Kenya: Drilling at Baringo-Silali Geothermal Project reaches 76 Meters

Baringo-Silali Exploration Drilling On Course (Blog)

The ongoing drilling in the Baringo-Silali geothermal block is progressing well after Geothermal Development Company (GDC) set up a rig at the Paka geothermal prospect last month.

According to Mr. Johnstone Maleche, Manager, Drilling Operations, the work is progressing well and the drillers are upbeat with development.

“We are at a depth of over 76 meters and the casing has been done. We cemented last week and the well is promising,” said Mr. Maleche.

Late last month, GDC Managing Director & CEO Eng. Johnson P. Ole Nchoe, led the GDC team in witnessing the spudding of the Kifaru II rig, which has been stationed at the Paka prospect. Eng. Ole Nchoe added that the activity will be a critical game-changer for the region. The Baringo-Silali block cuts through the Bogoria, Baringo, Arus, Korosi, Chepchuk, Paka, and Silali prospects.

Exploration drilling is being conducted in the expansive area estimated to have a potential of around 3,000 MW. Development of the field will be done in three phases, each expected to produce 100 MW.

Read More..........

Canada: Exploration Survey by Drone Carried Out at Lakelse Geothermal ​Project

Global UAV Flies First Drone-Based Geothermal Energy Survey (News Release)

(Courtesy Global UAV Technologies Ltd)

Global UAV Technologies Ltd., a diversified and vertically integrated drone technology company, recently completed a drone-based geothermal energy exploration survey for Borealis GeoPower Inc. The survey is the first of its kind for Global UAV utilizing both geophysical and thermal imaging sensors over an area in northern British Columbia.

Global UAV's wholly owned subsidiary, Pioneer Aerial Surveys Ltd., collaborated with Hummingbird Drones Inc. to collect and analyze high resolution magnetometer and thermal data over the 2200 Ha survey area. The survey was conducted using both day and night flight operations to maximize efficiency and data quality. The combination of UAV-MAG™ and drone-based thermal imagery produced high-resolution deliverables on the geological and geothermal features of the survey area for our client, Borealis GeoPower Inc.

"The collaborative spirit brought by Pioneer Aerial was instrumental in successfully carrying out the work at the (Lakelse Geothermal
​Project) Terrace, BC geothermal project. Near the location of one of the world's largest hot springs, Borealis is currently refining its reservoir model in advance of drilling in 2019. Geothermal power and heat are renewable energies well positioned to support the local and national economy as well as the environment," stated Alison Thompson, CEO of Borealis GeoPower Inc.

Read More.........

USA, California: Presentation on Geothermal Energy: Regulatory Opportunities for an Economically Competitive Resource in a Carbon Neutral Future

Climate Club Dinner - Geothermal Energy: Regulatory Opportunities for an Economically Competitive Resource in a Carbon Neutral Future - Imperial Valley Economic Development Corporation 

Thursday, January 24, 2019, 5:30 - 8:00PM
Old Eucalyptus School House, El Centro, California 

Guest speakers: Professor Tim Duane and 2018 Top Lawyer in Energy John Lormon, Chair of the Energy and Environmental Practice Group at Procopio.

In 2016, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) opened the Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) Proceeding to implement Senate Bill 350. In the IRP, the CPUC is adopting an energy resource plan that would represent the optimal mix of both renewable and conventional generation to meet the state’s ambitious utility sector emission reduction goals, renewable portfolio standards, and minimize pollution in disadvantaged communities by 2030.

Stakeholders from all power generators, including all of the renewable resource industries are participating in the IRP (approximately 200 parties), but the geothermal industry is currently underrepresented in this proceeding. Between 2016 and early 2018, only a handful of parties representing geothermal interests participated in the proceeding, including Imperial County, and more recently, Controlled Thermal Resources, which consistently advocated to include factors that will increase the economic viability and competitiveness of geothermal generation in the Imperial Valley region.

Professor Tim Duane and the Procopio team represented Imperial County in the IRP and achieved several milestones, including the recognition that the CPUC must revise flawed planning assumptions that currently undervalue geothermal generation and make this resource uncompetitive.

Join us for this exclusive dinner program where we will review the important milestones that Imperial County achieved during the first phase of the IRP that are aligned with the interest the geothermal industry. You will hear about the latest developments in the IRP, including a recent ruling that orders modeling adjustments in the next cycle of the IPR (which is set to begin in early 2019) and may lead to modeling results showing how geothermal generation is economically competitive as natural gas plants are retired.

At the end of this dinner program, we expect our guests to have an understanding of the realistic opportunities that exist for the promotion of the geothermal industry in the IRP. This update is being provided at a time when IRP procurement decisions will be made. The industry has a great opportunity to convince the CPUC that the inclusion of more geothermal is necessary to have a balanced portfolio that meet the legislative mandates.

• Dinner and Beverages will be provided at no cost.
• Your RSVP is required.

Republic of Ireland: Open Panel Discussion on the Status of Geothermal in Éire

Geofit Workshop & CPD Event - Geothermal Energy in Ireland & the GEOFIT solution (NUIG)

24 January 2019, 5-7 pm, National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG), Republic of Ireland

As we aim for a cleaner and greener future in Ireland, it has become evident that we must make use of a mix of energy sources to provide reliability and energy efficiency in our day to day lives. The aim of this CPD is to discuss the topic of Geothermal Energy in detail, a largely untapped resource to date. In particular, the talk will discuss the potential of geothermal energy in Ireland.

The talk will be led by Ric Pasquali, the chairperson of the Geothermal Association of Ireland. In addition to this, the CPD will introduce projects and implementation of geothermal sources in a wide range of scenarios – in particular a presentation will be carried out on the Geofit project by Thomas Messervey of R2M Solutions and Gisela Soley of Comsa. NUI Galway are also a key partner to our project.

More Information..........

USA, Nevada: Employment Opportunity as Staff Geophysicist at Ormat

Vacancy - Staff Geophysicist (Ormat)

Loation: Reno, Nevada, USA

This position is responsible for modeling subsurface rock properties using geological, geophysical, and drilling data.

Essential Functions:

• Responsible for preparing maps and presentations of geological and geophysical data. 
• Responsible for combining geological interpretations with geophysical data and models. 
• Responsible for evaluating geothermal exploration projects.
• Interpret 3D and 2D seismic data and correlate wireline logs to seismic data. 
• Interpret and model gravity, magnetic, and electrical data. 
• Maintain and utilize magnetometer to collect ground magnetic surveys
• Work with geologists and reservoir engineers to recommend drilling targets.
• Prepare technical reports under supervision of Project Manager.
• Compile data sets and evaluate data quality using statistical and graphical methods.
• Coordinate contract field crews performing geophysical evaluations.
• Perform structural interpretations and stress-field analysis of prospect areas.
• Research existing literature and prepare summaries for project evaluation.
• Assist in acquisition of geophysical and remote sensing data and integration into mapping and GIS data bases.
• Assist with execution of contract geophysical and drilling projects.
• Assist in planning, reporting and documentation of geologic investigations.
• Must be able to operate a vehicle in a safe manner.

More Information and Apply........

Indonesia: Consultant Needed as Financial Specialist for Dieng and Patuha Geothermal Projects

Indonesia Geothermal Power Generation Project - International Financial Specialist (Bids Info)

Location: Jakarta, Indonesia
Deadline: 29 January, 2019

The consultant will support Asian Development Bank (ADB)’s due diligence efforts in connection with a potential debt financing for expansions of the Dieng and Patuha geothermal projects proposed by Geo Dipa Energi (GDE).

A comprehensive feasibility study (“FS”) to assess the technical aspects and costings of the field expansions at Dieng and Patuha will be carried out by GDE. It is anticipated that GDE will engage a third-party contractor to undertake the FS (“feasibility study contractor- FSC”). The FS is expected to focus on the conceptual model, reservoir simulation, wellfield development planning, drilling and power plant design.  The results of the FS are expected to provide critical input to ADB’s decision making regarding the lending for these projects. ADB intends to engage technical experts to assist GDE implement the FS and follow up activities.

More Information..........

United Kingdom: Director of the Durham Energy Institute Talking About Decarbonising Heat

Energizing the future (Reuters)

Durham University’s Durham Energy Institute (DEI) has taken up the mantle of finding solutions to the world’s energy crises. Supporting and producing cutting-edge research at the university, DEI looks at everything that goes into considering existing and emerging energy challenges: technological, social, political or industrial. 

(Video 8:26 Minutes)

United Kingdom: Durham Energy Institute Promotes Geothermal Energy for Decarbonisation of Power Production, Heat, Transport and Industry

It’s time to talk about heat (DEI)

Durham Energy Institute (DEI) is on a mission to show politicians, industry and the public just how important heat is and how the UK could become a world leader in effectively ‘decarbonising’ heat.

The DEI believes that through innovative re-use of waste heat and using geothermal energy, we could significantly reduce carbon emissions, and rebalance global energy politics. 

To raise awareness of this issue, DEI participated in ‘The Business Debate’ thought-leadership series in Davos, ahead of the World Economic Forum in January 2019.

The DEI has also taken part in the prestigious 2019 Bryan Lovell Meeting of The Geological Society, which this year is focused on decarbonisation of power production, heat, transport and industry.

Read More.........

Geothermal Event - Call For Papers for GRC Annual Meeting

GRC Annual Meeting 2019 - Call for Papers Issued (News Release)

Geothermal Resources Council Annual Meeting will be held Sept. 15-18 in Palm Springs, California, USA.

The Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) has issued a call for papers for the world’s biggest annual geothermal energy conference of the year taking place September 15-18, 2019, at the Palm Springs Convention Center, Palm Springs, California, USA. The 43rd GRC Annual Meeting & Expo will highlight Geothermal: Green Energy for the Long Run - as a clean, dependable renewable energy, geothermal energy offers a long-term solution for the supply of low-carbon emission electricity.

The GRC Annual Meeting is the industry’s largest annual gathering of leading geothermal energy scientists, producers, renewable energy industry stakeholders, regulators, utilities, and key associated business leaders. The four-day event will offer technical, policy, and market conference sessions, educational seminars, tours of local geothermal and renewable energy projects, and numerous networking opportunities.

Science & Technology: Video on Using Geothermal Energy to Capture CO2

Scrubbing Carbon from the Sky (Scientific American)



The first direct air capture and storage plant in the world is powered by geothermal heat in Iceland. Is it enough to reach negative carbon emissions?

Spain: Interview With GRC Member on Receiving GeoTenerife Geothermal Scholarship

Racine Basant, University of the West Indies. GeoTenerife Geothermal Scholar 2018 (GeoTenerife)

GRC Member Racine Basant of the University of West Indies, St Augustine Campus talks about being the GeoTenerife Geothermal Scholar 2018.


(Video 3:23 Minutes)

France, Indonesia: Five-Day Courses in Geothermal Energy Available

Prospecting and Producing of Geothermal Energy (NExT - a Schlumberger Company)

4-8 March, Pau, France - Cost EUR 3,400
22-26 April, Bali, Indonesia - Cost USD 4,500

This five-day course focuses on geothermal methods for analyzing conventional and unconventional geothermal systems, and developing geothermal reservoirs. The course is designed for exploration, production, and development geoscientists.

Lectures show how geothermal analysis can reduce the risk associated with geothermal prospects, how to predict quality from inexpensive wellbore measurements, and ow to identify reservoir heat transfer in conductively and advectively dominated reservoirs.  It provides interpretive guidelines for reservoir thermal signatures of various transient and steady-state heat transfer processes and teaches how to distinguish the overprint of steady-state conductive geotherms by various steady-state and transient processes. Participants learn how to derive thermophysical rock properties from geophysical conventional logs, and how field and lab techniques can be combined to estimate geothermal prospects.

More Information.........

USA, California: San Francisco Community Choice Aggregator Contracts for Geothermal Energy from The Geysers

SF moves toward public power and a ‘local version of a green new deal’ (The San Francisco Examiner )

Agency officials said they have made some investments in renewable energy, including contracts with Geysers Geothermal in Sonoma

San Francisco’s push to transition to a public power system after PG&E announced it will file for bankruptcy is not the only big energy plan in the making.

Supporters of the City’s renewable energy program CleanPowerSF are calling for a “local version of a green new deal” that includes an aggressive build out of local renewable energy projects.

Renewable energy projects and installation of energy efficiencies were long envisioned as part of CleanPowerSF. But the effort has taken longer to materialize than some would hope and now they are worried PG&E’s troubles and the bid for a public power system could cause further delays. Those, plans, however, may come into sharper focus next year.

Agency officials said they have made some investments in renewable energy, including contracts with Geysers Geothermal in Sonoma.

Read More..........

Netherlands: Geothermal District heating Network Near The Hague to Expand

Onderzoek naar mogelijke geothermie in Ypenburg/Nootdorp - Research into possible geothermal energy in Ypenburg / Nootdorp

Hydreco Geomec, Haagse Aardwarmte Leyweg (Hal), AgroEnergy-Eneco, tuinders uit de regio Noukoop-Balijade en de gemeente Pijnacker-Nootdorp (nabij Den Haag) hebben een intentieovereenkomst gesloten om de haalbaarheid van aardwarmtelevering aan het bestaande warmtenet van Ypenburg, glastuinbouwgebied Noukoop-Balijade en de overige gebouwde omgeving in Nootdorp te onderzoeken.

(From Google Translate) Hydreco Geomec, Haagse Aardwarmte Leyweg (Hal), AgroEnergy-Eneco, growers from the region of Noukoop-Balijade and the municipality of Pijnacker-Nootdorp (near The Hague) have signed an agreement of intent to improve the feasibility of geothermal supply to the existing heating network of Ypenburg, greenhouse horticulture area of ​​Noukoop -Balijade and to investigate supplying other urban areas in Nootdorp .

Lees verder...........                   Read More........

Greece: Geothermal District Heating Project in Thrace About to Begin

Alexandroupolis "first" in Geothermal and District heating (Independent Balkan News Agency)

The work of exploiting urban and rural geothermal energy from the Municipality of Alexandroupolis could be a guide to all geothermal and district heating projects in Greece.

The project, a budget of 6.5m euros, is expected to be realised in the municipal unit of Traianoupolis and its implementation is expected to begin in the coming weeks.

Speaking to ERA Orestiada for the project, CES President Vasilis Tsolakidis argued that this is an important project with many benefits to the local community.

"In Alexandroupolis, takes place the first pilot effort to exploit geothermy, mainly through local government. There are other efforts, but here we are talking about the local government that has taken this initiative and has a very large program for its utilization for the production of thermal energy and its distribution through district heating to operators in public buildings and for agricultural crops, mainly for greenhouses", Vasilis Tsolakidis noted.

Read More..........

USA, California: Important Conference for Geothermal Energy Industry at Salton Sea

12th Imperial Valley Renewable Energy Summit (Imperial Valley Economic Development Corporation)

24-26 April, Imperial, California, USA

Imperial Valley is home to more than 2,000 megawatts of geothermal, solar and wind energy developments that have propelled the region into the spotlight as a renewable energy leader. Studies show Imperial Valley has the potential to produce up to 25,000 megawatts of renewable energy. As California pushes for an increased Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) of 33% by 2020 to 50% by 2030, Imperial Valley continues to be positioned to be a major contributor in helping the state achieve its RPS goals.

The Imperial Valley Renewable Energy Summit offers an exciting, comprehensive program of engaging and informative speakers to discuss the issues that are most relevant to the renewable energy industry. In addition, the Summit includes: a business exposition, ample networking opportunities and a banquet.

More Information.........

USA, California: Berkshire Hathaway Energy Licenses the Right to Extract Lithium from its Salton Sea Geothermal Plants

Buffett’s lithium venture promises secure supply for US carmakers (Financial Times)

UPDATE (11 am PST): Berkshire Hathaway Energy has denied the Financial Times report.

Berkshire Hathaway’s geothermal wells could produce up to 90,000 tonnes a year

Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway has made a move into lithium, holding talks over an agreement to allow extraction of the battery mineral from its geothermal wells in California.

The venture hopes to produce up to 90,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate a year from Berkshire’s Salton Sea geothermal plants, worth $1.5bn at current prices, according to a fundraising document.

It has been in discussions to supply Tesla with lithium, a component for batteries to power electric cars, said people familiar with the company.

If successful, the project could offer US carmakers and battery producers a secure supply of the metal, reducing reliance on the handful of large producers in Chile and Australia. The only current US supply comes from the Silver Peak mine in Nevada, run by Albemarle.

Berkshire Hathaway Energy has licensed the right to extract lithium from its 10 geothermal facilities in the Salton Sea to a newly formed company, Salton Sea Industries, which is initially looking to raise $20m in a private placement. The project will eventually cost $2.5bn, the company estimates.

Read More.........

Geothermal Event - Call For Papers for GRC Annual Meeting

GRC Annual Meeting 2019 - Call for Papers Issued (News Release)

Geothermal Resources Council Annual Meeting will be held Sept. 15-18 in Palm Springs, California, USA.

The Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) has issued a call for papers for the world’s biggest annual geothermal energy conference of the year taking place September 15-18, 2019, at the Palm Springs Convention Center, Palm Springs, California, USA. The 43rd GRC Annual Meeting & Expo will highlight Geothermal: Green Energy for the Long Run - as a clean, dependable renewable energy, geothermal energy offers a long-term solution for the supply of low-carbon emission electricity.

The GRC Annual Meeting is the industry’s largest annual gathering of leading geothermal energy scientists, producers, renewable energy industry stakeholders, regulators, utilities, and key associated business leaders. The four-day event will offer technical, policy, and market conference sessions, educational seminars, tours of local geothermal and renewable energy projects, and numerous networking opportunities.

Geothermal Energy News from Around the World

Global Geothermal News - Weekly Update (Geothermal Resources Council)

A round-up of this week's international geothermal energy news.......

Click on the links below to view the whole story and other news on Global Geothermal News.

Ethiopia: Three Day Geothermal Workshop in Addis Ababa

Supporting future geothermal markets (IRENA)

6-8 February 2019, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Under the framework of Global Geothermal Alliance (GGA) (GRC is a Member) – IRENA, the International Geothermal Association (IGA) (GRC is a Member) and the World Bank are co-organizing a series of technical sessions with the Geological Survey of Ethiopia (Under the Ministry of Mines), and other local stakeholders in the geothermal sector in the country. The group seeks to gather information for developing an understanding of the inventory of existing geothermal fields and resource recovery estimates in Ethiopia, and to support the country in classifying these estimates based on Internationally acceptable guidelines of the UNFC.

The group will also look to gather specific data-sets on sub-surface geology (ideally up to 10 kilometres (km) depth showing sedimentary basins - thickness, density, thermal conductivity and permeability) and existing bottom hole temperature logs for Ethiopia – required to model and develop high resolution vertical temperature maps in 1km vertical intervals up to a depth of 10km. The result will be digitalized and integrated into the IRENA’s Global Atlas for Renewable Energy platform to enrich the geothermal component.

Read More........

United Kingdom: Lecture on the Glasgow Geothermal Energy Research Field Site

The Glasgow Geothermal Energy Research Field Site' - Hugh Barron, BGS Scotland (The Mining Institute of Scotland & The Edinburgh Geological Society)

6 February 2019, 7:30pm, Hutton Lecture Theatre, Grant Institute of Geology, Edinburgh, Scotland. 

The British Geological Survey (BGS) and Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) are developing two world-class subsurface energy research test centres in the UK, one of which is in the Clyde Gateway area in the east end of Glasgow. This Glasgow Geothermal Energy Research Field Site is part of a £9M project to study low-temperature geothermal energy from the flooded mine workings below Glasgow.

More Information.........

Europe: Project Seeks to Combine Geothermal Energy Production with Metals Extraction

CHPM2030 releases new project video

CHPM2030 is glad to release its new video. Discover now a detailed overview about the project activities & how the project is developing a novel technology that will combine geothermal energy production with metals extraction from the geothermal fluid in a single interlinked process, the Combined Heat Power and Metals (CHPM) technology:

(Video 6:47 Minutes)

Indonesia: Geothermal Capacity Building Programme - Indonesia-Netherlands to Hold Open Science Day

GEOCAP Open Science Day

6 February 2019, Erasmus Huis Jakarta, Indonesia

After 5 years of project implementation, the Geothermal Capacity Building Programme - Indonesia-Netherlands (GEOCAP)  will hold a final closing symposium in early 2019. One of the event is GEOCAP Open Science Day. In this event GEOCAP will share its scientific achievements with the general public and interested parties on 6 February 2019 at the Erasmus Huis Jakarta on the premises of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Backstopping and sustainability of the network is important for the community of practice that we have built over the last years. Hence we will also share some activities that are continuing that can be joined and we will discuss novel issues we may want to develop under a new program.

Participation to this event is free of charge. Please register your participation here www.itc.nl/geocapopenscienceday before January 30th 2019.

New Zealand: Te Ahi O Maui Geothermal Power Could Reduce Power Bills by More than $300 a Year

A new power product from Flick for region (Gisborne Herald)

Some Gisborne power bills could be about to fall by more than $300 a year, following the commissioning of a new $136m geothermal power plant.
First initiated in 2011, Eastland Group’s 25 MW geothermal power plant, Te Ahi O Maui, became operational in October last year after building started in earnest in 2017.

Now, Eastland Group chief executive Matt Todd said the Kawerau-based power plant’s performance, combined with the group’s ongoing investment in innovative electricity retailer Flick Electric Co, meant Eastland Group and Flick Electric had been able to announce a new electricity product for Tairawhiti: FIXIE by Flick.

Read More........

From the Global Geothermal News archives:

• Friday, September 28, 2018 - New Zealand: 25 MW Te Ahi O Maui Geothermal Power Plant Enters Commissioning Phase
• Monday, September 19, 2016 - New Zealand: Production Well and Two Injection Wells Completed at Te Ahi O Maui Geothermal Project
• Monday, June 20, 2016 - New Zealand: Drilling Starts at 20 MW Te Ahi O Maui Geothermal Power Project
• Thursday, May 19, 2016 - New Zealand: Ormat to Build 20 MW Te Ahi O Maui Geothermal Project

Germany: Geysir Europe GmbH Increases Share in Landau Geothermal Power Plant

Daldrup & Söhne AG: Share in Landau geothermal power plant rises to 75 percent (News Release)

Geysir Europe GmbH, a subsidiary of Daldrup & Söhne AG, has increased its stake in the operating company geox GmbH. Geysir Europe GmbH now holds 100 percent of the shares in the operating company of the power plant in Landau.

By the end of 2017, Geysir Europe had already taken over the 50 percent share in the power plant from Pfalzwerke AG. At group level, Daldrup & Söhne AG now holds 75.01 percent (previously 67.51 percent) of the power plant.

Read More........

From the Global Geothermal News archives:

• Wednesday, June 6, 2018 - Germany: Regular Operations at Landau and Taufkirchen Geothermal Power Stations to Begin Soon
• Wednesday, August 30, 2017 - Germany: Updates on Taufkirchen and Landau Geothermal Power Plants
• Wednesday, December 11, 2013 - Germany: Daldrup & Söhne AG Acquires Majority Stake in Landau Power Plant

Iceland: Abstract Submission Deadline for World Geothermal Congress is 30th January

World Geothermal Congress - Abstract Submission Deadline is 30th January

The World Geothermal Congress (WGC) will be held in Reykjavik, Iceland in April 2020 in the Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre.

WGC is finally coming to Iceland, a country that has shown so clearly to the world how renewable energy can power a modern economy in the 21st century. The Icelandic geothermal community has played a vital role in the technological development of geothermal power for the past decades, not only in power generation but also in district heating and direct use.

Authors are invited to submit abstracts and share their latest findings, research and experience with the global geothermal community.

Submit Abstracts & Papers.......

Republic of Ireland: Open Panel Discussion on the Status of Geothermal in Éire

Geofit Workshop & CPD Event - Geothermal Energy in Ireland & the GEOFIT solution (NUIG)

24 January 2019, 5-7 pm, National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG), Republic of Ireland

As we aim for a cleaner and greener future in Ireland, it has become evident that we must make use of a mix of energy sources to provide reliability and energy efficiency in our day to day lives. The aim of this CPD is to discuss the topic of Geothermal Energy in detail, a largely untapped resource to date. In particular, the talk will discuss the potential of geothermal energy in Ireland.

The talk will be led by Ric Pasquali, the chairperson of the Geothermal Association of Ireland. In addition to this, the CPD will introduce projects and implementation of geothermal sources in a wide range of scenarios – in particular a presentation will be carried out on the Geofit project by Thomas Messervey of R2M Solutions and Gisela Soley of Comsa. NUI Galway are also a key partner to our project.

More Information..........

United Kingdom: First Well at United Downs Deep Geothermal Power Project to be Production Well

United Downs Deep Geothermal Power Project - Update‏ (UDDGP)

 (Image: GEL)

Having reviewed the drilling performance to date, and the geological information from cuttings, we have decided that the first well will now be the production well. This is the more important well of the two as it will provide crucial information about the geology and temperature at our target depth, and it is imperative that we complete it as soon as possible.

We will continue drilling UD-1 at a diameter of 12 ¼” to  a depth of about 4,000m and then run the last of the three casing strings. Then we will finish the hole at a diameter of 8 ½” before running geophysical logs and carrying out a short period of testing. This should be completed by the end of March, after which we will skid the rig and begin drilling UD-2.

Read More.........

From the Global Geothermal News archives:

• Tuesday, January 8, 2019 - United Kingdom: Video Overview of United Downs Deep Geothermal Project
• Tuesday, November 6, 2018 - United Kingdom: Drilling Starts This Week at United Downs Geothermal Power Plant

Republic of Ireland: Postdoctoral Fellowship Available for Offshore Geothermal Energy Research

Post-Doctoral Researcher: offshore geothermal resource management (Earthworks)

Deadline is February 20th 2019

The Centre for the Environment at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland and Providence Resources seek a post-doctoral researcher to contribute to a new project on offshore geothermal resource management.

Offshore geothermal energy has not yet been fully explored and is currently underdeveloped. This project presents a highly innovative and potentially disruptive case study from the Lower Cretaceous Dunquin North carbonate build-up, in the southern Porcupine Basin off the SW coast of Ireland.

The project will showcase the crucial role the geoscience sector has in addressing climate change and managing our natural resources. The project will de-risk exploration of the Dunquin North prospect for geothermal heat /energy production by exploring its viability in terms of (i) offshore geothermal energy potential and (ii) connecting to the nearest high voltage grid in the Shannon Estuary, some 275 km distance from the well site. The project will link geoscience, geological engineering and energy science in order help meet Ireland's decarbonisation targets.

More Information and Apply.........

From the Global Geothermal News archives:

• Monday, December 17, 2018 - Republic of Ireland: Offshore Porcupine Basin Could be a Source of Geothermal Energy

United Kingdom: More Funding for Project to Explore for Lithium from Geothermal Brine

Cornish Lithium: Funding Announcement (News Release)

Cornish Lithium Ltd. is pleased to announce that it has successfully raised a further £1 million from its existing investors. These funds will enable the company to continue its exploration activities in Cornwall and to drill exploratory boreholes to extract samples of lithium bearing brines from key locations: thus testing the deposit model.

Cornish Lithium intends to drill extraction boreholes in the vicinity of historic mining operations, but to avoid historic mine workings themselves and instead to target permeable geological features which host the lithium-enriched brines. These brines are believed to be derived from the interaction of geothermal waters with lithium-enriched granite deep beneath Cornwall.

Jeremy Wrathall, chief executive of Cornish Lithium, has stated that extraction of lithium is very clean and environmentally friendly, while also offering the prospect of generating power through geothermal energy.

Read More........

From Global Geothermal News archives:

• Monday, August 14, 2017 - United Kingdom: Project to Explore for Lithium from Geothermal Brine
• Thursday, January 19, 2017 - United Kingdom: New Lithium - Geothermal Energy Project Proposed in Cornwall

Finance: Global Investment in Geothermal Up 10% at $1.8 billion in 2018

Clean Energy Investment Exceeded $300 Billion Once Again in 2018 (Bloomberg)

Global clean energy investment totaled $332.1 billion in 2018, down 8% on 2017. Last year was the fifth in a row in which investment exceeded the $300 billion mark, according to authoritative figures from research company Bloomberg NEF (BNEF).

Among other renewable energy sectors, investment in biomass and waste-to-energy rose 18% to $6.3 billion, while that in biofuels rallied 47% to $3 billion. Geothermal was up 10% at $1.8 billion, small hydro down 50% at $1.7 billion and marine up 16% at $180 million. Total investment in utility-scale renewable energy projects and small-scale solar systems worldwide was down 13% year-on-year at $256.5 billion, although the gigawatt capacity added increased.

The U.S. was the second-biggest investing country, at $64.2 billion, up 12%. Developers have been rushing to finance wind and solar projects in order to take advantage of tax credit incentives, before these expire early next decade. There has also been a boom, in both the U.S. and Europe, in the construction of projects benefiting from power purchase agreements signed by big corporations such as Facebook and Google.

Read More.........

Finland: Sino-Finnish Geothermal District Heating Pilot Project Announced in China

Four Sino-Finnish energy sector pilot projects announced in China ( Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment of Finland)

Four Sino-Finnish energy sector pilot projects were announced on 14 January 2019 in connection with the state visit to China of President of the Republic Sauli Niinistö. The pilot projects focus on clean energy supply, district heating and cooling solutions, smart and flexible energy solutions and renewable energy solutions.

The pilot projects announced by National Energy Administration, NEA this week include a geothermal project in Zhoukou.

Read More.........

France: Recognition for Meaux Geothermal District Heating Network

Meaux reçoit le label « Écoréseau de chaleur » pour sa géothermie
 - Meaux receives the "Ecoréseau de chaleur" label for its geothermal energy (Le Parisien)

Le réseau de géothermique de Meaux s’étend sur 32 km. Il dessert notamment les quartiers de l’hôpital, Beauval et Dunant. Des équipements publics en bénéficient aussi, comme l’hôpital de Meaux, la piscine Frot ou la prison de Meaux-Chauconin.

Près de 18 000 équivalents logements sont concernés par ce mode de chauffage sur la commune. Ce réseau permet d’éviter chaque année 18 500 t de CO2, soit l’équivalent des émissions de 15 400 véhicules.

(From Google Translate) The Meaux geothermal network extends over 32 km. It serves in particular the neighborhoods of the hospital, Beauval and Dunant. Public facilities also benefit, such as the Meaux hospital, the Frot pool and the Meaux-Chauconin prison.

Nearly 18,000 housing equivalents are involved in this type of heating in the municipality. This network avoids every year 18,500 t of CO2, equivalent to the emissions of 15,400 vehicles.

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United Kingdom: Video of Work on Penzance Open Air Pool Heated by Geothermal Energy

First look inside Penzance's Jubilee Pool during £1.8million revamp

A £1.8-million project to heat part of Penzance's Jubilee Pool is gathering pace with the work due to be finished by July. Cornwall Live was given access to look around the site and see the work to convert the 1930s pool using geothermal energy. Part of the pool will be heated to 35 degrees thanks to a pioneering geothermal well 410 metres below which taps into the hot granite rocks.

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Germany: Nominations Open for International Geothermal Association Board

Nominations For IGA Board Term 2020 – 2023 Now Open

Help shape the global geothermal agenda and join the Board of the International Geothermal Association (IGA). Nominations for Board Term 2020 – 2023 are now open. Get the guidelines, get nominated, and run for election. We want diversity, passion and commitment. If that sounds like you, join us! Deadline 16 April 2019, 0:00 CET.

The IGA is an ´Association of Associations´ and acts as the umbrella organization for 35 affiliates. In total, the IGA currently has around 4,500 members. The majority of our membership is funneled through our affiliated associations (about 4,200) and about 300 are direct individual members, institutional members and corporate members. The Geothermal Resources Council is the largest of these affiliates and has provided 11 of the current IGA Board Members.

BoD Nomination Guideline (pdf, 335 KB)

Kenya: New Power Line Connects Western Kenya to Cheap Geothermal Power from Olkaria

Kenya Power to link western region to geothermal (Standard Media)

Kenya Power will construct an 85-kilometre power line between Narok and Bomet to connect western Kenya to cheap power produced at the Olkaria geothermal fields.

Kenya Power said yesterday the Bomet line would complete a redundancy ring and ensure that western Kenya has access to more stable power. Currently, power utilities rely on costly thermal power plants and imports from Uganda to power the region.

Kenya Power general manager in charge of infrastructure development and network management, David Mwaniki. said there was a lot of cheap power at Olkaria, but the company could not transmit it to western Kenya due to lack of infrastructure.

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Bolivia: First Funds Provided for the 5 MW Pilot Plant at the 100 MW Laguna Colorada Geothermal Project

Bolivia disburses geothermal power project funds (BN Americas)

Laguna Colorada geothermal facility (Courtesy ENDE)

Efforts to tap Bolivia's geothermal power potential have received a boost with the disbursement of the first funds for the 5 MW pilot plant at the 100 MW Laguna Colorada project. The Central Bank of Bolivia (BCB) has transferred 41.9mn bolivianos (US$6mn) to National Electricity Company (ENDE) for the US$28mn pilot plant.

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From the Global Geothermal News archives:

• Monday, September 24, 2018 - Bolivia: IDB Loan Could Boost Geothermal Energy Development
• Thursday, May 4, 2017 - Bolivia: 50 MW Laguna Colorada Geothermal Plant Closer to Receive Funding
• Monday, March 27, 2017 - Bolivia: JICA Loans to Fund Construction of 100 MW Laguna Colorada Geothermal Power Plant
• Thursday, April 28, 2016 - Bolivia: Central Banks Funds Construction of 5 MW Laguna Colorada Geothermal Pilot Plant

Philippines: Kalinga Geothermal Power Project Confirmed as "Energy Project of National Significance”

DOE receives 331 applications for projects of national significance (Business Mirror)

The Philippines Department of Energy (DOE) has received 331 applications from industry stakeholders seeking the certification of their power projects as “energy projects of national significance [EPNS].”

As of January 11, the DOE said in its website that 293 applications were accepted while 38, or 11 percent, were notified of their noncompliance as to form or documentary requirements.

To date, the DOE has awarded certificates of EPNS to 12 power projects including to the Kalinga geothermal-power project of Aragorn Power and Energy Corp. (APEC).

The Executive Order states that the CEPNS is not an assurance or an automatic guarantee of favorable action by the permitting agencies, but a requirement from them to immediately act on the applications for permits/licenses within the prescribed periods under prevailing laws.

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From the Global Geothermal News archives:

• Monday, January 14, 2019 - Philippines: Grid Impact Study Approved for 120 MW Kalinga Geothermal Power Project
• Monday, October 15, 2018 - Philippines: Drilling at 100 MW Kalinga Geothermal Project to Start in 2019
• Monday, August 20, 2018 - Philippines: Kalinga Geothermal Prospect "an Energy Project of National Significance"
• Monday, September 22, 2014 - Philippines: APC Group Set to Drill Two Wells in Kalinga Geothermal Prospect
• Wednesday, June 19, 2013 - Philippines: APC to Invest $300m in Geothermal Project in Kalinga Province

USA, Nevada: New Report Documents Significant Benefits of Geothermal Energy Development in Rural Nevada

Nevada's Rural Renewables Generate $7.9 Billion in Economic Impact (Digital Journal)

The report shows a model geothermal project would result in a better economic output than a model potential solar project .

The Western Way, in partnership with the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce, released “The Economic Benefits of Nevada Rural Renewable Energy Facilities.” The economic impact study, conducted by Development Research Partners, found that 29 rural renewable projects constructed in Nevada from 2006 to 2017 resulted in significant economic benefits to rural Nevada.

The study also tested the economic and fiscal benefits of adding new geothermal and solar facilities in Nevada. The model test case was a new 75 MW-geothermal facility in Lyon County and a 100 MW-solar PV facility in Nye County. The report showed the model geothermal project would result in a total economic output of $14.9 million for construction and $8.9 direct and indirect benefits annually. The potential solar project would yield $2.5 million in total economic output and annual operations would generate $1.9 million.

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Philippines: Aboitiz Plans to Supply Geothermal Power to Iron & Steel Mill in Misamis Oriental Province

Aboitiz Power eyes deal with major steel mill (Manila Standard)

Aboitiz Power Corp. plans to supply electricity to the planned $4.4-billion integrated iron and steel project of HBIS Group Co. Ltd. of China, Huili Investment Fund Management Co. Ltd. and Steel Asia Manufacturing Corp. in Misamis Oriental province.

“These things build cities…An integrated steel mill that have economies of scale would be consuming anywhere from 300 megawatts to 600 MW. It’s a game changer if that’s real,” Aboitiz Power chief operating officer Manny Rubio said.

Rubio said the company also continued to look at overseas expansion.

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USA, California: Possible PG&E Bankruptcy Could Affect Debt Financing for The Geysers

PG&E May Give Bankruptcy Notices to Staff on Monday (Bloomberg)

Some banks are taking a long look at a potential $2 billion debt financing for the Geysers, the world’s largest geothermal complex, because it supplies the utility, people familiar with the matter also said this week.

Sulphur Springs Geothermal Power Plant 2016
at The Geysers (Taken by Ian Crawford)

PG&E Corp., the California utility giant facing billions of dollars in wildfire liabilities, may notify employees as soon as Monday that it’s preparing a potential bankruptcy filing, according to people familiar with the situation.

A notice may signal that the company has accelerated plans to make a Chapter 11 filing as way of dealing with crippling liabilities from wildfires that tore through California in 2017 and 2018, killing over 100 people and destroying hundreds of thousands of acres. Investigators are probing whether PG&E’s equipment ignited the deadliest of the blazes. The company is facing as much as $30 billion in damages -- a prospect that has wiped out two-thirds of PG&E’s market value, sent its bonds plummeting to record lows and prompted rating companies to downgrade PG&E’s debt to junk.

PG&E’s deepening financial crisis has already spread to the companies that supply its natural gas and generate electricity for its customers. At least two small gas suppliers have restricted sales to PG&E out of concern that the company won’t be able to pay, people with direct knowledge of the situation said earlier this week. Some banks are taking a long look at a potential $2 billion debt financing for The Geysers, the world’s largest geothermal complex, because it supplies the utility, people familiar with the matter also said this week.

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Education: Learn More About the Geothermal Design Challenge

Webinar - Geothermal Design Challenge™ Data Analytics (Utah FORGE)

Friday, January 25, 2019,
11 a.m.-12 p.m.(Mountain Time)

Join Utah FORGE for a live webinar discussion on data analytics – cleaning data, inferring insights and visualization.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced a competition for students interested in geothermal energy.

The DOE will award USD 11,000 in cash prizes to teams of currently enrolled students in high school, undergrad or graduate school. The Geothermal Design Challenge asks students to research datasets, interpret information and create a data visualization portfolio that tells a compelling story about the search for clean, renewable geothermal energy.

The top 3 winning teams will be awarded as follows: USD 5,000 for 1st place team / USD 3,500 for 2nd place team / USD 2,500 for 3rd place team.

Register for the Webinar.........

United Kingdom: First Large-Scale Geothermal Mine-Water Energy Scheme in the UK

The Welsh county that's at the forefront of renewable energy projects (WalesOnline)

Bridgend county is leading the way with renewable energy projects as one of just three places, alongside Manchester and Newcastle, in the UK to test pioneering schemes which could then potentially be rolled out across the country.

One of those is the first ever large-scale mine-water energy scheme to be created in the UK with another being an underground heat network in Bridgend town for homes, schools, hospitals and businesses.

The Caerau mine-water project

Could coal miners ever have imagined the black pits they spent their days in would one day contain the hope of cheap, clean energy?

Construction work on the Caerau mine-water project near Maesteg is due to begin in 2020 with the first homes being connected to the system in winter 2021.

It comes after test drilling into the mine workings under the Old Brewers site in Caerau found that the mining void was full of water to a depth of 230m – and had a temperature of 20 degrees celsius.

The project is based on technology being used in Heerlen, a city in the Netherlands, and is made possible due to the naturally-heated water from the old coal mine.

Using heat pump technology and a network of pipes, the project will begin by heating around 150 nearby homes, the local school and church.

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Germany: Geothermal District Heating Takes Off - Especially in Munich

Geothermal Energy: “Heat Turnaround” (Germany Trade & Invest)

(Courtesy CIA.gov)

They are calling it the “heat turnaround” in specialist circles, in a nod to Germany’s larger “energy turnaround.” Although we tend to hear more about solar and wind power, the real “hot stuff” might be right beneath our feet.

In 2017, there were 23,000 newly constructed facilities in Germany for geothermal energy, which taps heat below the earth’s surface and transports it up to heat our houses and water – which still accounts for almost 85 percent of private energy consumption.

Near-surface geothermal energy is now available in 370,000 buildings, and more heat pumps than gas heaters were installed in new residential buildings in Germany in 2017 for the first time ever, according to the country’s BWP heat pump association.

The so-called “mecca” of this heat turnaround can be found in Munich. Within seven years, the capital of Bavaria aims to become the world’s first city with over a million inhabitants to draw 100 percent of its electricity from renewable sources. As part of its ambitious district heating vision, the city’s utility company SWM is installing a dense network of pipes carrying steam and hot water and connecting them to tens of thousands of households. By 2040, it hopes to have completely phased out power plants that burn waste, gas and coal and to rest primarily on geothermal energy.

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USA, Idaho: Power Engineers Wins Engineering Excellence Award for Kizildere-3 Geothermal Power Plant

Idaho-designed geothermal plant (company) wins engineering award (Magicvalley.com)

(Courtesy POWER Engineers Inc.)

The American Council of Engineering Companies of Idaho recently awarded POWER Engineers Inc. a first-place Engineering Excellence Award for its Kizildere-3 Geothermal Power Plant.

The power plant is owned and operated by Zorlu Energy, a major Turkish contractor, investor and industrial holding company. Kizildere-3, Turkey’s largest geothermal power plant, is one of the world’s only triple-flash plus combined-cycle configuration geothermal plants — an arrangement that combines two well-known types of technology to increase efficiency. With the addition of this 165 MW geothermal plant to Turkey’s generation fleet, the country can further reduce its dependence on imported fossil fuels.

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USA, California: Presentation on Geothermal Energy: Regulatory Opportunities for an Economically Competitive Resource in a Carbon Neutral Future

Climate Club Dinner - Geothermal Energy: Regulatory Opportunities for an Economically Competitive Resource in a Carbon Neutral Future - Imperial Valley Economic Development Corporation 

Thursday, January 24, 2019, 5:30 - 8:00PM
Old Eucalyptus School House, El Centro, California 

Guest speakers: Professor Tim Duane and 2018 Top Lawyer in Energy John Lormon, Chair of the Energy and Environmental Practice Group at Procopio.

In 2016, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) opened the Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) Proceeding to implement Senate Bill 350. In the IRP, the CPUC is adopting an energy resource plan that would represent the optimal mix of both renewable and conventional generation to meet the state’s ambitious utility sector emission reduction goals, renewable portfolio standards, and minimize pollution in disadvantaged communities by 2030.

Stakeholders from all power generators, including all of the renewable resource industries are participating in the IRP (approximately 200 parties), but the geothermal industry is currently underrepresented in this proceeding. Between 2016 and early 2018, only a handful of parties representing geothermal interests participated in the proceeding, including Imperial County, and more recently, Controlled Thermal Resources, which consistently advocated to include factors that will increase the economic viability and competitiveness of geothermal generation in the Imperial Valley region.

Professor Tim Duane and the Procopio team represented Imperial County in the IRP and achieved several milestones, including the recognition that the CPUC must revise flawed planning assumptions that currently undervalue geothermal generation and make this resource uncompetitive.

Join us for this exclusive dinner program where we will review the important milestones that Imperial County achieved during the first phase of the IRP that are aligned with the interest the geothermal industry. You will hear about the latest developments in the IRP, including a recent ruling that orders modeling adjustments in the next cycle of the IPR (which is set to begin in early 2019) and may lead to modeling results showing how geothermal generation is economically competitive as natural gas plants are retired.

At the end of this dinner program, we expect our guests to have an understanding of the realistic opportunities that exist for the promotion of the geothermal industry in the IRP. This update is being provided at a time when IRP procurement decisions will be made. The industry has a great opportunity to convince the CPUC that the inclusion of more geothermal is necessary to have a balanced portfolio that meet the legislative mandates.

• Dinner and Beverages will be provided at no cost.
• Your RSVP is required.

USA, California: Meeting of the Geothermal Resources Council Southern California Section is Today

SoCal GRC Section Meeting

3:30pm, 15 January 2019, Strike Zone IV,
950 N Imperial Ave, El Centro, CA 92243

Agenda:

1. Welcome & Introductions
   a. The year of action!
2. 2018 Hawaiian Volcanic Eruption & Geothermal
   Lava Overruns the Puna Geothermal Venture
   Presented by Charlene Wardlow, Geothermal Program Manager and District Deputy for the Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources. Ms. Wardlow participated in the joint task force and was onsite while lava overran a portion of the wellfield and facility.
3. GRC Policy Committee presentation
   The GRC Policy Committee advocates for public policies that will promote the development and utilization of geothermal resources and provides a forum for the industry to discuss issues and problems.
   a. Presenters - Will Pettitt, Executive Director of the GRC & Jonathan Weisgall, VP of Government Relations for BHE
   b. Committee’s function and vision
   c. 2019 strategy and goals
   d. Discussion of support and collaboration
   e. California Chamber of Commerce Advocate membership ($15-25k)
   
   2018 Committee Focus
   – Federal Issues: Federal Tax Incentive Extenders Resist 70% Federal EERE Budget Cut from Existing $2.2B, Maintain Federal Geothermal Payments to Counties
   – California Issues: Track Evolving California Market and Potential Geothermal Opportunities, Participate in CPUC Diablo Canyon Hearing, Participate in CPUC Integrated Resource Plan
   – General Industry Issues: Public/Private Geothermal Discovery Risk Reduction, Non-Conventional Geothermal
4. Lithium Extraction Research in Geothermal
   a. Jonathan Weisgall presenting
5. 2019 GRC Annual Meeting in Palm Springs (September 15-18, 2019)
   a. Status Update
   b. Field Trips
6. Public Outreach Committee
   a. Request for volunteers to create the committee
   b. Tom Baker and Armando to lead description of outreach committee ideas
7. Call for Project Updates
   a. Open Forum
8. Meeting Conclusion and Public Outreach Committee Breakout Session