Geothermal Energy Turns Carbon Dioxide into Electricity (Phys.Org)
Researchers are developing a new kind of geothermal power plant that will lock away unwanted carbon dioxide (CO2) underground—and use it as a tool to boost electric power generation by at least 10 times compared to existing geothermal energy approaches.
The technology to implement this design already exists in different industries, so the researchers are optimistic that their new approach could expand the use of geothermal energy in the U.S. far beyond the handful of states that can take advantage of it now.
Tomorrow, at the American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, the research team from Ohio State, the University of Minnesota and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, will debut a presentation "Multi-Fluid Geothermal Energy Systems: Using CO2 for Dispatchable Renewable Power Generation and Grid Stabilization," an expanded version of the design, along with a computer animated movie that merges advances in science with design and cognitive learning techniques to explain the role that energy technologies can have in addressing climate change.
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Thursday, December 12, 2013
Education:
3-Day Course: Developing & Delivering Geothermal Power Projects (Green Power Academy)
A comprehensive and clear-language introduction to the business of developing, executing and financing Geothermal power projects; led by a distinguished industry veteran.
- 24-26 Feb 2014 - New York, USA
- 12-14 May 2014 - London, U.K.
- 21-23 Jul 2014 - Nairobi, Kenya
- 1-3 Sep 2014 - Singapore
Australia:
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| (Courtesy AEMO) |
The 2013 National Transmission Network Development Plan (NTNDP), released on Thursday, also predicts that only renewable energy generation will be added to Australia’s grid out to 2020; 84 per cent of which would come from wind, 13 per cent from large-scale solar PV, and 3 per cent from biomass. The report predicts geothermal will contribute zero generation.
Biomass emerges as the only new baseload plant predicted to come online, with 1,000 MW installed in the carbon price scenario and about 330 MW in the zero carbon price scenario. Geothermal, which had been expected to come online towards the end of the 25-year outlook period (along with open cycle gas turbine peaking generation), has now been punted beyond the outlook period.
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USA, Nevada:
Holiday Shopping Deal on Ram Power Shares (Renewable Energy World)
Holders of Ram Power Corp. on November 26 received valuable coupons as the result of the company’s rights offering, announced November 18th. Just in time for the holidays, these coupons, or “rights” can be used to buy additional shares of Ram Power for 8¢ Canadian per share any time before 5:00 p.m. on December 23rd.
The reason for the extreme couponing at Ram Power is the company needs cash. Its main project, San Jacinto-Tizate in Nicaragua, is currently operating at reduced capacity while its contractors are working on a remediation project expected to bring its production up to somewhere between 59 MWe and 63 MWe of net electricity output. The remediation is expected to be complete in mid December, with results from testing in mid January, after which Ram will be eligible to receive distributions from the project.
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The reason for the extreme couponing at Ram Power is the company needs cash. Its main project, San Jacinto-Tizate in Nicaragua, is currently operating at reduced capacity while its contractors are working on a remediation project expected to bring its production up to somewhere between 59 MWe and 63 MWe of net electricity output. The remediation is expected to be complete in mid December, with results from testing in mid January, after which Ram will be eligible to receive distributions from the project.
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Philippines:
Basic Energy to Look for Geothermal in Sorsogon (BusinessWorld Online Edition)
Basic Energy Corp. has received a new service contract from the Energy department covering a geothermal concession area in West Bulusan in the province of Sorsogon, the firm said in a disclosure yesterday.
Basic said the concession area “hosts several relatively low-lying eruptive centers and domes of early- to late-Pleistocene age,” particularly Mt. Bintacan, Mt. Tabon-Tabon, Mt. Sisigon, Mt. Malobago, Mt. Calomoutan and Mt. Sujac.
“All are older than the presently active Bulusan Volcano located in the northeast,” the company noted.
“There are reported hot springs and altered grounds in the area which could enhance geothermal prospectivity.”
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Basic said the concession area “hosts several relatively low-lying eruptive centers and domes of early- to late-Pleistocene age,” particularly Mt. Bintacan, Mt. Tabon-Tabon, Mt. Sisigon, Mt. Malobago, Mt. Calomoutan and Mt. Sujac.
“All are older than the presently active Bulusan Volcano located in the northeast,” the company noted.
“There are reported hot springs and altered grounds in the area which could enhance geothermal prospectivity.”
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USA, Hawaii:
University of Hawaii to Survey Geothermal Energy on Oahu (Pacific Business News)
Oahu, which isn’t known for its abundance of geothermal energy, is about to re-enter the conversation after the head of the Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes looks to investigate further into the possibilities of geothermal energy on the Hawaii’s most populated island and biggest consumer of energy in the state.
Thus far, much of the talk regarding geothermal energy in Hawaii involves the Big Island, which is home to Puna Geothermal Venture, the only working geothermal plant in the state, and also Maui, where Ormat, the owner of Puna Geothermal, is studying the possibilities of this renewable, firm energy resource on the Valley Isle.
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Thus far, much of the talk regarding geothermal energy in Hawaii involves the Big Island, which is home to Puna Geothermal Venture, the only working geothermal plant in the state, and also Maui, where Ormat, the owner of Puna Geothermal, is studying the possibilities of this renewable, firm energy resource on the Valley Isle.
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USA, Michigan:
Class Investigates Tapping Mines for Geothermal Heat in Calumet (Michigan Tech News)
In a great example of serendipity, the mineshafts that propelled Calumet to the pinnacle of copper mining could possibly be used once again-- thanks to mine water--to heat buildings. Instead of being an environmental problem, the legacy of mining could be used for something to benefit both the community and the environment by lowering energy costs and reducing the carbon footprint.
A class at Michigan Technological University has studied the social feasibility of tapping into mine water underneath Calumet for geothermal energy. They’re presenting their findings this week at the Calumet-Laurium-Keweenaw (CLK) School Commons.
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| Students at Number 3 Calumet shaft near Calumet-Laurium-Keweenaw School (Courtesy MTU). |
A class at Michigan Technological University has studied the social feasibility of tapping into mine water underneath Calumet for geothermal energy. They’re presenting their findings this week at the Calumet-Laurium-Keweenaw (CLK) School Commons.
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Technology:
Big Batteries Needed To Make Fickle Wind And Solar Power Work (NPR)
Giant batteries are coming to a power grid near you. In fact, they're already starting to appear on the grid in California.
That's because California is planning to rely increasingly on power supplies that aren't necessarily available every minute of every day. The state plans to get one-third of its electricity from wind and solar energy and other renewables by 2020.
Utilities in the state are trying to figure out how they can cope with that uncertain power supply. Batteries aren't a panacea, but they could help.
Read More......
California plans to get 33 percent of its electricity from wind and solar power and other renewables by 2020. But that will only work if the state can economically store some of the energy for release on cloudy, windless days.
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| PG&E storage batteries near Vacaville, northern California (Courtesy Richard Harris / NPR) |
Giant batteries are coming to a power grid near you. In fact, they're already starting to appear on the grid in California.
That's because California is planning to rely increasingly on power supplies that aren't necessarily available every minute of every day. The state plans to get one-third of its electricity from wind and solar energy and other renewables by 2020.
Utilities in the state are trying to figure out how they can cope with that uncertain power supply. Batteries aren't a panacea, but they could help.
Read More......
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Iceland:
Believe it or Not: Icelandic Geothermal to Power European Cars (Smartplanet)
Iceland is known for geothermal power. Hot earth generates a quarter of the country's electricity and provides heating to homes, offices and swimming pools.
Now, some of that roiling, boiling energy source will end up in European cars and make them more fuel efficient, thanks to a deal struck by Reykjavik's Carbon Recycling International (CRI) and Dutch oil company Argos.
CRI will provide methanol that Argos will add into gasoline, CRI announced on its website. Methanol-gasoline blends are known to enhance mileage.
Now, some of that roiling, boiling energy source will end up in European cars and make them more fuel efficient, thanks to a deal struck by Reykjavik's Carbon Recycling International (CRI) and Dutch oil company Argos.
CRI will provide methanol that Argos will add into gasoline, CRI announced on its website. Methanol-gasoline blends are known to enhance mileage.
Australia:
Geodynamics Acquires More than 90% of KUTh Energy Limited (News Release)
Geodynamics Limited has announced that it now holds a relevant interest of 90.45% of the issued shares of KUTh Energy Limited, providing Geodynamics with the right to compulsorily acquire all the remaining KUTh shares for which it has not already received acceptances of its takeover Offer.
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Africa:
Partnering To Power Up Africa (Voice of America)
(AUDIO 3:39 Minutes)
President Barack Obama’s campaign to double the number of people in Sub-Saharan Africa with access to electrical power is picking up steam. As part of the Power Africa initiative, the Ethiopian government recently entered into an agreement with an American-Icelandic company, Reykjavik Geothermal, to construct a 1000 MWe power plant. The Corbetti facility will be Ethiopia’s first independent power project in the country’s history.
Read More......
President Barack Obama’s campaign to double the number of people in Sub-Saharan Africa with access to electrical power is picking up steam
(AUDIO 3:39 Minutes)
President Barack Obama’s campaign to double the number of people in Sub-Saharan Africa with access to electrical power is picking up steam. As part of the Power Africa initiative, the Ethiopian government recently entered into an agreement with an American-Icelandic company, Reykjavik Geothermal, to construct a 1000 MWe power plant. The Corbetti facility will be Ethiopia’s first independent power project in the country’s history.
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Germany:
Daldrup & Söhne AG Acquires Majority Stake in Landau Power Plant (Think GeoEnergy)
The German energy and drilling company Daldrup & Söhne AG has announced it has acquired the 50 percent stake in the Landau geothermal power plant held by Pfalzwerke, a local utility.
Daldrup now holds 90 percent in the geox operating company. This is the first time that an operating geothermal plant has seen an ownership change. Through its subsidiary, Geysir Europe, Daldrup will take over the stake from Pfalzwerke on January 1, 2014. Earlier this year Geysir bought 40 percent from Energie-Suedwest, a subsidiary company of the city of Landau. The remaining 10 percent remain in the possession of Energie-Suedwest.
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Daldrup now holds 90 percent in the geox operating company. This is the first time that an operating geothermal plant has seen an ownership change. Through its subsidiary, Geysir Europe, Daldrup will take over the stake from Pfalzwerke on January 1, 2014. Earlier this year Geysir bought 40 percent from Energie-Suedwest, a subsidiary company of the city of Landau. The remaining 10 percent remain in the possession of Energie-Suedwest.
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USA, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho:
Yellowstone Supervolcano 'Even More Colossal' (BBC News)
The supervolcano that lies beneath Yellowstone National Park in the US is far larger than was previously thought, scientists report.
A study shows that the magma chamber is about 2.5 times bigger than earlier estimates suggested.
A team found the cavern stretches for more than 90km (55 miles) and contains 200-600 cubic km of molten rock reaching depths of between 2km and 15km (1 to 9 miles).
The findings are being presented at the American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting in San Francisco.
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| An erupting Yellowstone volcano would have serious consequences for the USA (Courtesy BBC News) |
A study shows that the magma chamber is about 2.5 times bigger than earlier estimates suggested.
A team found the cavern stretches for more than 90km (55 miles) and contains 200-600 cubic km of molten rock reaching depths of between 2km and 15km (1 to 9 miles).
The findings are being presented at the American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting in San Francisco.
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Canada:
Geothermal Energy Touted as Alternative to Hydroelectric Project (Energeticcity.ca)
The Canadian Geothermal Energy Association (CanGEA) believes thermal energy stored beneath the Earth’s surface presents a “cost-effective and low impact” alternative to the Site C dam, as presented at the project’s public hearing in Fort St. John Tuesday.
Speaking via teleconference, CanGEA Chair Alison Thompson maintains that B.C. Hydro and the provincial government have decided that geothermal energy is “inconvenient” and dismiss the idea, while several other countries embrace it. She points to the United States and Mexico as being the first and fourth largest producers of geothermal energy, and notes that Canada has similar North American geology.
“The same resource that hosts greater than 4,300 MWe of geothermal power in Mexico and the U.S., including Alaska north of us, clearly exists in B.C.,” she explains. “165 projects are being currently developed in similar geology as B.C. has.
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| Artist rendering of the proposed Site C dam (Courtesy B.C. Hydro) |
Speaking via teleconference, CanGEA Chair Alison Thompson maintains that B.C. Hydro and the provincial government have decided that geothermal energy is “inconvenient” and dismiss the idea, while several other countries embrace it. She points to the United States and Mexico as being the first and fourth largest producers of geothermal energy, and notes that Canada has similar North American geology.
“The same resource that hosts greater than 4,300 MWe of geothermal power in Mexico and the U.S., including Alaska north of us, clearly exists in B.C.,” she explains. “165 projects are being currently developed in similar geology as B.C. has.
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USA, Hawaii:
Parker Ranch May Tap into Geothermal Energy Resources (Pacific Business News)
Parker Ranch on the Big Island, one of the largest private landowners in Hawaii, could become a major energy player following the University of Hawaii’s recent discovery that the Waimea ranch’s land might have potential for geothermal resources, Parker Ranch CEO Dutch Kuyper told Pacific Business News on Tuesday.
“The [main] goal is reducing [high] electricity rates,” he said.
The working cattle ranch, which encompasses more than 100,000 acres, has agreed to partner with the Hawaii Institute of Geophysics and Planetology of the University of Hawaii on an ongoing study of possible geothermal resource areas and groundwater in the state.
Thus far, preliminary findings have concluded that there may be geothermal and groundwater resources underneath Parker Ranch lands, and the planned work will help the ranch find out whether accessible, high-level groundwater may be available for ranch use and whether there is a significant likelihood that deeper geothermal resources could help supply the ranch’s energy needs and possibly the area, island and state, Kuyper said.
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| (Courtesy Parker Ranch) |
“The [main] goal is reducing [high] electricity rates,” he said.
The working cattle ranch, which encompasses more than 100,000 acres, has agreed to partner with the Hawaii Institute of Geophysics and Planetology of the University of Hawaii on an ongoing study of possible geothermal resource areas and groundwater in the state.
Thus far, preliminary findings have concluded that there may be geothermal and groundwater resources underneath Parker Ranch lands, and the planned work will help the ranch find out whether accessible, high-level groundwater may be available for ranch use and whether there is a significant likelihood that deeper geothermal resources could help supply the ranch’s energy needs and possibly the area, island and state, Kuyper said.
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Technology:
Can Certain Geothermal Technologies Better Withstand Climate Change than Others? (Renewable Energy World)
Nearly one month after Typhoon Haiyan ravaged the Philippines, affecting more than 12 million people and killing almost 6,000, many residents are still sitting in the dark. The Superstorm not only decimated the islands’ transmission systems, it knocked out one of its main power sources — geothermal.
Clustered on the hardest hit island of Leyte, geothermal plants were a sitting duck for Haiyan’s harshest wrath. All five plants located on the island, totaling more than 600 megawatts (MW) of capacity, were incapacitated immediately following the storm. But in the weeks that followed, two plants were able to start putting some power back onto the grid, and revealed that the type of technology used may make a life-changing difference.
“Somehow the binary systems survived the disaster a little bit better. Maybe because they are a little bit more rugged. Maybe because they are a bit more low profile and can better withstand high winds,” said Nir Wolfe, vice president of sales and business development at Ormat Technologies.
Read More......
As superstorms like Typhoon Haiyan strike at an increasing rate, we are learning which technologies hold up best.
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| Tanganon Geothermal Plant, Leyte Island, Philippines (Photo by Cepi Budi Mansyur, Ormoc City) |
Clustered on the hardest hit island of Leyte, geothermal plants were a sitting duck for Haiyan’s harshest wrath. All five plants located on the island, totaling more than 600 megawatts (MW) of capacity, were incapacitated immediately following the storm. But in the weeks that followed, two plants were able to start putting some power back onto the grid, and revealed that the type of technology used may make a life-changing difference.
“Somehow the binary systems survived the disaster a little bit better. Maybe because they are a little bit more rugged. Maybe because they are a bit more low profile and can better withstand high winds,” said Nir Wolfe, vice president of sales and business development at Ormat Technologies.
Read More......
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Global:
IRENA Demystifies Renewable Energy Costs
On the occasion of the sixth meeting of its Council in Abu Dhabi, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) launched a unique web portal dedicated to renewable energy cost analysis (www.irena.org/costs). The portal provides access to IRENA’s data and analysis at no cost to users.
The web portal makes the latest and best cost data, as well as the Agency’s analysis, publications, presentations and charts accessible to the public. It provides an important service for the further development of renewable energy globally.
IRENA - Technology Costs for Geothermal - Geothermal Energy Charts
IRENA’s Power Generation Cost Analysis and Geothermal - PowerPoint Presentation
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The web portal makes the latest and best cost data, as well as the Agency’s analysis, publications, presentations and charts accessible to the public. It provides an important service for the further development of renewable energy globally.
IRENA - Technology Costs for Geothermal - Geothermal Energy Charts
IRENA’s Power Generation Cost Analysis and Geothermal - PowerPoint Presentation
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Iceland Audio:
The Geyser Erupts (BBC Radio 3)
For more than a millennium, Iceland's composers have drawn upon the sounds of its unique geology: sounds created in a glacial, geothermal landscape like nowhere else on earth. Searing water explodes from fissures; the earth steams spongily underfoot; vast, electric-blue hunks of solid ice crack and collide as they bob down otherwise silent fjords. Yet Iceland's classical music tradition remains barely known. This week, Donald Macleod explores the landscapes and vistas of the world's most northerly island nation to discover its unique musical culture.
Jón Leifs' symphonic poem "Geysir" portrays the awe-inspiring geothermal eruption of one of his nation's most famous natural wonders. Donald Macleod pays a visit to Geysir to introduce Leifs' own highly-imaginative musical explosion.
A music documentary from BBC Radio 3 in the United Kingdom experiences the vast sonic eruptions of the 'original' geyser at Geysir, Iceland and introduces works by Jón Leifs portraying his nation's unique landscape.
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| Geysir Erupting (Wikipedia Creative Commons) |
Jón Leifs' symphonic poem "Geysir" portrays the awe-inspiring geothermal eruption of one of his nation's most famous natural wonders. Donald Macleod pays a visit to Geysir to introduce Leifs' own highly-imaginative musical explosion.
Global:
GRC 2014 Annual Meeting Announced ‐ Call for Papers Issued
The Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) has issued a call for papers for the world’s largest annual geothermal conference taking place September 28-October 1, 2014, in Portland, Oregon at the Oregon Convention Center. Themed “Geothermal: A Global Solution” the 38th Annual Meeting will reflect the world-wide growth of geothermal energy.
The GRC Annual Meeting is the industry’s largest annual gathering of leading geothermal energy scientists, producers, renewable energy industry stakeholders, regulators, utilities, and key associated business leaders. The four-day event will offer technical, policy, and market conference sessions, educational seminars, tours of local geothermal and renewable energy projects, and numerous networking opportunities. Registration also includes entry to the GEA Geothermal Energy Expo.
38th Geothermal Resources Council Annual Meeting will be held Sept. 28‐Oct. 1 in Portland, Oregon, USA.
Theme is “Geothermal: A Global Solution.”
The GRC Annual Meeting is the industry’s largest annual gathering of leading geothermal energy scientists, producers, renewable energy industry stakeholders, regulators, utilities, and key associated business leaders. The four-day event will offer technical, policy, and market conference sessions, educational seminars, tours of local geothermal and renewable energy projects, and numerous networking opportunities. Registration also includes entry to the GEA Geothermal Energy Expo.
Australia:
Petición De Ponencias “Geothermal Congress 2015″ - Call For Papers "World Geothermal Congress 2015" (Piensa En Geotermia)
El Comité WGC2015 invita a la presentación de ponencias y trabajos para el Programa Técnico del Congreso Geotérmico Mundial que se celebrará entre los días 19 y 25 abril del 2015 en el Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Melbourne, Australia.
The WGC2015 Committee invites the submission of papers and work for the Technical Programme of the World Geothermal Congress to be held between 19 and 25 April 2015 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Melbourne, Australia.
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The WGC2015 Committee invites the submission of papers and work for the Technical Programme of the World Geothermal Congress to be held between 19 and 25 April 2015 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Melbourne, Australia.
Leer Más...... Read More.....
Monday, December 9, 2013
USA:
GRC Members Win Domestic Geothermal Energy Honors (News Release)
The U.S. Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) has announced the winners for the GEA Honors, which recognize companies and individuals in the United States, that have made significant contributions during the past year to advancing technology, spurring economic development and protecting the environment. The honors included the following members of the GRC:
Technological Advancement: Awarded for developing a new, innovative or pioneering technology to further geothermal development. U.S. Geothermal's 22 MW Neal Hot Springs Geothermal Power Plant.
Environmental Stewardship: Awarded for fostering outstanding environmental stewardship through the use of geothermal systems. This award is presented in conjunction with the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI). Dale Merrick, Canby Geothermal.
Special Recognition: Presented to individuals or companies for their outstanding achievement in the geothermal industry. Katherine Young and her team at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) for their work on the Geothermal Regulatory Road-map development.
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Members of the Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) were prominent in this year's GEA Honors.
Technological Advancement: Awarded for developing a new, innovative or pioneering technology to further geothermal development. U.S. Geothermal's 22 MW Neal Hot Springs Geothermal Power Plant.
Environmental Stewardship: Awarded for fostering outstanding environmental stewardship through the use of geothermal systems. This award is presented in conjunction with the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI). Dale Merrick, Canby Geothermal.
Special Recognition: Presented to individuals or companies for their outstanding achievement in the geothermal industry. Katherine Young and her team at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) for their work on the Geothermal Regulatory Road-map development.
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USA, California:
Imperial Valley Agencies Develop Plan to Save Ailing Salton Sea (Los Angeles Times)
With an ominous deadline approaching, two feuding Imperial Valley agencies have put aside their differences and developed a plan they hope can save the ailing Salton Sea, the state's largest body of water and often considered its most vexing environmental problem.
The Imperial Irrigation District and the Imperial County Board of Supervisors have agreed to push for additional geothermal energy exploration on the eastern edge of the sea.
Read More....... (VIDEO 2:22 Minutes)
After 2017, the Salton Sea could be at risk of receding further. The new goal is to raise funds for restoration through the sale of geothermal energy.
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| Bruce Wilcox, Environmental Manager at Imperial Irrigation District, looks over the receding waters of the Salton Sea |
The Imperial Irrigation District and the Imperial County Board of Supervisors have agreed to push for additional geothermal energy exploration on the eastern edge of the sea.
Read More....... (VIDEO 2:22 Minutes)
USA, New Mexico:
Geothermal Exploration Begins on Tribal Lands (ABQ Journal)
Deep beneath the russet-colored Jemez Pueblo lands lies a source of water that tribal leaders hope may be a springboard to economic development opportunities.
Testing will begin within a few weeks on water at the bottom of a 5,657-foot, recently drilled well that will show whether it is hot enough to generate electric power. Other options include using the geothermal heat for greenhouse agriculture, fish farming, heating buildings or a health spa.
The Jemez Valley, just 40 miles north of Albuquerque, is known for hot springs that stem from ancient volcanic activity. In 2009, Jemez Pueblo landed a $4.9 million Department of Energy grant to explore ways the hot water sources could be developed for geothermal energy.
The first step was to conduct a study using seismic technology that examined the formations beneath a 6-square-mile area of tribal land to a depth of 18,000 feet. Based on the study data, they decided to drill at a site east of N.M. 4, about two miles south of the pueblo.
They hired Aztec Well Services to do the drilling and geothermal exploration specialist Virgil Welch as an on-site consultant. Utah-based TBA Power managed development of the survey techniques and drilling plan.
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| The geothermal wellhead atop the 5,657-foot deep well on Jemez Pueblo lands (Courtesy Dean Hanson/Albuquerque Journal) |
Testing will begin within a few weeks on water at the bottom of a 5,657-foot, recently drilled well that will show whether it is hot enough to generate electric power. Other options include using the geothermal heat for greenhouse agriculture, fish farming, heating buildings or a health spa.
The Jemez Valley, just 40 miles north of Albuquerque, is known for hot springs that stem from ancient volcanic activity. In 2009, Jemez Pueblo landed a $4.9 million Department of Energy grant to explore ways the hot water sources could be developed for geothermal energy.
The first step was to conduct a study using seismic technology that examined the formations beneath a 6-square-mile area of tribal land to a depth of 18,000 feet. Based on the study data, they decided to drill at a site east of N.M. 4, about two miles south of the pueblo.
They hired Aztec Well Services to do the drilling and geothermal exploration specialist Virgil Welch as an on-site consultant. Utah-based TBA Power managed development of the survey techniques and drilling plan.
Read More.....
Philippines:
Geothermal Company Helps Bring Christmas to Leyte (Philippine Information Agency)
Geothermal leader Energy Development Corporation (EDC) in cooperation with the local government of Valencia put up the Nativity scene and a giant Christmas tree as part of thanksgiving gesture this Christmas season for the town recovering from the deadly typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan.
EDC’s 701 MWe geothermal steam field in Leyte, which is the world’s largest, was not spared by the super typhoon that hit the country on November 8.
The company is still repairing damaged parts of its power plants in Leyte, including the 112.5 MWe Tongonan Geothermal Power Plant which incidentally celebrated its 30th year anniversary this year together with EDC’s 112.5 MWe Palinpinon-1 in Valencia.
EDC began repairing its damaged facilities in Leyte where it received also immediate assistance in the form of relief goods, medicines, medical missions, providing solar packs and lamp posts and lending generator sets to help rebuild the province.
Its employees in Negros Island were the first to gather and send 5,000 packs of relief goods to their colleagues and to their host communities in Ormoc the day after Yolanda hit the province.
EDC’s Negros Island Geothermal Business Unit (NIGBU), which is comprised of both its Southern and Northern Negros sites, were able to assemble more than 25,000 packs in four waves of basic relief goods, and first aid and medical supplies, courtesy of over 1,000 dedicated volunteers from its workforce as well as the different stakeholder groups from the academe, host barangays, local government units, farmers associations, the church and the Emergency Response Teams in Valencia.
Read More......
Geothermal leader Energy Development Corporation (EDC) in cooperation with the local government of Valencia put up the Nativity scene and a giant Christmas tree as part of thanksgiving gesture this Christmas season for the town recovering from the deadly typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan.
EDC’s 701 MWe geothermal steam field in Leyte, which is the world’s largest, was not spared by the super typhoon that hit the country on November 8.
The company is still repairing damaged parts of its power plants in Leyte, including the 112.5 MWe Tongonan Geothermal Power Plant which incidentally celebrated its 30th year anniversary this year together with EDC’s 112.5 MWe Palinpinon-1 in Valencia.
EDC began repairing its damaged facilities in Leyte where it received also immediate assistance in the form of relief goods, medicines, medical missions, providing solar packs and lamp posts and lending generator sets to help rebuild the province.
Its employees in Negros Island were the first to gather and send 5,000 packs of relief goods to their colleagues and to their host communities in Ormoc the day after Yolanda hit the province.
EDC’s Negros Island Geothermal Business Unit (NIGBU), which is comprised of both its Southern and Northern Negros sites, were able to assemble more than 25,000 packs in four waves of basic relief goods, and first aid and medical supplies, courtesy of over 1,000 dedicated volunteers from its workforce as well as the different stakeholder groups from the academe, host barangays, local government units, farmers associations, the church and the Emergency Response Teams in Valencia.
Read More......
Friday, December 6, 2013
Iceland:
Geothermal Keeps Iceland Warm (The Reykjavik Grapevine)
Iceland is living up to its expectations with temperatures dropping significantly in the past few days, reaching -20°C (-4°F) in some places. This is when Icelanders rely on geothermal water to get by.
90% of the geothermal water utilized in Iceland is used for central heating and according to Reykjavík Energy, usage of hot water in the capital area alone went up to 15,800 tons per hour on Thursday afternoon.
That’s equivalent of the hourly water volume needed for the Kárahnjúkavirkjun and Búrfellsvirkjun power plants combined, producing all in all 930 MWe, RÚV reports.
Last week, the hot water usage was around 10,000 tons per hour so the increase is 60% over a few days, due to the cold weather.
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| (Courtesy Veðurstofa Íslands) |
90% of the geothermal water utilized in Iceland is used for central heating and according to Reykjavík Energy, usage of hot water in the capital area alone went up to 15,800 tons per hour on Thursday afternoon.
That’s equivalent of the hourly water volume needed for the Kárahnjúkavirkjun and Búrfellsvirkjun power plants combined, producing all in all 930 MWe, RÚV reports.
Last week, the hot water usage was around 10,000 tons per hour so the increase is 60% over a few days, due to the cold weather.
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United Kingdom:
Geothermal Energy PhD Opportunity in Scotland
The School of Engineering at the University of Glasgow is seeking a highly motivated graduate to undertake an exciting 3 year NERC CASE PhD project.
The project is co-sponsored by Cluff Geothermal Ltd and will be supervised by Professor Paul L Younger FREng
The School of Engineering of the University of Glasgow is seeking a highly motivated graduate to undertake an exciting 3-year PhD project entitled ‘A conceptual hydrogeological model for fault-related geothermal energy resources in northern Britain’ within the Systems, Power and Energy Division.
You will join the UK’s largest geothermal research team, comprising seven academic staff and five PhD students, with a wide range of disciplinary backgrounds. The first supervisor will be Professor Paul Younger FREng, Rankine Chair of Engineering and Professor of Energy Engineering. The second supervisor will be Dr Daniel Koehn, a structural geologist in the School of Geographical and Earth Sciences. The industrial supervisor will be Dr Michael Feliks of Cluff Geothermal Ltd.
Read More......
A conceptual hydrogeological model for fault-related geothermal energy resources in northern Britain
The project is co-sponsored by Cluff Geothermal Ltd and will be supervised by Professor Paul L Younger FREng
The School of Engineering of the University of Glasgow is seeking a highly motivated graduate to undertake an exciting 3-year PhD project entitled ‘A conceptual hydrogeological model for fault-related geothermal energy resources in northern Britain’ within the Systems, Power and Energy Division.
You will join the UK’s largest geothermal research team, comprising seven academic staff and five PhD students, with a wide range of disciplinary backgrounds. The first supervisor will be Professor Paul Younger FREng, Rankine Chair of Engineering and Professor of Energy Engineering. The second supervisor will be Dr Daniel Koehn, a structural geologist in the School of Geographical and Earth Sciences. The industrial supervisor will be Dr Michael Feliks of Cluff Geothermal Ltd.
Read More......
Japan:
Geothermal to Power Trains in Japan (The Japan News)
East Japan Railway Co. will begin geothermal and wind power businesses in a bid to reduce environmental pollution, as its railway operations consume massive amounts of electricity, informed sources said.
The company, known as JR East, plans to build a geothermal power plant in Aomori Prefecture and a wind farm in Akita Prefecture with the aim of assisting development in the Tohoku region, which was devastated by the March 2011 disaster.
The company will begin construction as early as fiscal 2014, after environmental impact assessments and other preparatory work are complete, the sources said Thursday.
For the geothermal plant, JR East is jointly surveying land in Aomori with Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. and general contractor Obayashi Corp.
JR East plans to generate several thousand kilowatts of electricity at the plant by using steam taken from 1,500 meters underground. The power will be sold to Tohoku Electric Power Co.
Read More.....
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| The JR East Network (Courtesy JR East) |
The company, known as JR East, plans to build a geothermal power plant in Aomori Prefecture and a wind farm in Akita Prefecture with the aim of assisting development in the Tohoku region, which was devastated by the March 2011 disaster.
The company will begin construction as early as fiscal 2014, after environmental impact assessments and other preparatory work are complete, the sources said Thursday.
For the geothermal plant, JR East is jointly surveying land in Aomori with Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. and general contractor Obayashi Corp.
JR East plans to generate several thousand kilowatts of electricity at the plant by using steam taken from 1,500 meters underground. The power will be sold to Tohoku Electric Power Co.
Read More.....
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Technology:
Seismic Monitoring a Critical Step in EGS Development (Geothermal Technologies Office)
The ability to accurately locate and characterize the release of seismic energy, generated from micro earthquakes (MEQ) is of paramount importance to the development and monitoring of EGS. MagiQ Technologies Inc., a small, innovative business, has developed a seismic sensor that does just that, all while operating at temperatures up to 300°C.
In FY 2013, MagiQ successfully completed a Small Business Innovative Research Phase II award. This project culminated in the third-party testing and evaluation of their optical-based seismic sensor at Sandia National Laboratory’s (SNL) Ground-Based Monitoring Research and Evaluation Center.
MagiQ’s sensor offers a number of important technical advantages: the sensor package does not contain electronic components that are failure-prone at high temperatures, and it can be scaled to hundreds of sensors deployed on a single optical fiber. Preliminary results show sub-Hz to multi-kHz frequency response, with sensitivity less than 10 ng/Hz1/2 (up to 1 kHz), sampling rates up to 10 MHz, with a dynamic range of 80 decibels.
Read More......
In FY 2013, MagiQ successfully completed a Small Business Innovative Research Phase II award. This project culminated in the third-party testing and evaluation of their optical-based seismic sensor at Sandia National Laboratory’s (SNL) Ground-Based Monitoring Research and Evaluation Center.
MagiQ’s sensor offers a number of important technical advantages: the sensor package does not contain electronic components that are failure-prone at high temperatures, and it can be scaled to hundreds of sensors deployed on a single optical fiber. Preliminary results show sub-Hz to multi-kHz frequency response, with sensitivity less than 10 ng/Hz1/2 (up to 1 kHz), sampling rates up to 10 MHz, with a dynamic range of 80 decibels.
Read More......
Philippines:
Maibarara Geothermal Plant Launch Delayed (Business Mirror)
Maibarara Geothermal Inc. (MGI) has moved the commercial operation of its 20-MWe geothermal power facility in Batangas to early next year, said its top official.
MGI President Francisco Delfin Jr. said the power plant needs to undergo further tests before it is cleared for a commercial launch.
“It looks like that we will extend the testing to early 2014 because Fuji Electric, the main supplier of our equipment, wanted to do some additional tests on certain equipment,” said Delfin, adding that actual operation will start only after Fuji Electric concludes all tests.
The company agreed with Fuji Electric’s proposal to conduct more tests. “Because it is a matter of safety and future operations, we agreed with them to do additional testing so that’s where we are now,” added Delfin.
Read More.....
Maibarara Geothermal Inc. (MGI) has moved the commercial operation of its 20-MWe geothermal power facility in Batangas to early next year, said its top official.
“It looks like that we will extend the testing to early 2014 because Fuji Electric, the main supplier of our equipment, wanted to do some additional tests on certain equipment,” said Delfin, adding that actual operation will start only after Fuji Electric concludes all tests.
The company agreed with Fuji Electric’s proposal to conduct more tests. “Because it is a matter of safety and future operations, we agreed with them to do additional testing so that’s where we are now,” added Delfin.
Read More.....
Germany:
Germany Expands Renewables Targets, Considers ‘Virtual Baseload’ (greentechmedia)
Germany is expanding its renewable energy targets under a grand coalition agreement by the country’s two major political parties, but is also toying with the idea of introducing the concept of “virtual baseload.”
The government intends to investigate whether large renewable energy producers would need to guarantee a contribution to reliable baseload supply to enhance the security of supply.
They could possibly do this with contracts and individual agreements with storage operators, or by getting “insurance” from other electricity producers, such as gas-fired generation.
“This could mean that renewable generators may be forced to buy 'insurance' from conventional stations to provide this baseload capability (given the strong intermittency of wind, solar); this could likely imply some sort of a capacity payments from renewable generators to utilities,” a note from Deutsche Bank analysts said. Of course, geothermal energy generators will not have to buy insurance as geothermal is the ultimate baseload energy.
Read More.....
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| (Courtesy CIA.gov) |
The government intends to investigate whether large renewable energy producers would need to guarantee a contribution to reliable baseload supply to enhance the security of supply.
They could possibly do this with contracts and individual agreements with storage operators, or by getting “insurance” from other electricity producers, such as gas-fired generation.
“This could mean that renewable generators may be forced to buy 'insurance' from conventional stations to provide this baseload capability (given the strong intermittency of wind, solar); this could likely imply some sort of a capacity payments from renewable generators to utilities,” a note from Deutsche Bank analysts said. Of course, geothermal energy generators will not have to buy insurance as geothermal is the ultimate baseload energy.
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USA:
Obama Tells Government to Boost Renewable Power 20 Percent (Washington Post)
Saying the government should lead by example, President Barack Obama is ordering the U.S. federal government to nearly triple its use of renewable sources for electricity by 2020.
Obama says the plan to use renewables for 20 percent of electricity needs will help reduce pollution that causes global warming, promote American energy independence and boost domestic energy sources such as solar, wind and geothermal power that provide thousands of jobs.
His order says the government should use renewable sources for 10 percent of its electricity in 2015 and gradually increase that amount to 20 percent by 2020.
Read More......
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| (Courtesy whitehouse.gov) |
Obama says the plan to use renewables for 20 percent of electricity needs will help reduce pollution that causes global warming, promote American energy independence and boost domestic energy sources such as solar, wind and geothermal power that provide thousands of jobs.
His order says the government should use renewable sources for 10 percent of its electricity in 2015 and gradually increase that amount to 20 percent by 2020.
Read More......
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Global:
The Latest News from the Leading Geothermal Energy Magazine
The Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) has published the latest GRC Bulletin, the definitive voice of the global geothermal energy industry, continuously since 1972.
A free article from the GRC Bulletin - Volume 42, No. 6 - November/December 2013
The Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) has published the latest GRC Bulletin, the definitive voice of the global geothermal energy industry, continuously since 1972.
The Bulletin is free with GRC Membership or subscribe (PDF) to six issues a year for $90 in the USA or $140 worldwide.
The GRC has generously published 12 pages from the latest issue for free. However, the full issue is 56 pages! Join the GRC or subscribe to get the complete issue.
Europe:
New Geothermal Market Report for Europe
The European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC) Geothermal Market Report 2013/2014 was launched yesterday.
This third edition includes an extensive overview of the geothermal energy markets (both electricity and heat), and a summary of the existing financial support schemes for Geothermal electricity in Europe.
Burkhard Sanner, President of EGEC, highlights two key findings in the 2013/14 report:
The European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC) Geothermal Market Report 2013/2014 was launched yesterday.This third edition includes an extensive overview of the geothermal energy markets (both electricity and heat), and a summary of the existing financial support schemes for Geothermal electricity in Europe.
Burkhard Sanner, President of EGEC, highlights two key findings in the 2013/14 report:
- For geothermal power and geothermal district heating, some coverage of the geological risk is of paramount importance in order to attract investors.
- For geothermal heat pumps, we need to have a level playing field with gas and other fossil fuels, and regulatory barriers against wider use must be removed.
Read More..... Click here to order your copy.
Philippines:
New Partner in Batangas Geothermal Project (BusinessWorld Online Edition)
Trans-Asia Oil and Energy Corp., a unit of investment firm Phinma Corp., is taking a stake in a Batangas geothermal exploration project of Basic Energy Corp., both listed energy companies said in separate disclosures yesterday.
Under a memorandum agreement signed Dec. 2, “Trans-Asia shall acquire from Basic 10% participating interest in the Mabini Geothermal Service Contract (GSC),” the disclosures read, adding that this “interest may be increased to up to 40%, at the option of Trans-Asia.”
Both parties will execute a farm-in agreement once Trans-Asia will have decided on a definitive interest, “depending on the results of the onshore gravity program...” Basic said in its disclosure.
The Mabini GSC requires drilling of one exploratory well by July 2015, Basic’s disclosure added.
Read More.....
Under a memorandum agreement signed Dec. 2, “Trans-Asia shall acquire from Basic 10% participating interest in the Mabini Geothermal Service Contract (GSC),” the disclosures read, adding that this “interest may be increased to up to 40%, at the option of Trans-Asia.”
Both parties will execute a farm-in agreement once Trans-Asia will have decided on a definitive interest, “depending on the results of the onshore gravity program...” Basic said in its disclosure.
The Mabini GSC requires drilling of one exploratory well by July 2015, Basic’s disclosure added.
Read More.....
USA, Hawaii:
HELCO Delays Geothermal Contract Award (Hawaii Tribune-Herald)
The Hawaii Electric Light Co. says awarding a contract for another 50 MWe of geothermal power will take more time. But how long remains unclear.
The utility was initially expecting to make a selection among the six companies that submitted proposals by September. It later pushed that timeline to the end of November.
That deadline was missed, and HELCO Administration Manager Rhea Lee said Monday that a new date is in the process of being determined.
Read More.....
The Hawaii Electric Light Co. says awarding a contract for another 50 MWe of geothermal power will take more time. But how long remains unclear.
The utility was initially expecting to make a selection among the six companies that submitted proposals by September. It later pushed that timeline to the end of November.
That deadline was missed, and HELCO Administration Manager Rhea Lee said Monday that a new date is in the process of being determined.
Read More.....
USA, Utah, Arizona:
Utah Geothermal Energy Bubbles Up In Arizona (EarthTechling)
Phoenicians, your air conditioners will now run partly on geothermal energy from Utah.
Some 350 miles to the north of the Valley of the Sun, Enel Green Power’s Cove Fort geothermal power plant has begun operations . The 25 MWe binary cycle plant is expected to produce about 160 gigawatt-hours of power per year, which will go to the Salt River Project – a public utility serving parts of central Arizona, including much of Phoenix – under a 20-year agreement.
Read More.....
Some 350 miles to the north of the Valley of the Sun, Enel Green Power’s Cove Fort geothermal power plant has begun operations . The 25 MWe binary cycle plant is expected to produce about 160 gigawatt-hours of power per year, which will go to the Salt River Project – a public utility serving parts of central Arizona, including much of Phoenix – under a 20-year agreement.
Read More.....
United Kingdom:
Under-Performing Renewable Heat Incentive to Get More Support (Greenwise Business)
Energy Minister Greg Barker said the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), the U.K. Government’s main subsidy mechanism to get homes and businesses to switch to renewable heating systems is to be broadened and improved to include more technologies and increased tariffs for non-domestic installations. The changes mean air source heat pumps, biomass combined heat and power (CHP) and deep geothermal are to be included in the non-domestic scheme. Meanwhile, commercial and industrial companies that install technologies such as solar thermal, biomass and ground source heat pumps will benefit from higher RHI tariffs.
Key changes to the scheme include a new tariff for deep geothermal heat at five pence per kilowatt hour (p/kWh). Ground source heat pumps, meanwhile, will be moved off a banded tariff onto a single tariff of 7.2 p/kWh, which will be tiered.
Read More......
New tariff for deep geothermal heat is five pence per kilowatt hour.
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| (Courtesy CIA.gov) |
Key changes to the scheme include a new tariff for deep geothermal heat at five pence per kilowatt hour (p/kWh). Ground source heat pumps, meanwhile, will be moved off a banded tariff onto a single tariff of 7.2 p/kWh, which will be tiered.
Read More......
New Zealand:
Ngatamariki Geothermal Power Station Wins International Award (Press Release)
Mighty River Power’s Ngatamariki Geothermal Power Station has taken out top honours at the World GeoPower Markets Awards 2013, held in Amsterdam last night, winning the international award for Best Power Project.
The company’s General Manager Development, Mark Trigg, said the award was particularly significant as external recognition for the successful completion of Ngatamariki Geothermal Power Station, confirming Mighty River Power as a world leading geothermal developer.
Read More......
The company’s General Manager Development, Mark Trigg, said the award was particularly significant as external recognition for the successful completion of Ngatamariki Geothermal Power Station, confirming Mighty River Power as a world leading geothermal developer.
Read More......
Chile:
Enel Wins Chile Generation Contract - Announces Geothermal Exploration (Press Release)
As part of the Chilean public tender “SIC 2013-01”, the Enel Green Power Group was awarded the right to sign multi-year energy supply contracts with a pool of distribution companies operating in Chile’s regulated electricity market, providing up to 4,159 GWh for the entire duration of the contracts.
The energy supply, at a price of 128 US dollars/MWh, will start during December 2013 and terminate in 2024. Such supply will be secured by an already operating plant and, later on, by three new plants, two solar PVs and one wind farm, that will boast a total installed capacity of 161 MW and will be located in Chile’s Central Region Transmission Network (SIC, from its Spanish acronym).
In the geothermal sector, the company is exploring various concessions that have the potential for generating around 100 MW.
Read More.....
The company is exploring various geothermal concessions that have the potential for generating around 100 MW.
The energy supply, at a price of 128 US dollars/MWh, will start during December 2013 and terminate in 2024. Such supply will be secured by an already operating plant and, later on, by three new plants, two solar PVs and one wind farm, that will boast a total installed capacity of 161 MW and will be located in Chile’s Central Region Transmission Network (SIC, from its Spanish acronym).
In the geothermal sector, the company is exploring various concessions that have the potential for generating around 100 MW.
Read More.....
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Global:
GRC 2014 Annual Meeting Announced ‐ Call for Papers Issued
The Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) has issued a call for papers for the world’s largest annual geothermal conference taking place September 28-October 1, 2014, in Portland, Oregon at the Oregon Convention Center. Themed “Geothermal: A Global Solution” the 38th Annual Meeting will reflect the world-wide growth of geothermal energy.
The GRC Annual Meeting is the industry’s largest annual gathering of leading geothermal energy scientists, producers, renewable energy industry stakeholders, regulators, utilities, and key associated business leaders. The four-day event will offer technical, policy, and market conference sessions, educational seminars, tours of local geothermal and renewable energy projects, and numerous networking opportunities. Registration also includes entry to the GEA Geothermal Energy Expo.
38th Geothermal Resources Council Annual Meeting will be held Sept. 28‐Oct. 1 in Portland, Oregon, USA.
Theme is “Geothermal: A Global Solution.”
The GRC Annual Meeting is the industry’s largest annual gathering of leading geothermal energy scientists, producers, renewable energy industry stakeholders, regulators, utilities, and key associated business leaders. The four-day event will offer technical, policy, and market conference sessions, educational seminars, tours of local geothermal and renewable energy projects, and numerous networking opportunities. Registration also includes entry to the GEA Geothermal Energy Expo.
Monday, December 2, 2013
Indonesia:
Sarulla Geothermal Power Plant Construction Set for March (Jakarta Post)
The construction of the Sarulla geothermal power plant in Tapanuli Utara, North Sumatra, which will be the largest in Indonesia, is expected to begin next March after financing has been secured, an executive has said.
Fazil Alfitri, president director of PT Medco Power Indonesia, which has a 37.25 percent participating interest in the consortium — Sarulla Operations Ltd. — that holds a contract of work (CoW) for the geothermal project, said several other infrastructure projects were now on the way to support the plant.
“The EPC [engineering, procurement, construction] for the power plant itself has not been completed. It will likely start in March or May next year. However, we have started the engineering work on roads and bridges,” Fazil said.
“The funding is also in place. We have signed a term sheet agreement. We hope that the financial part can be closed in March,” he added.
The Sarulla geothermal power plant, which is expected to generate three by 110 megawatts (MW) of electricity, was initiated in 1990. However, development was stalled over various issues, including shares and contract ownership.
Read More.....
Fazil Alfitri, president director of PT Medco Power Indonesia, which has a 37.25 percent participating interest in the consortium — Sarulla Operations Ltd. — that holds a contract of work (CoW) for the geothermal project, said several other infrastructure projects were now on the way to support the plant.
“The EPC [engineering, procurement, construction] for the power plant itself has not been completed. It will likely start in March or May next year. However, we have started the engineering work on roads and bridges,” Fazil said.
“The funding is also in place. We have signed a term sheet agreement. We hope that the financial part can be closed in March,” he added.
The Sarulla geothermal power plant, which is expected to generate three by 110 megawatts (MW) of electricity, was initiated in 1990. However, development was stalled over various issues, including shares and contract ownership.
Read More.....
Philippines:
EDC Reactivates 2 Units of Typhoon-Damaged Unified Leyte Geothermal Plant
Energy Development Corp (EDC) has restored partial operations at the Unified Leyte geothermal power complex more than a week after it sustained damage from Typhoon 'Yolanda'.
In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, EDC said a portion of the 125 MWe Upper Mahiao and 51 MWe Leyte Optimization plants are now generating electricity.
"The power plants are currently on reliability runs and have successfully dispatched 57 MWe into the grid," the country's largest geothermal energy producer said.
The two power plants are part of the Unified Leyte facility, which also includes the 232.5 MWe Malitbog and 180 MWe Mahanagdong generating facilities.
Read More.....
Energy Development Corp (EDC) has restored partial operations at the Unified Leyte geothermal power complex more than a week after it sustained damage from Typhoon 'Yolanda'.
In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, EDC said a portion of the 125 MWe Upper Mahiao and 51 MWe Leyte Optimization plants are now generating electricity.
"The power plants are currently on reliability runs and have successfully dispatched 57 MWe into the grid," the country's largest geothermal energy producer said.
The two power plants are part of the Unified Leyte facility, which also includes the 232.5 MWe Malitbog and 180 MWe Mahanagdong generating facilities.
Read More.....
USA, California:
Geothermal to the Rescue for California's Salton Sea (SustainableBusiness.com)
Geothermal is coming to the rescue of California's Salton Sea while also giving a huge boost to the industry with one of its biggest projects.
It starts with a 1.7 GWe geothermal project that will power over a million homes. Besides producing clean energy at this geothermal "hot spot," the money generated will finally provide much of the funding needed to restore critical habitat at Salton Sea.
Under the plan, the Salton Sea would be designated a Renewable Energy Zone where solar and wind projects would be sited along with emerging resources such as algae and solar gradient ponds.
The Salton Sea Restoration and Renewable Energy Initiative believes geothermal development alone could be worth at least $3 billion over 30 years - about a third of what's needed for restoration.
Read More.....
It starts with a 1.7 GWe geothermal project that will power over a million homes. Besides producing clean energy at this geothermal "hot spot," the money generated will finally provide much of the funding needed to restore critical habitat at Salton Sea.
Under the plan, the Salton Sea would be designated a Renewable Energy Zone where solar and wind projects would be sited along with emerging resources such as algae and solar gradient ponds.
The Salton Sea Restoration and Renewable Energy Initiative believes geothermal development alone could be worth at least $3 billion over 30 years - about a third of what's needed for restoration.
Read More.....
Commonwealth of Dominica:
Dominica Moving Into “Development Phase” on Geothermal Project (Caribbean Journal)
The government of Dominica says it has moved into the “development phase” of its geothermal project in the Roseau Valley.
That will enable the fueling of a potential 20 MWe power station, according to the government.
Drilling work has already begun on a “reinjection” well in Trafalgar, which will be complemented by a production well in Laudat, Energy Minister Rayburn Blackmoore said last week.
The plan right now is for the country to have a small production plant by the year 2015, with the hopes of building a larger plant to eventually export energy to neighbouring Martinique and Guadeloupe.
Read More.....
That will enable the fueling of a potential 20 MWe power station, according to the government.
Drilling work has already begun on a “reinjection” well in Trafalgar, which will be complemented by a production well in Laudat, Energy Minister Rayburn Blackmoore said last week.
The plan right now is for the country to have a small production plant by the year 2015, with the hopes of building a larger plant to eventually export energy to neighbouring Martinique and Guadeloupe.
Read More.....
Costa Rica:
Europe Invests $70 Million in Geothermal Energy Projects (The Costa Rica News)
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has given Costa Rica $70 million for the development of the 55 MWe Pailas II geothermal power plant.
The Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE) project manager said in a statement that they were given credit for a term of 25 years with an interest rate of 4.03% per annum.
Last week, ICE and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed another agreement which gives the institute a line of credit for $560 million for the development of the Pailas II, Borinquen I and Borinquen II geothermal projects .
These projects, which together will generate 165 MWe, are located in the foothills of the Rincon de la Vieja volcano in the northwestern province of Guanacaste, about 300 kilometers west of San Jose.
Read More.....
The Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE) project manager said in a statement that they were given credit for a term of 25 years with an interest rate of 4.03% per annum.
Last week, ICE and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed another agreement which gives the institute a line of credit for $560 million for the development of the Pailas II, Borinquen I and Borinquen II geothermal projects .
These projects, which together will generate 165 MWe, are located in the foothills of the Rincon de la Vieja volcano in the northwestern province of Guanacaste, about 300 kilometers west of San Jose.
Read More.....
Philippines:
EDC Files Arbitration Case Vs. Siemens Unit (Manila Standard Today)
Bacman Geothermal Inc., a subsidiary of Energy Development Corp., said Friday it filed an arbitration case against the foreign contractor of the Bacon-Manito geothermal power plants in the Bicol region.
EDC said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it filed the arbitration case before the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce against TurboCare Inc. and its parent company Siemens Inc. for alleged breaches of the contract.
EDC said it tapped TurboCare to conduct repair works on the geothermal power units in November 2010, but those units broke down this year. Bacman Geothermal said the contractor was tapped to undertake the rehabilitation of Bac-Man Units 1 and 2, the 55 MWe Ansaldo-type geothermal steam turbine generators, the Cawayan 20 MWe MHI-type geothermal steam turbine generator as well as the associated auxiliary equipment.
Read More.....
Bacman Geothermal Inc., a subsidiary of Energy Development Corp., said Friday it filed an arbitration case against the foreign contractor of the Bacon-Manito geothermal power plants in the Bicol region.
EDC said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it filed the arbitration case before the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce against TurboCare Inc. and its parent company Siemens Inc. for alleged breaches of the contract.
EDC said it tapped TurboCare to conduct repair works on the geothermal power units in November 2010, but those units broke down this year. Bacman Geothermal said the contractor was tapped to undertake the rehabilitation of Bac-Man Units 1 and 2, the 55 MWe Ansaldo-type geothermal steam turbine generators, the Cawayan 20 MWe MHI-type geothermal steam turbine generator as well as the associated auxiliary equipment.
Read More.....
Technology:
Company Makes CO2 Into Liquid Fuel, with Help from Geothermal (MIT Technology Review)
When a geothermal power plant started spewing hot water into the barren, volcanic landscape of Iceland’s Southern Peninsula in 1976, the locals turned the steaming lake into a health spa that’s now frequented by half a million people a year. Now a small Icelandic company is hoping to turn a profit from waste carbon dioxide from the same plant.
Carbon Recycling International has built an adjacent plant that converts the carbon dioxide into methanol, a fuel and feedstock for making plywood, paints, and other products. It may be the first company anywhere to demonstrate a commercially viable way of making liquid fuel directly from carbon dioxide, something that could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
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| (Courtesy Carbon Recycling International) |
When a geothermal power plant started spewing hot water into the barren, volcanic landscape of Iceland’s Southern Peninsula in 1976, the locals turned the steaming lake into a health spa that’s now frequented by half a million people a year. Now a small Icelandic company is hoping to turn a profit from waste carbon dioxide from the same plant.
Carbon Recycling International has built an adjacent plant that converts the carbon dioxide into methanol, a fuel and feedstock for making plywood, paints, and other products. It may be the first company anywhere to demonstrate a commercially viable way of making liquid fuel directly from carbon dioxide, something that could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Canada, Italy:
Alterra Power in JV to Advance Italian Geothermal Projects (Press Release)
Alterra Power Corp., based in Vancouver in Canada, has announced that it has entered into a Joint Venture with an affiliate of Graziella Green Power, an Italian developer of solar and geothermal assets. The joint venture will further advance the Mensano and Roccastrada geothermal concessions which Alterra was awarded in 2011. Graziella will fund approximately $4.0 million for the joint venture's next development activities, and will own a 55% interest in the joint venture.
Paul Rapp, Alterra's VP of geothermal and wind operations, said "We are pleased to be working with Graziella Green Power, a strong Italian partner with a proven track record of project development. We believe the joint venture is well-positioned to advance these prime geothermal properties to the next stage of development and to take advantage of other project opportunities."
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Paul Rapp, Alterra's VP of geothermal and wind operations, said "We are pleased to be working with Graziella Green Power, a strong Italian partner with a proven track record of project development. We believe the joint venture is well-positioned to advance these prime geothermal properties to the next stage of development and to take advantage of other project opportunities."
Read More.....
New Zealand:
Repairs Needed for Nga Awa Purua Geothermal Power Station Turbine Blades (New Zealand Herald)
MightyRiverPower (MRP) is shutting down its largest geothermal power station, the 140 MWe Nga Awa Purua installation, to perform temporary repairs after finding geothermal fluids have damaged the three-year-old unit.
Commissioned in 2010, Nga Awa Purua is the largest of MRP's five geothermal power stations, representing close to 30 percent of its 469 MWe of rated output from steamfields in the central North Island.
The one to two week outage follows modifications to allow ongoing operation, which has reduced output at the plant to around 95 percent of normal capacity.
Geothermal fluids contain a mixture of caustic chemicals, which can corrode or cause build-up on turbine blades which are directly exposed to them.
Read More.....
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| HP, IP and LP Steam Separators at the Nga Awa Purua Geothermal Power Station, Taupo, New Zealand by Alan Ofsoski, Mighty River Power |
Commissioned in 2010, Nga Awa Purua is the largest of MRP's five geothermal power stations, representing close to 30 percent of its 469 MWe of rated output from steamfields in the central North Island.
The one to two week outage follows modifications to allow ongoing operation, which has reduced output at the plant to around 95 percent of normal capacity.
Geothermal fluids contain a mixture of caustic chemicals, which can corrode or cause build-up on turbine blades which are directly exposed to them.
Read More.....
Kenya:
African Geothermal Receives $6m Grant to Drill Two Reservoir Confirmation Wells in Kenya (Energy Business Review)
The African Union Commission (AUC), through its Department of Infrastructure and Energy, has agreed to provide $6m grant to Africa Geothermal International (Kenya) Limited to help drill two reservoir confirmation wells at the Longonot geothermal prospect in Kenya.
The grant is also likely to improve infrastructure requirements needed for proper project implementation.
AUC, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, the EU-Africa Infrastructure Trust Fund and KfW have formed the Geothermal Risk Mitigation Facility (GRMF) to promote investment in such power generation in Eastern Africa.
The participants have allotted €50m ($62m) for such grants and have also planned to increase the fund.
Read More.....
The grant is also likely to improve infrastructure requirements needed for proper project implementation.
AUC, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, the EU-Africa Infrastructure Trust Fund and KfW have formed the Geothermal Risk Mitigation Facility (GRMF) to promote investment in such power generation in Eastern Africa.
The participants have allotted €50m ($62m) for such grants and have also planned to increase the fund.
Read More.....
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