 20 MWe power plant located in Sto. Tomas, Batangas.

The COC clears the way for MGI to start commercial operations of its plant, the first project under the Renewable Energy Act of 2008. MGI expects its plant to go online before year-end as planned.

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Technology:

Simbol Materials Achieves First Production of Lithium Carbonate Using Geothermal Brine (Asahi Shimbun)

A Japanese newspaper is reporting that California-based Simbol Materials LLC, has succeeded for the first time in the world in producing nearly 100 percent pure lithium carbonate using geothermal brine.

The unique production technology developed by Simbol limits the emissions of carbon dioxide and reduces energy costs without being affected by changes in weather conditions as it does not involve solar evaporation. Today, approximately 70 percent of world lithium carbonate and other lithium chemicals production is produced through solar evaporation process using brine from salt lakes in South America.

Simbol plans to commence the construction of its Calipatria Plant II with an annual production capacity of 15,000 tons, by the end of the current fiscal year, and to start commercial operation in fiscal 2015. It will be built adjacent to the EnergySource Hudson Ranch I Geothermal Power Plant in Imperial County, California.

Read More.....

GRC Annual Meeting:

The Niland Mud Volcanoes and John L. Featherstone Geothermal Plant



Taken on October 3 on a GRC Field Trip to the Imperial Valley, California, USA.

Climate Change:

Website Shows How Clean Energy Can Power The Future


A new website shows how it is possible to provide everyone on the planet with a high-quality lifestyle, with access to education, medical care, efficient transport, comfortable homes and entertainment, all powered by existing clean energy technologies.

‘Two Energy Futures’ is an interactive data visualization that shows two possible energy futures: a fossil-fueled future and a cleaner fairer future. It also has a mapping tool that shows environmental advocacy and renewable energy groups around the world and allows them to connect and exchange ideas on how to combat climate change.

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Australia:

KUTh Energy Directors Recommend Acceptance of Geodynamics Takeover Offer (Proactive Investors)

KUTh Energy directors have unanimously recommended that shareholders accept Geodynamics’ takeover offer in the absence of a superior proposal.

They noted the offer of 1 Geodynamics share for every 5.5 KUTh Energy shares was in the best interests of KUTh shareholders for the following reasons:

• The combined entity offers KUTh Energy shareholders access to an enlarged and more diverse portfolio of high quality geothermal projects;
• The combined entity will have stronger financial resources to develop the portfolio of geothermal projects;
• The Offer represents a premium to recent share price levels for KUTh Shares;
• Geodynamics Shares have in the past 12 months provided a more liquid investment; and
• If the Offer is not accepted, KUTh Energy will have to raise additional capital. This would be highly dilutive to non-participating shareholders and there is no guarantee that any such capital raising will be successful.

KUTh’s directors, who hold 36.7% of the company, plan to accept the offer.

In addition, KUTh director George Miltenyi has been invited to join the board of Geodynamics and was not involved in the processes or deliberations of the Board in relation to considering the offer.

Norway:

Norwegian Geothermal Company in Global Cleantech 100 (The Guardian)

The list charts the top 100 cleantech companies judged most likely to make a significant market impact over the next 5-10 years

The fifth annual Global Cleantech 100 provides a snapshot of the most exciting, innovative and potentially significant cleantech companies.

This year, 9,125 total nominations were whittled down to a final 100 via a three stage process. Nominations came from worldwide experts as well as "passive" nominations derived from analyzing market data, taking votes of confidence in a company's ability to achieve high growth and high-market impact from market transactions, and major customer and partnership announcements.

The only representative from the geothermal energy industry is Green Energy Group of Norway, a provider of turnkey 3.2 MW to 6.4 MW flash type modular wellhead geothermal power plants. The company exhibited in the GEA Trade show, run concurrently with the GRC Annual Meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, September 29 - October 2.

USA:

One of World's Biggest Clean Energy Finance Shops Is Back in Business (Bloomberg)

Peter W. Davidson, Executive 

Director of the Loan Program 

Office (LPO)

Each day nearly 200 staffers scour loan applications, track billion-dollar debts and manage borrowers' credit risk as part of the department's Loan Programs Office (LPO)—one of the biggest clean energy finance shops in the world.

You may think you've never heard of the LPO—after all, its $34.4 billion loan portfolio for renewable energy, nuclear and fuel-efficient technologies pales in comparison to, say, annual federal student loans (roughly $1 trillion) or even the $68 billion Congress used to rescue just one troubled insurance company, AIG.

But now, with the appointment of a new executive director this past May—the same month electric car maker Tesla repaid a $452 million LPO loan nine years early—the eight-year-old program is experiencing a dramatic revival as part of President Obama's recent push to tackle climate change.

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Indonesia:

Yokogawa Electric Corporation Wins Control System Order for Lahendong Geothermal Power Plant (4-traders.com)

(Courtesy Yokogawa)

Yokogawa Electric Corporation announces that its subsidiary, P.T. Yokogawa Indonesia, has received an order from PT. PLN, a government-owned utility in Indonesia, to supply the control system for a project that will renovate the first of four 20 MWe power generation units at the Lahendong geothermal power plant, which is located in the Lahendong district on Sulawesi Island.

As part of this renovation project, the system used to monitor and control the steam turbine auxiliary facilities in unit No. 1 will be replaced with the CENTUM®VP integrated production control system. Yokogawa Indonesia will be responsible for engineering, installing, and commissioning the new system. This project is scheduled to be completed by February 2014, whereupon unit No. 1 will be returned to service.

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Germany:

Taufkirchen Project to Start Construction This Fall (Think GeoEnergy)

A recent press statement by German energy and drilling company Daldrup & Söhne, says that the geothermal project in Taufkirchen has now received a green light to start construction of its combined heat and power geothermal plant.

The permitting process was lengthy and difficult, but a final permit was given in early August 2013. This allows the company to proceed with surface construction work this fall.

As part of test runs this year, it is expected that there will be a provision of heating to the local district heating network.

The first revenues are expected to bring around $340,000 in 2013. The start of operation of the combined heat and power plant is then expected for the fall of 2014.

Global:

US Geothermal Industry Fights to Prove Its Value (RenewableEnergyWorld)

Dennis Gilles, CEO of U.S. Geothermal

Geothermal industry leaders say they are losing a popularity contest with wind and solar power, but claim they are offering a better product.

“We dressed up to go to the prom, but the car is not showing up,” Dennis Gilles, CEO of U.S. Geothermal of Boise, Idaho, told attendees at the Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) Annual Meeting and the GEA Expo last week in Las Vegas.

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Global:

Capturing Geothermal Opportunity Amidst a Transitioning Market (RenewableEnergyWorld)

“I can remember as a young man driving from Carson City to Reno for the first time and I saw this steam coming out of the ground,” Nevada Senator Harry Reid told the geothermal industry last week. Although the congressman was in Washington DC trying to prevent a government shutdown, he and Senator Dean Heller both conveyed their support and appreciation of geothermal via video remarks at the Opening Session of the GRC Annual Meeting in Las Vegas.

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Canada:

Robson Valley Geothermal Project Nears Drilling Phase (The Rocky Mountain Goat)

(Courtesy Borealis Geopower)

Borealis Geopower, a Calgary-based geothermal exploration company, says this could be the year they begin a drilling program on the west side of Kinbasket, south of Valemount.

The company has been doing research at the Canoe Reach site for several years, trying to determine the best place to drill. Drilling is one of the most expensive and risky parts of exploration. If they are successful the company hopes to build a 10 MWe year-round energy source that connects to the grid. If developed, it would be the first commercial geothermal power production in BC.

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