United Arab Emirates: Dubai Considering Geothermal Energy

Dubai mulling leap into geothermal and wave technology (Power Engineering)

Dubai is considering the merits of using geothermal and wave energy for power generation.

The city is engaging pre-feasibility studies on these renewable power technologies as it looks to meet its target of producing 75 per cent of its power by clean sources by 2050.

Until now the emirate had focused its renewable intent on solar power until Dubai Electricity & Water Authority undertook studies on the potential implementation of geothermal, tidal wave and ocean current schemes to produce renewable energy.

The authority has asked consultants to submit proposals for the contracts to carry out prefeasibility studies on the projects and consultants have until 17th July to submit bids for the deals.

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Kenya: Green Bonds will Raise Capital for Geothermal Power Projects

Kenya Plans Debut Green Bond to Fund Renewable Energy Projects (Renewable Energy World)

(Courtesy CIA.gov)

Kenya, East Africa’s biggest economy, is in talks with international investors to prepare the sale of the country’s first green bond, Nairobi Securities Exchange Chief Executive Officer Geoffrey Odundo said.

Discussions are focused on drafting the regulations needed to trade the securities on the domestic exchange, which may be sold as early as next year, Odundo said in an interview Friday in the capital, Nairobi. The bourse is also learning from experience in South Africa, where the city of Johannesburg in 2014 became the continent’s first seller of the debt, he said.

“We do expect to see the energy space as the immediate issuers of these instruments,” Odundo said. “Discussions are ongoing with various stakeholders, more so the geothermal sector and international investors, to see how we can match them.”

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Japan: Insurance for Onsen Impact Surveys for Geothermal Plant Operators

Tokio Marine Covers Geothermal Power Firms from Hot Springs Risk (Insurance Journal)

Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co. has begun offering a type of insurance intended to ease the concern of hot springs operators about the impact of new geothermal power stations.

Developers of geothermal power projects can now buy an insurance policy that covers the expense for surveys to determine if their projects are the cause of changes in the quality and volume of hot water, Takeharu Kikuchi, a spokesman for the Tokyo-based company, said by phone, confirming a report in the Nikkei newspaper Tuesday.

Until now, hot spring operators must pay for such surveys if they want to claim a nearby geothermal power station is causing problems, according to Kikuchi. Surveys can usually cost between 5 million yen ($47,000) and 30 million yen.

The expansion of geothermal power in Japan has been slow despite ample resources and even after the country introduced an incentive program for clean energy in 2012.

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East Africa: Development of Geothermal Energy Important for Region

Exploration of geothermal in the East Africa region (ESI Africa)

Explore different approaches to developing geothermal to accelerate the development cycle, mitigate early risk, and lower tariffs.

The role of geothermal energy in the power mix for East Africa is a topic of on-going discussion among government officials, donors, and developers. As a baseload, renewable resource, geothermal is quite attractive for countries with high renewable targets, or that are looking to hedge against volatility in oil and gas markets, or replace unreliable or expensive base load power.

On the other hand, the high upfront costs, limited ability to de-risk the resource without significant capital deployment, and the long development cycle pose significant challenges to the viability of geothermal as a significant source of energy in East Africa where downward pressure on tariffs is in conflict with required returns from developers. As such, the geothermal community in East Africa continues to explore different approaches to developing geothermal to accelerate the development cycle, mitigate early risk, and lower tariffs.

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Philippines: Drilling Starts for 20 MW Mabini Geothermal Power Project

Basic drills geothermal well (The Standard)

The consortium of Basic Energy Corp. and Trans-Asia Oil and Energy Development Corp. has started drilling an exploratory well for a geothermal project in San Teodoro, Mabini, Batangas.

Basic Energy said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the move followed the Energy Department’s approval of the consortium’s notice of intent to drill in geothermal service contract no. 8 in April.

The approval followed the consortium’s awarding of the drilling contract to Diamond Drilling Corporation of the Philippines, a subsidiary of Lepanto Consolidated Mining Co.

“The drilling of the exploratory well is aimed at determining the extent of the resource. Tests will be done immediately after drilling to ascertain temperature and flow rate, as well as other results necessary to plan for future work programs on production holes,” Basic Energy senior vice president Anthony Cuaycong said.

Basic Energy will drill an exploratory hole with a minimum depth of 1,500 meters to determine the temperature and other qualities of the steam resource.

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GRC Annual Meeting & GEA Geothermal Energy Expo: Golf Tourney Registration Now Open

Registration Opens for Annual Charity Golf Tournament at Geothermal Resources Council Annual Meeting (News Release)

Popular networking event for the geothermal energy industry in Sacramento, California. 

The Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) has announced more details of events at the world’s largest annual geothermal conference, held this year in Sacramento, California, USA, October 23-26, 2016.

Just before the start of the GRC Annual Meeting & GEA Geothermal Energy Expo, the GRC Annual Charity Golf Tournament will take place October 23 at the William Land Golf Course just three miles from the conference site. Registration for the tournament is now open.

This year the proceeds from the tournament will go to the GRC Scholarship Fund. 

The William Land Golf Course is Sacramento’s oldest golf treasure. In 1911 William Land left $250,000 “to purchase a public park within a suitable distance of Sacramento to be used as a recreation spot for children and a pleasure ground for the poor.” William Land Park was established on its present site in the 1920’s and the golf course was built in 1924.

More details of the tournament can be found on the GRC website at www.geothermal.org. Download the GRC Annual Charity Golf Tournament Flyer and fill out a registration form which can be mailed or faxed to the GRC office. Online registration will open in the coming months.

Japan: Government Committee will Provide Consultation Services to Geothermal Industry

Advisory Committee for the Development of Geothermal Resources Established (METI)

The Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC), an organization under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), has established an Advisory Committee for the Development of Geothermal Resources, aiming to support regional municipalities in playing increasing roles as coordinators for appropriate management of geothermal resources. 

The committee will provide consultation services, including conveyance of information on technical expertise matters.

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USA, California: Hot Dogs & Burgers at the Calpine Geothermal Visitor Center!

Geysers Geothermal Association - Annual Summer Barbeque

Thursday, June 16 At 11:30 AM, Calpine Geothermal Visitor Center
15500 Central Park Road Middletown, CA 95461

Cost: $30.00 / Members  - or - $35.00/ Non-Members

RSVP early to reserve seating: CGVC@calpine.com

Call: 707-987-4270 for details. www.thegga.org

Climate Change: Global Warming Target May be Overshot Within Two Decades

Carbon dioxide levels in atmosphere forecast to shatter milestone (The Guardian)

Scientists warn that global warming target will be overshot within two decades, as annual concentrations of CO2 set to pass 400 parts per million in 2016

Atmospheric concentrations of CO2 will shatter the symbolic barrier of 400 parts per million (ppm) this year and will not fall below it our in our lifetimes, according to a new Met Office study.

Carbon dioxide measurements at the Mauna Loa observatory in Hawaii are forecast to soar by a record 3.1ppm this year – up from an annual average of 2.1ppm – due in large part to the cyclical El Niño weather event in the Pacific, the paper says.

The surge in CO2 levels will be larger than during the last big El Niño in 1997/98, because manmade emissions have increased by 25% since then, boosting the phenomenon’s strength

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Union of the Comoros: Plans for Initial 10 MW Geothermal Power Plant

Comoros looks to geothermal energy to plug electricity problems (AFP news agency)

The island nation of Comoros is hoping geothermal power from steaming volcanoes could help plug the gap in its energy supply, as power cuts continue hitting the economy.

(Video: 2:11 minutes)

USA, Oregon: Northwest Power and Conservation Council Visits Enhanced Geothermal Systems Site

Visit to Newberry geothermal site (KTVZ)

The Northwest Power and Conservation Council paid a visit Monday to the Newberry Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) site, one of four under consideration for a Department of Energy FORGE laboratory.

Japan: Toshiba Sees Geothermal Opportunities Around the World

Toshiba betting on overseas geothermal projects (Nikkei Asian Review)

Tsutomu Higashizawa, senior
manager of Toshiba's thermal
power global sales department

Toshiba, trying to reshape itself, sees opportunities in overseas geothermal power projects.

Geothermal plants generate power with turbines that are either directly or indirectly driven by underground steam. Toshiba sits atop the global geothermal energy market on an output capacity basis with a 26% share.

Tsutomu Higashizawa, senior manager of Toshiba's thermal power unit  global sales, recently spoke with The Nikkei about the opportunities he sees. 

Q: In which regions are you focusing?

A: You can't find geothermal resources everywhere. In Asia, for example, they lie in Indonesia, the Philippines and Turkey. Africa, the U.S. and the Middle East also have a lot of potential.

Toshiba American Energy Systems Corporation (TAES) will be exhibiting at the GRC Annual Meeting & GEA Geothermal Energy Expo, October 23-26 in Sacramento, California, USA.

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Turkey: 95.2 MW Kızıldere III Geothermal Power Plant Project Wins Best Energy Infrastructure Financing Award

Zorlu Energy wins financing award with geothermal power plant project (Hurriyet Daily News)

Zorlu Energy has won the “Best Energy Infrastructure Financing” award from EMEA Finance, a leading finance magazine for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, for the financing of the Kızıldere III Geothermal Power Plant project.

In a June 14 press release, the company stated that the project, which will be the fourth geothermal power plant investment in Turkey, won the contest assessing the financing for the best sustainable energy projects. 

Construction of the Kızıldere III Geothermal Energy Power Plant started in addition to the existing Kızıldere I and Kızıldere II investments, which are also conducted through Zorlu Doğal Elektrik Üretimi Inc., 100 percent affiliated to Zorlu Energy. 

The project will have 95.2 megawatts (MW) of installed power in total upon completion, with an expected investment cost of $320 million.

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Italy: New Turboden Technology Allows Cogeneration of Electricity and Medium Pressure Steam

Turboden to launch Steam & Power ORC, a new ORC Cogeneration System for manufacturing processes, designed for steam and power production (News Release)

Turboden is launching a new technological solution together with Bono Sistemi, technical partner of the project: Steam & Power (ST&P) ORC system, which allows the production of electricity and a valuable high temperature heat carrier, such as steam, directly exploitable in manufacturing processes.

The innovative principle of Steam & Power ORC is the temperature level of the cycle, allowing the cogeneration of electricity and medium pressure steam with a very high overall energy efficiency.

Effective CHP systems satisfy directly the thermal requirement of the manufacturing process minimizing energy losses. Many manufacturing processes require thermal energy in the form of steam, with different pressure levels depending on the application, such as: Food & Beverage, Chemical & Pharmaceutical, Paper & Wood industry, Textile, Plastic & Rubber, Oil & Gas, Wood pellet.

Turboden will be exhibiting at the GRC Annual Meeting & GEA Geothermal Energy Expo, October 23-26 in Sacramento, California, USA.

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Finance: Geothermal Attracted 3% of Private Energy Investment in 2015

World Bank finds cash moving to renewables (UPI.com)

US$1.3 billion invested in geothermal power

Investments in renewable energy made up more than half of all private investments last year, signaling a low-carbon shift is under way, the World Bank said.

A report from the bank finds global private investments held relatively steady from 2014 to total $111.6 billion last year. Investments in renewable energy, however, were higher in 2015 than during the past five years.

Renewable energy continues to make inroads in the energy mix of many developing countries. Solar energy commitments in particular have seen solid gains. At US$9.4 billion, commitments in solar energy in 2015 were 72 percent higher than the five-year average of US$5.5 billion (2010−2014). 

While solar comprised one-quarter of all energy investments, renewables made up 63 percent of all energy commitments in 2015, exceeding the five-year average of 45 percent and ten-year average of 39 percent. This indicates a move toward wind (US$9.4 billion), hydro (US$2.9 billion), and geothermal (US$1.3 billion) power.

2015 Global PPI Update.......

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USA, Oregon: Altarock wants FORGE at Newberry Volcano

Newberry still in running for geothermal lab (Bend Bulletin)

A group of developers and researchers expects their site near the Newberry Volcano to make the cut into the next round of siting a national geothermal research lab.

“We feel pretty confident,” said David Stowe, a spokesman for Seattle-based AltaRock Energy Inc., a geothermal firm that leases the Newberry land and has conducted testing at the site.

The possibility of Deschutes County landing the Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy has garnered support from federal, state and local elected officials. Proponents expect the facility would generate temporary construction jobs, academic opportunities through area colleges and universities, and an economic boost for local communities that could benefit from visiting researchers and workers.

If Newberry becomes the Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy, AltaRock would have injection and production wells, the underground reservoir, and information on how the site operates — data for investors to build a power plant there.

If Newberry does not become the research site, AltaRock would then determine what to do with its lease, Stowe said.

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Canada: Luncheon Discussion on Geothermal/Oil & Gas Collaboration

Geothermal Energy Exploration and Development 101

Wednesday June 22, 2016 at The Calgary Petroleum Club

Join the Canadian Association of Drilling Engineers (CADE) for a discussion on insights in Western Canadian applications of geothermal geology, drilling & completions, and power generation operations.

The Alberta Oil and Gas Industry has been hit by numerous downturns, most recently from November 2014 up to present. Almost 140,000 jobs have been lost and the oil price is still at or below $50 per barrel. How can we bring back the use of the drilling rigs and use our Alberta oil and gas skills to develop energy?

One answer is to develop the untapped abundant renewable resource we have in British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan – geothermal energy. To develop this resource, we need to utilize the same drilling equipment, technology, and manpower to drill and complete the wells according to the oil and gas drilling standards in Canada. Minimal additional equipment is required.

Presenters:

• Craig Dunn, P.Geo. (Borealis GeoPower)
• Alison Thompson, P.Eng. (Canadian Geothermal Energy Association)
• Alejandro (Alex) Sarmiento, P.Eng. (Aquarius Drilling Consulting Ltd.)
• T.M. Gunderson, M.Sc., P.Eng., CPA (Enerpro Engineering)

More information and registration.......

GRC Annual Meeting & GEA Geothermal Energy Expo

Geothermal Event!

Click here for more information.........

USA, Nevada: Fly Geyser Now Owned by Burning Man Organization

Burning Man Just Purchased Property in Nevada For Year-Round Activities (THUMP)

On Friday, Burning Man, which organizes an annual gathering at Black Rock City—a temporary community erected in the Black Rock Desert in Nevada, announced the purchase of nearby Fly Ranch, a 3,800-acre parcel of land 21 miles north of Gerlach, Nevada. The organization aims to use the property to "amplify and extend the culture born from the Burning Man event into the larger world" by facilitating a year-round community and activities.

According to the organization, the land includes 640 acres of wetlands, hot and cold natural spring-water pools, sagebrush-grasslands, and playa that opens onto the Hualapai Flat valley. Fly Ranch most famously includes the "Fly Geyser," a geothermal geyser that deposits minerals and algae as it shoots water up to five feet in the air.

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Philippines: Optimization Increases EDC Geothermal Capacity by 50 MW

EDC to optimize geothermal power plants by first half of next year (Philippine Information Agency)

Tanganon Geothermal Plant by Cepi Budi Mansyur, Ormoc City, Leyte Island, Philippines

Energy Development Corp. (EDC) will complete the strategic technology optimization of its geothermal power plants by the first half of next year, increasing capacity output by 50 MW.

Richard Tantoco, president and chief operating officer of EDC, said the Tongonan geothermal power plant in Leyte will hike its capacity from 120 MW to 140 MW. Nasulo in Negros Oriental will have a capacity increase by 20 MW to 69.4 MW.

Palinpinon, also located in Negros Oriental capacity will likely increase from 192.5 MW to 202.5 MW.

Tantoco also noted that the BacMan (Bacon-Manito) geothermal power plant has completed its rehabilitation from the damage of super typhoon "Yolanda." The cooling towers were redesigned and re-engineered, which caused the long repair.

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USA: Geothermal Electricity Technology Evaluation Model Updated

GETEM Tool Updtated - Functionality and Accuracy Improved (EERE/GTO)

The Geothermal Technologies Office (GTO) has uploaded an updated version of the Geothermal Electricity Technology Evaluation Model (GETEM) provided by Idaho National Laboratory.

GETEM is an Excel-based tool used to estimate the Levelized Cost of Energy for definable geothermal scenarios. Electrical power generation is the sole geothermal use considered by GETEM and does not provide assessment capabilities for geothermal direct-use or geothermal heat pumps.

The model evaluates either a Hydrothermal or an Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) resource type, and then either a flash-steam or air-cooled binary power plant based on specific resource parameters.

The updated GETEM tool is available for download here.

Philippines: EDC Lauded for Re-forestation Efforts

DENR applauds EDC for reforestation manual (The Manila Times)

A reference manual on reforestation that the country’s largest geothermal energy producer, the Energy Development Corp. (EDC), has created could become a useful tool for the National Greening Program (NGP) and other reforestation projects.

According to Ramon Paje, the secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the manual, titled A Field Manual on Forest Reforestation Using Indigenous Species provides a step-by-step guide to reforestation and forest management practice, serves “as the compass to lead the participants of NGP to efficiently achieve the necessary targets that will eventually culminate as another achievement for DENR and its partners.” 

He also thinks that more people can now learn “new and innovative approaches on planting trees” and lead the National Greening Program (NGP) to success.

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USA, Idaho: U.S. Geothermal Begins Well Remediation at Raft River

U.S. Geothermal Inc. Begins Drilling to Increase Raft River Project Generation (News Release)

Production Increase of 1 to 3 MW expected

Raft River Geothermal Plant, Idaho (Photo by Ian Crawford)

U.S. Geothermal Inc. announced today that it has started drilling a second leg on existing production well RRG-2 at the 13 MW net capacity Raft River project. This second production leg will be drilled out of the existing wellbore starting at approximately 3,500 feet below surface, to a planned final depth of approximately 5,600 feet.

It is expected to intersect the primary production fracture zone between the original leg of Well RRG-2 and production well RRG-1. Once drilling is completed, the well will be tested and a new pump designed for the new production characteristics, will be manufactured and installed. The total project is anticipated to cost $3 million, and the well is expected to be placed back into production during the third quarter of this year.

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Philippines, Mexico: EDC Looking at Geothermal Projects Abroad

EDC studying Mexico project (The Standard)

Filipino company Energy Development Corp. said it is looking at geothermal business opportunities in Mexico.

“In Mexico, we’re not doing anything yet – but we’re studying. Mexico’s energy sector is privatizing, deregulating so we want to take a look, but no concrete plans today yet,” EDC president Ricky Tantoco said.

Tantoco said while low oil prices had pushed the company to put on hold its overseas geothermal projects, EDC was optimistic it would benefit from the push for cleaner technologies.

“But you know what’s happening in Latin America, particularly in Chile, there are recently two large coal-fired power plants that were cancelled by the government. So I think the time is right for geothermal to happen there. Probably in the next one to two years,” he said.

EDC also announced the completion of the geotechnical survey of the Graho Nyabu in Indonesia, where there was an assessed potential of more than 200 MW.

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Global: Nominations Now Open for GRC Geothermal Awards

The GRC Awards – Seeking the Best in Global Geothermal

Nominations are due June 24. The winners will be announced at the GRC Annual Meeting in Sacramento, California, USA.

2015 Joseph W. Aidlin Award winner Gene Suemnicht (left)
with GRC President Paul Brophy

The Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) is pleased to announce the opening of nominations for this year’s GRC Awards. The awards recognize distinguished colleagues in the geothermal community from around the world and have been a highlight of the geothermal calendar since the late 1970’s.

The winners will be honored at the GRC Awards Luncheon, the climax to the GRC Annual Meeting being held in Sacramento, California, USA from October 23 –26. The theme for this year’s meeting is Geothermal Energy, Here and Now: Sustainable, Clean, Flexible.

“The recipients of these awards often have a lifetime of achievement in the academic, scientific and commercial geothermal communities,” said GRC Executive Director Steve Ponder. “These awards are considered among the most prestigious in the geothermal community.”

More information on the GRC Awards, including a nomination form, can be found on the GRC website. The deadline for nominations is June 24, 2016.

Read More......                        Nomination Form......

Kenya: Drilling for Baringo Geothermal Project to Start in January 2017

Geothermal works to commence in Bogoria Silali Block (Standard Digital)

Menengai Geothermal power plant construction will commence in the next three months

Drilling operation for geothermal energy in the Baringo Silali Block will commence in January 2017 - according Eng. Johnson Ole Nchoe, the Managing Director and CEO of the Geothermal Development Company (GDC).

The Baringo Silali Block Project has been funded by KFW of Germany to the tune of Ksh. 8 billion. GDC is expected to drill about 20 wells that will produce up to 200 MW of electricity. The Baringo Silali Block has a potential output of 3000 MW. GDC has already carried out comprehensive scientific exploration. The company has also paved roads in the project area that are critical for drilling operations.

Meanwhile, GDC has announced that power plant construction at the Menengai Geothermal Project, will commence in the next three months to tap and produce 105 MW of electricity. The company has contracted three Independent Power Producers  (IPPs) to build three power plants in the project. This way, Kenya’s efforts towards cheap green electricity will be realized.

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Global: Comments Invited on Draft Geothermal Standards

Draft Specifications for the application of UNFC-2009 to Geothermal Energy Resources (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe)

The public comment is from 6 June until cob Central European Summer Time (CEST) 4 August 2016. 

The Geothermal Working Group is pleased to present for public comment the draft document “Specifications for the Application of the United Nations Framework Classification for Fossil Energy and Mineral Reserves and Resources 2009 (UNFC-2009) to Geothermal Energy Resources”.

The purpose of the document is to enable application of UNFC-2009 incorporating Specifications for its Application (as set out in ECE Energy Series No. 42), to geothermal energy resources.

Growing interest in renewable energy has highlighted a need to harmonize the way in which renewable energy potential is reported. Investors, regulators, governments and consumers need a common comparison framework for both renewable and non-renewable energy resources to assess energy sustainability scenarios at project, company, country, region or world levels. With no globally agreed geothermal standards, guidelines or codes existing prior to the development of these specifications, the inclusion of geothermal energy within UNFC-2009 will improve global communication in the geothermal sector as part of the larger energy sector.

The Geothermal Working Group reports to the Task Force on the Application of UNFC-2009 to Renewable Energy Resources of the UNECE Expert Group on Resource Classification.

• Cover Letter from the Chair of the Working Group and Director, UNECE Sustainable Energy Division
• Draft Specifications for the Application of UNFC-2009 to Geothermal Energy Resources

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Science & Technology: Video on CarbFix Project at Hellisheidi Geothermal Power Plant

Scientists Turn Carbon Dioxide Emissions into Stone (Scientific American)

Turning Carbon Emissions to Stone from Earth Institute on Vimeo.

United Kingdom: Geothermal Heat from Flooded Mines for Homes in a South Wales Valley

How flooded mine shafts could help heat valley homes (WalesOnline)

Heat generated by water which has flooded into old mines could warm almost 1,000 homes in the upper Llynfi Valley in the future.

It is one of two ambitious renewable energy projects being investigated by Bridgend County Borough Council (BCBC), which could cut bills for up to 11,000 homes across the county.

In the upper LlynFfi Valley, the idea is to pump water from the mine workings – which at 10°C to 14°C (50° to 57°F) is a geothermal source of energy – and transport it through a network of pipes to residents’ properties.

There, the heat will be extracted and passed through a heat pump, which will then provide heat for the property using its existing radiator system. 

The mine water would not, at any point, enter the homes of residents.

Feasibility studies have begun into both schemes thanks to a £67,000 grant to BCBC from the Department of Energy and Climate Change.

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Turkey: Zorlu Group Applies to Increase Capacity of Kızıldere III Geothermal Project by 70 MW

Decision to include the Kızıldere VI GEPP Project within the scope of the ongoing Kızıldere III GEPP Project (News Release)

Pursuant to our material event disclosures dated 05.05.2016 and 06.05.2016; based on its evaluations, our 100% owned subsidiary, Zorlu Doğal Elektrik Üretimi AŞ (Zorlu Doğal) has decided to realize the Kızıldere VI Geothermal Power Plant (GEPP) Project within the scope of the Kızıldere III GEPP Project which is currently under construction on the same site. Accordingly, Zorlu Doğal withdrew its pre-license application to Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EMRA) for the Kızıldere VI GEPP Project, which was planned to have an installed capacity of 60 MW.

Since the two projects will be merged under the Kızıldere III GEPP Project, an application has been to EMRA to amend the generation license of the Kızıldere III GEPP Project to increase the installed capacity from 95.2 MW to 165 MW with the addition of a second unit with an installed capacity of 69.8 MW.

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Science & Technology: Radio Program on Turning CO2 to Limestone at Hellisheidi Geothermal Power Plant

Fast Storage of CO2 in Volcanic Rock (BBC)

Atmospheric carbon dioxide injected into volcanic rock as part of a pilot project in Iceland was almost completely mineralized, or converted to carbonate minerals, in less than two years. The results suggest that basaltic rocks may be effective sinks for storing carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere.

Download the broadcast.........

Iceland: CO2 from Hellisheidi Geothermal Power Plant Turned into Rock

CO2 turned into stone in Iceland in climate change breakthrough (The Guardian)

Radical new technique promises a cheaper and more secure method of burying CO2 emissions underground instead of storing it as a gas

Site close to the Hellisheidi geothermal powerplant, where CO2 was injected into volcanic rock. In two years it was almost completely mineralised. Photograph: Juerg Matter/Science

Carbon dioxide has been pumped underground and turned rapidly into stone, demonstrating a radical new way to tackle climate change.

The unique project promises a cheaper and more secure way of burying CO2 from fossil fuel burning underground, where it cannot warm the planet. Such carbon capture and storage (CCS) is thought to be essential to halting global warming, but existing projects store the CO2 as a gas and concerns about costs and potential leakage have halted some plans.

The new research pumped CO2 into the volcanic rock under Iceland and sped up a natural process where the basalts react with the gas to form carbonate minerals, which make up limestone. The researchers were amazed by how fast all the gas turned into a solid – just two years, compared to the hundreds or thousands of years that had been predicted.

“We need to deal with rising carbon emissions and this is the ultimate permanent storage – turn them back to stone,” said Juerg Matter, at the University of Southampton in the UK, who led the research published on Thursday in the journal Science.

"In our pilot project in Iceland, called CarbFix, we take CO2 and wastewater from the same geothermal power plant and inject them together. The CO2 dissolves and, like in a bottle of sparkling water, it stays dissolved as long as it's sealed. It then reacts with calcium and magnesium silicates in rocks to form carbonates.

For CarbFix the electricity comes from geothermal power, so the emissions penalty for injecting dissolved CO2 is on the order of 0.2 percent. With electricity from a coal-fired power plant, the penalty would be much higher, over 10 percent of the volume stored."

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Science & Technology: Method for Removing Geothermal Scale from Wells

Patent Application: Methods And Systems For Removing Geothermal Scale (US Patent and Trademark Office)

Geothermal wells frequently form deposits of geothermal scale that can detrimentally affect subterranean operations. These deposits can be very difficult to remove from a surface. Conventional procedures for addressing geothermal scale often provide inadequate scale removal, in addition to creating a number of other issues.

Methods for removing geothermal scale from a wellbore can comprise: introducing a descaling agent comprising an N-(phosphonoalkyl) iminodiacetic acid or any salt thereof into a wellbore of a geothermal well having geothermal scale present therein; contacting the geothermal scale with the descaling agent; and removing at least a portion of the geothermal scale from the geothermal well using the descaling agent.

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USA, Alaska: Pilgrim Hot Springs Geothermal Waters to be Used in Direct Use Project

Unaatuq Breaks Ground on Pilgrim Hot Springs Development (KNOM)

Mountain view at Pilgrim Hot Springs.
(Photo: Maddie Winchester, KNOM)

Starting this summer, an abandoned hot springs in the heart of western Alaska will go from a deteriorating historical site to an operational community garden. At least that’s the vision of Unaatuq, LLC, a consortium of seven regional organizations that owns the Pilgrim Hot Springs property.

The Alaska Center for Energy and Power (ACEP) works closely with Unaatuq. It helped secure a “Conservation Innovation” grant through the National Resource Conservation Service to help fund the Pilgrim Project. Research Engineer Chris Pike sees a connection between the grant’s energy focus and growing food.

“One of the things that we really want to do is use that geothermal energy that’s at Pilgrim Hot Springs to grow vegetables,” said Pike. “And then food is a way to export energy. We always think of electricity and heat, but food is just as much of a need.”

ACEP has determined that the Pilgrim Hot Springs resource should be capable of sustainably generating 2 MW of electric power, which could be used locally or delivered to Nome or other nearby loads via the construction of a power line.

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USA, California: A New Hope for Lithium from Geothermal Brine Scheme at Salton Sea

Tesla offered $325 million for Salton Sea startup (The Desert Sun)

The letter from Elon Musk left no doubt about his intentions: He wanted Simbol Materials, and he was willing to pay handsomely for it.

Simbol claimed it had developed extraordinary technology for extracting lithium — a key ingredient in the batteries that power Tesla's electric cars — from the mineral-rich brine by the southern shore of the Salton Sea, southeast of Palm Springs, California. Tesla's rock-star co-founder and chief executive was on the hunt for lithium, and Simbol planned to produce huge quantities of the valuable metal. [Simbol Materials' demonstration plant was located next to Energy­Source's 49 MW John L. Featherstone geothermal plant near the Salton Sea.]

Musk's preliminary offer for the startup: $325 million, paid in Tesla stock. For reasons that are still unclear, the deal with Tesla fell apart. For all intents and purposes, Simbol is dead.

A new company, Alger Alternative Energy, has risen from the startup's ashes. Founded by Simbol's former vice president of businesses development, Tracy Sizemore, the firm expects to finalize a purchase of Simbol's assets and technology through a court proceeding this week.

Experts say the Salton Sea's mineral-rich brine is one of the world's best lithium resources. But so far, no company has successfully converted geothermal brine to lithium on a large scale, at the Salton Sea or elsewhere.

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Italy: GE Oil & Gas to Help Build Organic Rankine Cycle Geothermal Plant in Tuscany

GE Oil & Gas to deliver geothermal tech to Italy’s Graziella (SeeNews Renewables)

US company GE Oil & Gas said Wednesday it will supply its ORegen technology to Italian renewable energy company Graziella Green Power SpA (GGP) for a plant in the Tuscan geothermal district.

GE’s ORegen technology generates electricity using steam from below the ground without any dispersal or leakage into the environment, as used geothermal fluids can be reinjected underground. Previously, this technology used to be applied in waste heat recovery in hydrocarbon-based plants.

Once up and running in 2018, the plant is expected to be able to generate approximately 40,000 MWh of electricity per year. Its output is estimated to be enough to power some 14,000 local households.

GGP will execute the current scheme as an experimental project in the Italian Ministry of Economic Development’s first program of investments in the geothermal sector with complete reinjection.

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USA, Hawaii: Progress Made to Meeting 100% Renewable Energy by 2045

Hawaiian Electric files with state regulators to begin new pursuit of utility-scale renewables (Utility Dive)

The Hawaiian Electric Co. (HECO) asked the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (HPUC) to open a docket to approve its issuance of a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) for renewable energy projects on Oahu. This is, HECO said, an early step toward meeting the state’s 100% renewables by 2045 mandate.

The RFP would also be an important step toward meeting targets designated in the five-year renewables action plan defined in HECO’s Power Supply Improvement Plan (PSIP) update filed with the PUC in April, the utility added. The commission is reviewing the PSIP.  Overall, its preferred plan calls for Hawaii’s 2045 electricity generation mix to be composed of 16.1% distributed solar, 10.2% utility-scale solar, 33.4% onshore and offshore wind energy, 26.9% biofuels, 6.5% geothermal energy, 6.5% waste and biomass, and 0.4% hydropower.

The RFP will stipulate the projects must be on Oahu and must be online by the end of 2020. Once the docket is opened, the PUC will appoint an independent observer to oversee the procurement and to collaborate with HECO on the RFP’s technical, operational, and performance requirements. 

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Kenya: Menengai Geothermal Project for Electricity Generation and Direct Uses

GDC to go big on direct uses of geothermal energy (The Standard Digital News)

GDC Managing Director and CEO, Eng. Johnson P. Ole Nchoe admires capsicum from the geothermal heated green house at the Menengai Direct Uses pilot project in Nakuru County.

Geothermal Development Company (GDC) will heavily expand its research and innovation on the direct uses of geothermal energy in support of community and national economic sphere, Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Eng. Johnson P. Ole Nchoe has said.

The MD was speaking at the Menengai Geothermal Project on Wednesday when he took a tour of the facility. “We are forging diverse relationships with development partners such as USAID, African Development Bank and ICEIDA among others to leverage on the abundant geothermal resources in the country,” he said.

Geothermal energy is versatile and prolific. Apart from its uses in the generation of electricity, geothermal has other dozens of uses such as in heating greenhouses, milk pasteurisation, laundry, leisure and recreation, among many other uses. In Menengai, GDC is already running a pilot on four projects for heating fish ponds, heating greenhouses, milk pasteurisation and laundry.

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Iceland: European Investment Bank Funds 90 MWe Þeistareykir Geothermal Power Station

EIB finances geothermal power plant in Iceland (Mbl.is)

Construction at the Þeistareykjavirkjun
power plant. Photo: Mbl.is

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed a EUR 125 million loan agreement with Landsvirkjun, the National Power Company of Iceland, to finance a new geothermal power station and its geothermal wells at Þeistareykir, near Húsavik in north-eastern Iceland.

The financing will be used to support the design, construction and operation of a new 90 MWe geothermal power station and its geothermal wells, operated by the National Power Company of Iceland. The project will be located at Þeistareykir, some 30 km south-east of Húsavik in the northeast of the country, where nine wells with over 50 MWe capacity have already been drilled and tested.

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Germany: Looking for a Site for EGS Laboratory in the Southern Black Forest

Criteria and geological setting for the generic geothermal underground research laboratory, GEOLAB (Geothermal Energy)

High flow rate injection and related hydromechanical interaction are the most important factors in reservoir development of Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS). GeoLaB, a new generic geothermal underground research laboratory (URL), is proposed for controlled high flow rate experiments (CHFE) to address limited comprehension of coupled processes connected to EGS reservoir flow conditions.

As analogue for typical EGS development, CHFE require specific hydromechanical conditions including a connected fracture network in crystalline basement rock, sufficient hydraulic fracture transmissivities, a strike-slip to normal faulting tectonic regime, controllable hydraulic boundary conditions, and hydrothermal alteration fracture fillings that improve conditions for hydromechanical interaction.

Besides favourable geological, hydraulic, and stress conditions, the vicinity to long-term EGS production favours the southern Black Forest as potential region for GeoLaB. Therefore, an exemplary site assessment has been carried out at “Wilhelminenstollen” in the southern Black Forest (Germany).

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Turkey: PLUTO will Help Minimize Upfront Risks of Geothermal Exploration

EBRD presents financing scheme for geothermal projects at Izmir conference (EBRD)

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has presented its innovative financing scheme in support of geothermal energy projects at a three-day IGC Turkey conference which concluded in Izmir today.

The new US$ 125 million PLUTO initiative provides finance and advice to private developers at exploratory stages in a move to tap Turkey’s significant potential for geothermal energy and help the country meet growing demand for electricity.

Geothermal energy projects face high risks, particularly in their initial stages, including high investment costs and development risks and very limited access to project finance once drilling has confirmed the existence of the resource. PLUTO, named after the ruler of the underworld in classical mythology, helps minimize these risks.

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Australia: Baseload Power Generation Gets Short Shrift

Australia could be 100% renewable – with no “baseload” – by 2035 (Renew Economy)

As plans emerge for the development of a massive new “baseload” solar thermal and storage plant to “replace” coal in South Australia, a new report from WWF Australia has questioned the very concept of “baseload”, arguing that this model of power generation is made redundant by a 100% renewable energy grid.

The report, published on Wednesday, argues that Australia could completely and effectively replace the nation’s mostly coal-based “baseload” power generators by harnessing huge volumes of renewable energy – using existing technologies, including battery storage – distributed across the country [there is no mention of geothermal energy in the report].

“The reality is that electricity usage is variable, demand changes throughout the day and night, and Australia doesn’t need baseload power generation,” the report says.

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New Zealand: Drilling Starts at 20 MW Te Ahi O Maui Geothermal Power Project

Te Ahi O Maui drilling is underway (Voxy.co.nz)

Drilling is underway on the first of three wells for the  20 MW Te Ahi O Maui geothermal power project near Kawerau. Following completion of this well, two further wells will be drilled later this year.

Project Manager, Ben Gibson, said that the drilling process will target known sources of geothermal fluid, which could be as hot as 200-300 degrees Celsius. "It’s this high-temperature fluid that will ultimately fuel the geothermal power plant," he advised.

Well pads were constructed on site and the Old Coach Road, near Kawerau, was upgraded in preparation for the drilling rig’s arrival in late April. The drilling rig was commissioned this month following assembly, inspections, and karakia and blessings from local kaumatua.

Mr Gibson advised that the project’s focus for the coming months is ensuring the wells are drilled as safely and efficiently as possible. "We will be able to provide further updates towards the end of 2016, once the three wells are complete."

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Saudi Arabia: 54 GW of Electricity from Renewable Energy Sources by 2040 to Include Geothermal

Saudi targets 54 GW power from renewables (Trade Arabia)

(Courtesy CIA.gov)

Saudi Arabia aims to produce 54 gigawatt (GW) of electricity from renewable energy sources by 2040, a report said.

About 41GW of electricity will be generated from solar energy while geothermal, waste and wind power will provide the remaining 13GW, the Arab News report said, quoting local media, which cited a United Nations report.

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India: Government Aims for 10 GW of Geothermal Energy by 2030

India looks to harness 10 GW geothermal power by 2030 (Livemint)

India proposes to harness 10 GW of geothermal energy by 2030 through active international collaboration with the US, Philippines, Mexico and New Zealand

In its quest to increase its renewable energy portfolio, India proposes to harness 10,000 MW (10 GW) of geothermal energy by 2030 through active international collaboration with countries such as the US, Philippines, Mexico and New Zealand.

The Indian government’s ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE) on 6 June released a, “draft Indian geothermal energy development framework” seeking comments from all stakeholders by 10 June.

The draft policy also stresses on the role and active participation of states. respective state governments will facilitate land acquisition at prices determined and also decide on the royalty to be paid for the utilization of geothermal resources.

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Science & Technology: Using Supercritical CO2 to Boost Geothermal Energy Production

Boosting geothermal yields (eniday)

A new study published in the journal Geothermal Energy used a numerical simulation to study the effect of CO2 sequestration into an aquifer in Louisiana, USA. It found that the introduction of supercritical CO2 into the aquifer, as well as reducing atmospheric levels, might also be able to increase the heat yield produced by the aquifer.

This finding further advocates the dual use of CO2 sequestration together with geothermal production. The Gulf States of the USA have huge quantities of geothermal energy that are still untapped, and accordingly this study could pave the way for the wide-scale development of geothermal power generation in this region.

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USA, California: Balancing the Golden State's Electrical Grid

Who's In Charge? Getting Western States To Agree On Sharing Renewable Energy (NPR)

The control room at CAISO headquarters near Sacramento

In California, there is so much solar energy that grid operators have to switch off solar farms. One solution of dealing with the additional power generated is to share the renewable wealth across state borders – but in the West, it's sparking some not-so-neighborly opposition.

Nancy Traweek's job is to balance California's electrical grid at the California Independent System Operator (CAISO), keeping the lights on for 30 million people. She relies on huge natural gas power plants that put out a steady stream of electricity.

But lately, Traweek's job has gotten harder because of solar and wind power. If clouds come in, solar power drops off.

"That needs to come from somewhere else immediately," she says.

There will be a GRC Fieldtrip to the headquarters of CAISO from the GRC Annual Meeting & GEA Geothermal Energy Expo, October 23-26, Sacramento, California.

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Global: Vote for the New IGA Board

IGA Board Elections 2016-2019

IGA members are invited to vote for up to 30 candidates until 1 July 2016.

The online voting platform for the IGA Board of Directors election is now available on the IGA website.

All IGA members are invited to vote for up to 30 Board candidates with their personal login details until Friday, 1 July 2016. All Board candidates including their statements are displayed online.

The new IGA Board of Directors will commence their work in October 2016 and be active until October 2019. Usually, the IGA Board consists of 30 Board members representing many different countries (see current Board members list).

All GRC Members are automatically members of the IGA and are therefore eligible to vote in the election.

Of the 43 candidates 10 are GRC Members:

• Andy Blair (New Zealand) 
• Paul Brophy (USA) 
• Louis Capuano, Jr (USA) 
• Varun Chandrasekhar (India) 
• Gustavo Cuellar (El Salvador) 
• Paul Moya (Costa Rica) 
• Abadi Poernomo (Indonesia) 
• Andrew Sabin (USA) 
• Toshihiro Uchida (Japan) 
• Shigeto Yamada (Japan) 

Turkey: Strong Regulatory Support by Government Helps Geothermal Energy Advance

Turkey Is Hottest Geothermal Market In World: EBRD (Anadolu Agency)

Natalia Khanjenkova, the EBRD managing
director for Turkey and Central Asia

Turkey is currently hottest geothermal market in the world, says the Managing Director of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

Thanks to private sector investment in the geothermal sector, and with solid support from the government, Turkey is considered the hottest geothermal market in the world, according to Natalia Khanjenkova, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) managing director for Turkey and Central Asia on Monday.

Izmir is host to the International Geothermal Congress, IGC Turkey 2016, which is running from June 6-8. Speaking at the three-day geothermal congress at the SwissOtel Buyuk Efes Izmir, sponsored by Anadolu Agency, Khanjenkova discussed the geothermal sector’s development in Turkey.

“Turkey right now is a country we would say is the hottest geothermal market in the world. Perhaps it is not due to the temperature of the geothermal resources but it is attributed to the vibrancy of the private sector that we see in Turkey. This is combined with very strong regulatory support that has been put in place by the government,” she said.

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Kenya: World Bank Provides Financial and Technical Assistance for Geothermal Energy Development

World Bank to help Kenya harness geothermal resources (China.org)

The World Bank said Tuesday it will help Kenya to harness its vast geothermal resources in order to reduce the reliance on fossil-based fuel.

World Bank Kenya Program Leader on Sustainable Development Sector, Meskerem Brhane, told Xinhua in Nairobi that the bank will provide financial and technical assistance for Kenya.

"Part of the World Bank's 840 million U.S. dollar energy portfolio in Kenya is targeted at the geothermal sector," Brhane said during the World Bank Group's Open Day event.

Geothermal power is a clean source of energy that is available 24 hours a day, said Brhane.

"Our goal is to help Kenya wean off expensive sources of energy so that the cost of electricity is brought down," she said.

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