Chile:

Chile Aims to Cut Costs with New Renewables Measures (Windpower Monthly)

Chilean president Michelle Bachelet

The Chilean government is announcing a number of legislative measures to boost investment in renewables and bring down the country's electricity prices, which are among the highest in the region.

Launching the government's energy agenda on 15 May, president Michelle Bachelet said the aim of the measures is to reduce costs on Chile's main grid from $151/MWh last year to around $106/MWh by 2017, a drop of 30%.

Renewable energy will play a key role in the growth of electricity supplies, the president said. It will account for 45% of new capacity installed between 2014 and 2025 as the country strives to fulfill its target of producing 20% of its electricity from renewable sources by that date.

Read More......

Indonesia:

Pertamina to Add 445 MW in Geothermal Capacity (Jakarta Post)

PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy, subsidiary of state-run oil and gas firm PT Pertamina, says that it has set a target to finish geothermal power plant projects with a total combined capacity of 445 MWe by 2018.

"We are targeting to increase geothermal capacity to 847 MW by the end of 2018," Pertamina Geothermal Energy president director Rony Gunawan said in Jakarta on Monday. Currently, the firm is producing 402 MW of geothermal energy.

He said that among the geothermal plant projects that would be finished over the next four years were the 35 MW Kamojang Unit 5 plant and the 30 MW Karaha Unit 1, both in West Java.

In addition, he said that the company had set a long term target to produce 2,300 MW of energy from geothermal plants by the end of 2025.

USA, California:

Southern California Governments Endorse Geothermal for Salton Sea Restoration (Imperial Valley News)

SCAG endorses IID plan for Salton Sea restoration and renewable energy development

Earlier this month, the General Assembly of the Southern California Association of Governments, a joint powers authority encompassing six counties (Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura), adopted a resolution supporting the Imperial Irrigation District's Salton Sea Restoration and Renewable Energy Initiative.

Designed to jump-start restoration efforts through the use of renewable energy development along the sea's shores, the initiative will take advantage of the Known Geothermal Resource Area located in the southeastern portion of the sea while at the same time help address negative habitat and air quality issues facing the region.

Read More.....

USA, Nevada:

Formal Protest Filed With BLM Against Nevada Fracking Proposal (News Release)

National conservation organization calls for investment in geothermal energy and other clean renewables instead

The Center for Biological Diversity has filed a formal administrative protest on an upcoming oil and gas lease sale in Nevada that, according to the Bureau of Land Management, could open up more than 174,000 acres of public lands to fracking. The sale, slated for July 17, would offer up 102 areas near the towns of Tonopah and Austin in north-central Nevada.

The Center is calling on the BLM to cancel the Nevada lease sales as part of a nationwide shift toward safer energy sources.

“While water is scarce, sunshine is abundant in Nevada,” said Rob Mrowka, a senior scientist with the Center. “We should be ramping up investment in clean and well-planned geothermal, distributed solar and wind facilities here, because our citizens, environment and natural heritage deserve the best.”

The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 775,000 members and on-line activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places.

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Uganda:

Ugandan President Meets with Kenyan Geothermal Company (Government of Uganda)

President Museveni has this afternoon met Directors of Geothermal Drilling Systems International (GDSI) at his country home in Rwakitura.

GDSI, a Kenyan based company was led by Mr. Amos Njogo, one of the directors. Other directors include Mr. Bob N. Michuki and Paul M. Murethi.

Mr. Njogo informed the President that Kenya produces 400MW of power from geothermal energy at a cost of 0.82cts/KW to Kenya Power and Lighting.

President Museveni told the group that Uganda has several sites of Geothermal energy including Anaka, Kibiro, Buranga in Bundibugyo district and Kasenyi.

"Geothermal energy is present everywhere beneath the earth's surface, although the best resources are concentrated in regions of active volcanoes like in the rift valley, " he said.

Kenya:

Chair of Geothermal Development Company Replaced (Kenya Today)

Simon Gicharu

Local media in Kenya is reporting that President Uhuru Kenyatta has removed Simon Gicharu as chairman of Geothermal Development Company (GDC) three months into his controversial tenure, replacing him with Rural Electrification Authority chair Faisal Abbas.

Gicharu was only appointed chair at the beginning of this year.

Read More.....

USA, Nevada:

Ram Power Announces 2014 First Quarter Results (Financial Content)

Ram Power has formed a Mergers and Acquisitions Committee to explore and evaluate a broad range of strategic alternatives for the Company to enhance shareholder value. 

Ram Power, Corp. has announced its operating results for the quarter ended March 31, 2014.

Highlights:

• The San Jacinto-Tizate Power Plant generated 94,959 (net) MWh resulting in revenue of $10.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 (a decrease of 10% over 2013) and EBITDA (as defined below) of $7.5 million in first quarter 2014 compared to revenue of $11.9 million and EBITDA of $7.9 million in first quarter 2013;
• The company commenced the 30-day stabilization period of the resource field for the San Jacinto project on April 18, 2014. Following the conclusion of the 30-day stabilization period expected on May 18th, the company will conduct a 7-day performance test to determine the net operating output of the Project which is expected to conclude on May 25th.
• In April 2014, the company successfully completed the previously announced transaction with U.S. Geothermal Inc. for the sale of the Geysers project for a total of $6.4 million in cash. 

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Philippines:

Another Geothermal Power Plant Planned for Mindanao (news.pia.gov.ph)

Finnish engineering company shows interest in geothermal energy project

Vice mayor Caesar Ian E. Acenas welcomed on May 14 a team from the Lt. Scandinavia Corporation, a Filipino-Finnish company that is exploring possibilities of investing in Cagayan de Oro, capital city of the province of Misamis Oriental in Mindanao.

The team presented a Letter of Intent to the vice mayor to undertake a Geothermal Power Plant project and Clean Water System in the city.

The vice mayor was informed that a Finnish engineering company will take charge of the over-all planning for the proposed power plant. A big power company from Europe is reportedly interested to deliver turbines, pipes and other related equipment needed for the project.

According to the company, geologists have been tasked to do the critical evaluation of the project while western companies will supply the needed power generation and automation equipment.

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China:

Geothermal Energy Generates Economic Benefits for China (English.news.cn)

(Courtesy CIA.gov)

Geothermal energy could be part of the solution to China's emissions and energy problems.

"With the help of home-grown technology, we will use the clean energy more to produce electricity," said Chen Xiaoning, deputy head of the environment department under the Ministry of Land and Resources.

The government also has plans for low-carbon communities, according to Wang Jiyang of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS).

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USA:

US Senate Blocks ‘Tax Extenders’ Bill (reNews)

Bill includes renewal of the production tax credit (PTC) and investment tax credit (ITC) as part of an $80bn package of about 50 tax breaks that lapsed 31 December.

A group of US senators has blocked the bi-partisan tax extenders bill, which includes a two-year renewal of the wind production tax credit (PTC) and investment tax credit (ITC).

The Republican senators complained they were prevented from making amendments and used a procedural vote to kill for now the EXPIRE Act, an $80bn package of about 50 tax breaks that lapsed 31 December 2013.

Colorado Senator Michael Bennet denounced the vote, saying: “Delaying this extension risks the same type of economic damage we experienced that last time the credit was allowed to expire. We are committed to getting this done and will continue to look for every possible avenue to extend the PTC and ITC.”

Oregon Democratic Senator Ron Wyden, who introduced the bill, said he would try to bring it back to the Senate as soon as next week.

The Republican-controlled House of Representatives is also reviewing tax legislation.

USA, Idaho:

U.S. Geothermal's CEO Dennis Gilles on Q1 2014 Results - Earnings Call Transcript (Seeking Alpha)

Thank you for joining today’s call and your continuing interest and support at U.S. Geothermal.

As you will soon hear we have started 2014 with a very strong first quarter with EBITDA rising approximately 20% over the prior year quarter. Our generation, our revenue, EBITDA and net income all exceeded our pre-year projections. Our facilities are now performing excellently with very high availabilities and our growth plans are well underway.

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United Kingdom, Scotland:

Does Scotland Really Have Geothermal Energy? (Pint of Science festival)

Lecture by Dr Alistair McCay, University of Glasgow
Wednesday 21st May, 2014 at 6.30pm
The Curler's Rest, 256-260 Byres Road, Glasgow, G12 8SH

When you think of geothermal energy you may think of exciting volcanic places like Iceland, but in Scotland we also have the potential to harness the heat beneath us. Find out where and how we are exploring for geothermal energy in Scotland and what the future may hold for this low carbon sustainable domestic energy resource.

The Pint of Science festival aims to deliver interesting, fun and relevant cutting-edge science talks in an accessible format to the public - in the pub! We want to provide a platform which allows people to discuss research with the people who carry it out. It is a non-profit organisation run by volunteers and was established by a community of postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers in 2012.

But Tickets (Only £2.20)

Europe:

Geothermal District Heating Could Alleviate Europe’s Energy Security Crisis (GEODH)

Over 25% of the EU population lives in areas directly suitable for Geothermal District Heating (GeoDH). There is a large potential in Central and Eastern Europe, with GeoDH systems in operation in 22 European countries including Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, and Romania, where existing heat networks are well developed.

Geothermal district heating is a valuable and immediate option for the alleviation of Central and Eastern Europe’s dependency on Russian gas.

Geothermal generation has its roots in Europe. In the EU, 180 geothermal district heating systems have a total installed capacity of 1.1 GWth, producing some 4256 GWh of thermal power, (i.e. 366 ktoe in 2012).

Read More.....

USA, California:

Salton Sea Energy Stakeholders Meet to Support Geothermal Bill (Imperial Valley News)

Friday, May 16, 2014 at 11:30 a.m. 
Imperial Irrigation District -- La Quinta office boardroom

This Friday, at 11:30 a.m. please join Assemblymember V. Manuel Pérez, Senator Ben Hueso, and leaders from the Imperial Irrigation District, Salton Sea Authority, Riverside County, the trades, and the geothermal energy industry for a press conference in La Quinta.

The focus of the press conference is SB 1139, a bill authored by both legislators to promote greater reliance on geothermal energy in meeting the state’s renewable energy goals.  The bill, which advances to the Senate Floor next week for a vote, requires the procurement of 500 megawatts of electricity from base load geothermal power plants by 2024.

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Australia:

Petratherm in Rush for $5m (The Australian)

The future of geothermal in Australia will largely rest on the willingness of investors to help ASX-listed Petratherm raise $5 million by July 19.

The money will fund a second well for the $62 million Paralana project in South Australia's Flinders Ranges, which taps naturally fractured shales just above the hot basement rocks.

The equity target will open up a potential further grant of $27.5 million from the Australian Renewables Agency – which was abolished in Tuesday's budget but will see out nearly 200 legacy projects totaling $1 billion – allowing the company to build a demonstration plant.

Read More.....

Australia:

Australian Government Axes Renewable Energy Agency (ABC Online)

The clean energy industry in Australia is voicing dismay over the Government's plan to axe the key funding body for new technologies in renewable energy.

The dismantling of ARENA, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency will save more than a billion dollars. But ARENA says that money would have helped to build a $7.7 billion fleet of projects to develop solar, wave and geothermal technologies.

However, ARENA states that the Budget changes do not affect the 181 projects, worth close to $1 billion, that already have funding agreements in place with ARENA.

Read More......

Chile:

Chile Is Pushing Ahead With A Carbon Tax, Whether The US Likes It Or Not (Mintpress News)

Chile is set to pass South America's first tax on CO2 emissions, but Washington's top diplomat in Santiago says US businesses should have a say. 

The new legislation would:

1. Charge thermal power plants with a capacity of more than 50 megawatts $5 for every ton of carbon dioxide they emit.
2. Charge polluters that emit sulfur oxides (SOx), used in gas processing, coal combustion, ore refining, and chemical manufacturing; atmospheric particulate matter (PM), or aerosols; and NOx (nitrous oxide, basically what’s in car fumes) based on the risk of respiratory illness posed to local communities. Details about how to gauge and collect all this are still in the planning stage and the actual price of these types of pollution remains a mystery, says Ricardo Katz, environmental researcher with the Chilean nonprofit Center for Public Studies.
3. Consumers who purchase new diesel vehicles will also have to pay 2-3 million Chilean pesos (about $3,500-$5,300) extra per automobile.

Read More.....

Technology:

The Red Hot Renewable That Could Incite A Green Power Revolution (ThinkProgress)

A geothermal borehole in Iceland.
Credit: Flickr/Lydur Skulason

Earlier this year, researchers in Iceland found a new way to transform the heat generated by volcanic magma into electricity. The advancement could be especially valuable in Iceland, a country that has capitalized on its unique geology to derive a quarter of its electricity production and around 90 percent of household heating from geothermal energy.

And it’s just the latest innovation in series of geothermal energy breakthroughs dating back a century to the first geothermal power generation in Italy in 1906. As these advancements continue, geothermal energy is clearly becoming a major renewable energy source waiting to be tapped — one that’s literally sitting beneath our feet.

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Philippines:

Mt. Apo Geothermal Power Plant IPPAs Bid Out (BusinessWorld Online Edition)

The Philippines Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) is seeking bidders for the selection and appointment of the independent power producer administrator (IPPA) for the Mt. Apo 1 and Mt. Apo 2 Geothermal Power Plants on the island of Mindanao.

“All interested parties must submit a Letter of Interest (LoI) not later than 5:00 P.M. on 30 May 2014,” the state-run agency yesterday said in a statement.

Prospective bidders must also execute a Confidentiality Agreement and an Undertaking with PSALM, and pay a non-refundable participation fee of P120,000 either in cash, manager’s check or cashier’s check on or before 5:00 p.m. of June 6.

A pre-bid conference for interested parties is scheduled for June 26 at 2:00 p.m. in preparation for the bidding on Sept. 24.

“The Mt. Apo IPPA will manage government’s contracted energies in the Mt. Apo 1 & 2 plants, which are 390 gigawatt-hours (GWh) and 398 GWh per year, respectively,” PSALM President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel R. Ledesma, Jr. said.

PSALM said the Mt. Apo 1 and Mt. Apo 2 geothermal power plants have a rated capacity of 54.24 megawatts each, and are located in Kidapawan City, North Cotabato.

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USA, Idaho:

U.S. Geothermal Inc. Reports First Quarter 2014 Results, Confirms 2014 Guidance (News Release)

U.S. Geothermal Inc. announced today its financial and operating results for the first 3 months ending March 31, 2014, and confirmed guidance for 2014, along with notable achievements for the quarter.

Highlights include:

• Generated fleet wide total 98,884 megawatt-hours in the First Quarter of 2014, as compared to 85,040 megawatt-hours during the same period in 2013
• Delivered First Quarter average availabilities for each plant as follows: Raft River - 99.5%, San Emidio - 99.6%, Neal Hot Springs - 97.7%
• Completed drilling of 9 temperature gradient wells at the El Ceibillo project in Guatemala
• Applied for drilling permits from the US Bureau of Land Management for development of the San Emidio II project
• Finalized the partnership interest at the Neal Hot Springs project with U.S. Geothermal owning 60% and Enbridge having 40% ownership of the partnership

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Indonesia:

Mount Rajabasa Project Receives Exploration Permit (Think GeoEnergy)

PT Supreme Energy has finally received a permit for geothermal exploration in the forest area near Mount Rajabasa in South Lampung.

“With the acquisition of all permits required by law and regulations, and with the support of all parties, we PT Supreme Energy Rajabasa are now ready to begin exploration activities, “said Director Triharyo Indrawan Susilo.

Protests from villagers living on the slopes of Mt. Rajabasa prompted the postponement of drilling for the project, which would eventually lead to construction of a power plant with capacity of 2 x 110 MWe.

Read More.....

USA, California:

Solicitations for Geothermal Energy Programs Geothermal Resource Development Account (California Energy Commission - GRDA)

Geothermal Grant and Loan Program (GRDA) - Program Opportunity Notice - PON-13-507

Date Released: May 14, 2014.
Deadline to Submit Application - July 15, 2014, by 3:00 p.m.
Solicitation Files. (PDF, MS Word, MS Excel files)

Pre-Application Workshop
Thursday, May 29, 2014 - 9:00 a.m.
California Energy Commission
Hearing Room A
1516 Ninth Street
Sacramento, California 95814

Up to $5.8 million is available for grant agreements resulting from this PON. There is no maximum award amount; funding amounts will be based on the amount of funding requested in the project application.

USA, California:

Fitch Affirms Geysers Company Outlook as Stable - "Geothermal Operations are Excellent" (Reuters)

Rates $31.9 million Geothermal Project revenue bonds at 'A+'

The Northern California Power Agency (NCPA) geothermal project is located on federal land in The Geysers, about 70 miles north of San Francisco. Geothermal project operations have been excellent, with availability factors above 95% in the last five years.

A recent upgrade of the turbines for units 1 and 2, financed with a private placement of debt worth approximately $12.4 million, was the last significant capital project expected over the next decade or so. The upgrade is expected to extend the project's life to at least 2037 with output expected to decline at approximately 2.3% annually from about 109 MWe in 2014.

Read More.....

Kenya:

Electricity is Cheaper Due to Geothermal (Kenya Broadcasting Corporation)

The cost of power in Kenya is expected to drop by September this year following the commissioning of an additional 280 MWe of geothermal energy to the national grid.

(Courtesy CIA.gov)

According to energy cabinet secretary Davis Chirchir, this will see the country reduce its reliance on the expensive diesel generated electricity whose use will reduce by up to 50%.

In this line the cabinet secretary has directed Kengen, Kenya power and Ketraco to effectively reduce their cost of production following the coming in of the cheaper geothermal energy in order to reduce the cost of power to consumers.

Energy cabinet secretary Davis Chirchir says this will more than double the amount of electricity currently produced through geothermal and see the cost of electricity drop significantly.

The cabinet secretary also says that this move will also lower the cost of electricity for the economy to 7 US cents per kilowatt hour.

Read More.....

Switzerland:

St Gallen Geothermal Power Project Abandoned (swissinfo)

A plan in eastern Switzerland to supply geothermal electricity from underground heat has been axed. The city of St Gallen said there was not enough hot water to continue a project to build a power station using the renewable energy resource.

Officials on Wednesday said the risks of further, small-scale earthquakes and financial issues had contributed to the decision.

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Greece:

Possible 1,000 MWe Geothermal Energy in Greece (Capital.gr - News Release)

Greece can produce 500 MWe from existing geothermal energy sites and 1,000 MWe from potential geothermal sites, Energy Minister Yiannis Maniatis said in speech in Athens.

Accoridng to  Bloomberg, Maniatis also said that Greece plans to invest EU3b in systems of energy production, energy saving, energy infrastructure, improvement of regulatory framework, “and other actions” from EU funds allocated to the country in the next seven years.

The investment is expected to help create as many as 30,000 new jobs, the minister noted.

Chile, Philippines:

EDC Allots $58 million for Geothermal Projects in Chile (Business Mirror)

Drilling at Mariposa scheduled to begin in late 2015.

Philippines company Energy Development Corp. (EDC) is earmarking $58 million in capital expenditure (Capex) until 2016 to finance its geothermal projects in Chile.

EDC President Richard Tantoco said this year’s capex budget is around $12 million, while in 2015 and 2016 the listed firm is planning to set aside $46 million. “Capex for Chile this year is $12 million for roads, drilling pads and the water-supply system,” said Tantoco. EDC has spent $2.5 million for its international geothermal business in Chile to date.

For the next two years, EDC will allot $46 million to cover the drilling costs of three wells and construction of various facilities.

“These efforts support EDC’s goal of having the Mariposa project become one of the pioneering geothermal plants in Chile,” Tantoco added.

Joint venture partner Alterra and EDC have performed certain road construction and refurbishment activities in preparation for the drilling program scheduled to begin in late 2015.

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Kenya:

Three Companies Selected To Construct 100 MW Menengai Geothermal Plant (Ventures Africa)

Kenya’s Geothermal Development Company (GDC) has selected three companies to construct a 100 MWe geothermal plant in Menengai, Rift Valley in furtherance of its mission to produce 5,000 megawatts of electricity by 2030.

The three companies picked by GDC are; Quantum Power, Ormat Technologies, and local firm Sosian Energy.

According to GDC, the three independent power producers were selected from the 12 bids submitted last September at the close of the tendering process.

The 100 megawatts of electricity expected from the IPPs will be added to the national grid by the end of 2015.

Read More.....

China:

China to Establish National Geothermal Association (Xinhua)

(Courtesy CIA.gov)

China is to establish a national association to promote geothermal resources, according to a forum held in east China's Jiangxi Province on Tuesday.

To ease pressure on energy and resources, and improve the environment, the Ministry of Land and Resources is taking the lead in the association, said Wang Bingchen from the Counselors' Office of the State Council, at the forum in Xinyu City.

With technological breakthroughs in geothermal exploration, power pumps and electricity generation, China's geothermal power industry will be booming again, said Mao Rubai, former chairman of the Environmental Protection and Resources Conservation Committee of the National People's Congress.

Read More.....

USA:

US Senate Revives Renewable Energy Tax Breaks (reNews)

The US senate yesterday voted 96 to 3 to advance a ‘tax extenders’ bill, which includes renewable energy tax credits.

During a procedural vote the legislators agreed to open debate on the bill, which includes renewal of the production tax credit (PTC) and investment tax credit (ITC) as part of an $80bn package of about 50 tax breaks that lapsed 31 December.

The EXPIRE Act extends the provisions for two years through 31 December 2015.

The PTC pays 2.3 cents/kWh during the first 10 years of operation and the ITC is worth up to 30% of the costs of developing and building wind projects.
The Senate will consider the bill again at a later time.

The Republican-controlled House of Representatives is reviewing similar legislation.

Education:

Skills and Technology Transfer In African Geothermal Webinar (GeoPower Africa)

Thu, May 15, 2014 6:00 AM - 7:00 AM PDT

Unlike any other region in the world, the accelerated geothermal development in East Africa has had a vast impact on skills and capacity building for the local population.

The impact is immense and far-reaching and will ultimately benefit foreign investors by creating a competitive local economy and stable supply base.

As part of the GeoPower Africa Week webinar series, we will be taking a critical look at the growth potential of this region, accelerating development and the project evolution of the market.

Join the discussion on 15 May at 2pm GMT, where a panel of experts will look at the critical vectors for building capacity in this region. By joining live, you also have the opportunity to engage directly with the panelists via LIVE Q&A.

To register for the webinar: http://bit.ly/1fa2c2V

To find out more about GeoPower Africa Week: http://bit.ly/1isUkpE 

USA:

Dewhurst Group Showcases its Geothermal Exploration Services




The Dewhurst Group (DG) provides very specific services to exclusively support geothermal exploration and development around the World.

The Dewhurst Group is the result of over 20-years of scientific cooperation between Russian and American scientists. The specialize in geothermal exploration and development. In addition to American geophysicists and engineers from Utility Mapping Services, Inc. (UMS), the principals include members of the Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg Branch of the Institute for Terrestrial Magnetism, Ionosphere, and Radio Wave Propagation (SPbF IZMIRAN), and the Far East Branch of the Institute of Volcanology, and Vega-Geophysics, Ltd. Our geoscientists possess unparalleled expertise with the magnetotelluric method, mathematical inversion and interpretation for geothermal exploration.

The Dewhurst Group will be exhibiting at the GRC Annual Meeting & GEA Geothermal Energy Expo at the Oregon Convention Center, September 28- October 1.

Philippines:

Biliran Geothermal to Start on Geothermal Power Plant in July (BusinessWorld Online)

Biliran Geothermal, Inc. (BGI) hopes to start construction of the 49-megawatt (MW) geothermal power plant by July and commercial operation by 2016, an official of the Energy department said on Saturday.

Mario C. Marasigan, director of the department’s Renewable Energy Management Bureau, said in a telephone interview that BGI is currently in the pre-development stage of the project.

“At the moment, they (BGI) are in drilling operations. After that, they will declare the commerciality of the project,” Mr. Marasigan said when asked for updates.

“They are looking at 2016 for the operations of the plant provided that they can declare commerciality by June,” he added, noting that construction is targeted to start by July.

Read More.....

Hawaii:

Geothermal Debated by Hawaii County Democrats (Big Island Video News)




Hawaii County Democrats debated the removal of a reference to geothermal energy in their party platform during the party convention held on Saturday, May 3rd, illustrating a deep divide in the political organization over the use of the resource on the Big Island.

Ultimately, the delegates voted 58 to 28 in favor of retaining the language. For now – according to the official party platform, at least – Hawaii County Democrats are in favor of using geothermal energy to meet its goals for energy independence.

Read More.....

Spain, United Kingdom:

Tenerife's Geothermal Potential (GeoTenerife)

(VIDEO 41:35 Minutes)

Dr Nemesio Pérez, Coordinator of the Canary Island Volcano Institute, INVOLCAN, analyses Tenerife's geothermal potential. With all that heat stored in the earth's crust, by tapping just 1% of it we could produce enough energy to service the world's needs for 13,500 years... Science fiction? Science fact! What contribution can Tenerife's geothermal potential make to resolving the world's looming energy crisis?

Global:

GRC Annual Meeting & GEA Geothermal Energy Expo - Mutual Sponsorship Opportunities

Your organization has the opportunity for high visibility at the Geothermal Resources Council’s 38th Annual Meeting & GEA Expo scheduled for September 28 – October 1, 2014, at the Oregon Convention Center, Portland, Oregon, USA.

GRC/GEA Mutual Sponsorships including Application & Contract (PDF)

GRC Annual Meeting & GEA Expo - Mutual Sponsorship from Geothermal Resources Council

USA, California:

Geothermal Power Plants of the Salton Sea (Mickey Strider Photography)

One of a series of beautiful photos of geothermal plants taken around the Salton Sea in the Imperial Valley in Southern California. Taken by Mickey Strider Photography.

Canada:

Borealis Testing Wells for Geothermal Potential in BC (therockymountaingoat.com)

Kinbasket Lake
(Courtesy Borealis Geopower)

GRC Members Ashley Derry and Craig Dunn were in Valemount this week with Borealis Geopower, trying to determine the potential costs of drilling to generate power on their geothermal lease. Dunn says they have let two of their leases in the Canoe Reach lapse – the ones further south – because the potential in them is equal to the potential closer to town; and the closer to town the better.

On Monday night, April 28, Dunn and Derry met with about 15 interested locals at the Three Ranges brewery to talk geothermal, and to explain why they are testing residential wells outside of their lease area.

Dunn says they will be testing more wells over the coming months, as well as continuing with other exploratory work. He’s hoping to start a slim hole drilling program this summer.

Read More......

Switzerland:

Vacancy - Project Leader for Underground Research : Zurich, Switzerland

Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zürich, Switzerland

ETH Zurich establishes experiments in new and existing underground facilities to study application-oriented and fundamental science problems of deep GeoEnergy reservoirs.

A PhD in geosciences, mining, engineering or a related field is required, as is a proven record of excellence in conducting innovative research using in-situ underground laboratories and/or equivalent industry experience. The ability and willingness to communicate across disciplines and perform collaborative, interdisciplinary research is a key requirement. English and German are working languages at ETH.

The position is financed for an initial period, 2014 to 2016, and longer-term career perspectives may develop if the program is successful. ETH Zurich is consistently ranked among the top universities in the world and offers a competitive salary, dependent on experience and performance. The city of Zurich rates as one of the most attractive cities worldwide.

For further information about the position, please contact Prof. Dr. Domenico Giardini by email: domenico.giardini@erdw.ethz.ch (no applications) and visit our website www.erdw.ethz.ch.

Applications with a CV, a research statement addressing in-situ experiments, and the names and contacts of three references should be sent online to: ETH Zurich, Ms Maja Bügler, Human Resources, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland. Review of the applications will commence May 31, 2014, and will continue until the position is filled.

Read More.....

USA, Nevada:

Ormat Technologies Reports 2014 First Quarter Results (Press Release)

Record quarterly revenues in the electricity segment, increase 38.8% to $94.8 million 

Highlights include:

• Increased electricity generation by 15.5% year-over-year to 1.2 million MWh, driven primarily by new capacity coming on line at Olkaria III Plants 2 and 3 in Kenya as well as at the Don A. Campbell Plant in Nevada;
• The Sarulla consortium signed a $1.17 billion financing agreements for the development and construction of the 330 MW Sarulla geothe
  rmal project in Indonesia. Closing is anticipated in the 2nd quarter of 2014
• Sold Heber Solar PV project in California for approximately $35.3 million; $7.5 million pre-tax gain will be recorded in the second quarter 2014; and,
• Began CEO transition with Isaac Angel joining Ormat on April 1, 2014 in preparation to succeed retiring CEO Dita Bronicki on July 1, 2014.

Read More.....

Sri Lanka, New Zealand:

Sri Lanka Looks to New Zealand for Geothermal Energy Expertise (Colombo Gazette)

The island nation of Sri Lanka has expressed an interest in using geothermal energy for its power needs.

(Courtesy Colombo Gazette)

The subject arose during a briefing given by Sri Lanakan External Affairs Minister Professor G L Peiris during bilateral discussions with Murray McCully, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Sports, at the Foreign Ministry in Auckland, the External Affairs Ministry said.

G L Peiris has expressed a wish to explore New Zealand’s excellent technology in the production of geothermal energy for power generation. As Sri Lanka seeks to diversify its energy sources and become less dependent on fossil fuels, it was suggested that this could be one option that could lead to a productive partnership with New Zealand.

Read More.....

Canada:

Review of Proposed Dam Accuses Province of Overlooking Geothermal Energy (The Globe & Mail)

British Columbia utility BC Hydro has not made its case that the Site C dam megaproject is needed in order to keep the lights on for future generations, says a federal environmental panel tasked with determining the impacts of the project.

The Joint Review Panel concluded Hydro has not looked closely enough at alternatives to the dam. It does not give a thumbs-up or thumbs-down verdict on whether the project should proceed.

The Panel concludes that a failure to pursue research over the last 30 years into B.C.’s geothermal resources has left BC Hydro without information about a resource that BC Hydro thinks may offer up to 700 megawatts of firm, economic power with low environmental costs.

Report of the Joint Review Panel – Site C Clean Energy Project (PDF)

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Indonesia:

GRC Workshop at Indonesia International Geothermal Convention & Exhibition 2014

June 2-3, Jakarta, Indonesia

New Zealand:

Rotorua Looks Into Geothermal Spa (New Zealand Herald)

(Courtesy New Zealand Herald)

A visiting international spa expert will meet with Rotorua's mayor next week to discuss options for the city's largely uptapped geothermal resource.

Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick's vision for the city to become the South Pacific's premier spa city will move a step closer when she meets with spa expert James White.

Mrs Chadwick and Mr White will discuss Rotorua's untapped potential to substantially develop hot springs and spa complexes and examine options for future development.

Mr White is a specialist hot springs and spa development consultant whose MBA degree thesis was on commercial bathing and spa development concepts.
He is a board member of the Australasian Spa Association and a member of the Global Spa & Wellness Summit Hot Springs Initiative task force.

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Global:

Latest News from the GRC Annual Meeting & GEA Geothermal Energy Expo



Latest News from the GRC Annual Meeting & GEA Geothermal Energy Expo from Geothermal Resources Council

USA:

Tesla's First Gigafactory Site Will Break Ground Next Month (Forbes)

California is back in the running for battery factory that would need geothermal brine by-product lithium as a prime ingredient

Tesla Motors' $5 billion gigafactory project is one of the biggest prizes in the economic development world – and it looks like the company is wasting no time getting started.

Speaking with analysts on Wednesday, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said the company will break ground in June on the first of at least two gigafactory locations, and it may launch the second one shortly afterward.

The process is moving faster than a speeding Tesla. Musk only announced plans for the project at the end of February, meaning the public portion of the plant site (or sites) search will have taken about four months.

He did not say which states have been selected as the first and second sites. But he disclosed California may be back in the running to get a gigafactory site. California did not make Tesla’s original list of four Southwest states — Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and Texas — that the company was considering for the big battery plant, which promises to create 6,500 jobs.

Originally, Tesla officials felt that the difficulties in getting permits for new construction, what manufacturers call a “green field site,” would take too long in California, which is known for strict environmental regulations. However, Musk acknowledged that California Gov. Jerry Brown and state lawmakers are pushing to make it possible for Tesla to select the state for a gigaplant site, and the company has said conversations are underway.

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USA:

U.S. Senators Introduce Bipartisan Geothermal Amendment (News Release)

Amendment would modify the Energy Policy Act of 2005’s definition of renewable energy to include geothermal production.

U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.)

U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), senior member of the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, and Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) and senior member of the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, yesterday introduced an amendment to the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness (ESIC) Act that would revise the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to categorize geothermal and other thermal sources of energy as renewable.

Current federal purchase requirement of renewable energy limit safe, cost-effective energy production by excluding geothermal and other thermal sources. Amendment no. 2989 would encourage further development of America’s domestic energy capabilities by modifying the Energy Policy Act of 2005’s definition of renewable energy to include geothermal production.

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Spain, United Kingdom:

GeoTenerife Hosts Energy Sustainability Conference at Royal Automobile Club (Intercooler)

Dr. Nemesio Pérez gave a talk on the geothermal potential of the island of Tenerife

(Courtesy RAC Club)

Scientific field-trip organisers GeoTenerife (www.geotenerife.com) hosted a conference on sustainable energy on the island of Tenerife at the RAC Club at Pall Mall on Friday 2 May 2014.

The conference was well-attended by UK-based companies specializing in various areas of renewable energy, along with representatives from charities and educational institutes.

Dr. Nemesio Pérez, the director for the environment at ITER (Tenerife Renewable Energy Institute), and Coordinator of the INVOLCAN (Canary Island Volcano Institute), gave a fascinating talk on the geothermal potential of the island, and how they can make use of the Mt. Teide volcano, the third largest in the world.

He told the audience: “If we could only tap less than 1% of the potential energy held in the earth’s crust, we could supply all our energy needs for 13,500 years.”

He explained that although geothermal testing had been done in Tenerife before, with disappointing results, new understanding and techniques meant that he had identified that the areas tested were not in the right place. He outlined his reasoning for identifying what he now thinks are the key places to test, and underscored that Tenerife’s geothermal “really is very good.”

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USA:

Big Questions: US Executives Ponder Current and Future US Renewable Energy Development (Renewable Energy World.com)

Utilities are putting a new focus on increasing the amount of renewable energy generation sources in their portfolio, both to provide the best service to their customers and to comply with regulations on the state and federal level. Renewable power resources have many differences from traditional fossil-based generation sources, though, and technology, as well as associated prices, is still unsettled in multiple areas.

Renewable Energy World’s sister publication, Power Engineering, discussed these issues with several executives in the power industry, including: Mario Finis, global director of hydropower for MWH Global; Michael Goggin, senior electric industry analyst at American Wind Energy Association; Ken Johnson, vice president of communications for Solar Energy Industries Association; and Bobby Hollis, vice president of renewable energy and origination at NV Energy.

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USA, Minnesota:

Geothermal Experts to Speak at ARMA Workshop (Itasca Consulting Group)

Sunday June 1, 2014 from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Commons Hotel, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Please join us as Itasca and the American Rock Mechanics Association (ARMA) present a one-day workshop entitled, “The Role of Geomechanics in Geothermal Reservoirs Engineering” at the 48th US Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium being held in Minneapolis. The objective of this workshop is to increase understanding within the rock mechanics community regarding issues and challenges pertinent to the engineering of geothermal reservoirs.

The workshop is designed to benefit people with backgrounds in aspects of rock mechanics theory and research but not much practical experience in the geothermal field. The workshop will also benefit those from the geothermal community who want to know more about the fundamental challenges of research and engineering, such as geomechanics challenges associated with hydrothermal, sedimentary and enhanced geothermal systems, numerical modeling and microseismicity.

The invited speakers are selected from government, university and other research and industry organizations. The audience will cover a mixed group of university professors, students, researchers and consulting engineers. We encourage you to join us for this one-day workshop to learn, exchange ideas and interact with the geothermal community. There will be interactive panel discussions as well as time reserved for lively question and answer sessions.

More information and agenda (PDF)