Saturday, November 16, 2019

Global: Opportunity to Advertise in the Geothermal Energy Magazine

Advertise In The GRC Bulletin

The GRC Bulletin reaches nearly 1,200 geothermal professionals six times per year.

Advertising in the GRC Bulletin means your product or service will be seen in the world's only publication that deals exclusively with technical topics, legislation, scientific inquiry, special events and educational topics related to the geothermal energy industry.

For GRC members the rates start at just $125 an issue for a business card-sized advertisement. For a half page ad the rate is just $400 each issue. For a full page the cost is just $625 each issue.

In addition, when the Bulletin is published an email announcement is sent to the global geothermal energy community. A banner advertisement is available on this email that will be seen by over 4,500 recipients. The rate for GRC members for this tremendous opportunity is just $500 per issue.

The GRC services the global geothermal energy community with news and information. Advertising through the Bulletin is a sure-fire way of getting your company (institution, event) in front of thousands of pairs of eyes!

Interested in getting noticed! Of course you are!
Contact Chi-Meng at cmoua@geothermal.org or 530.758.2360 ext 105.

Advertising Rate Sheet.............

Friday, November 15, 2019

USA, Washington: GRC Executive Director Gives Briefing on Geothermal Energy in DC

The Growing Role of Renewable Energy in the U.S. Energy Mix (EESI)

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) and the Clean Energy and Technology Staff Association (CETSA) held a briefing on the state of play for renewable energy and energy storage technology in the United States. Renewable energy technologies now account for a substantial portion of the U.S. energy portfolio. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, renewable energy generated 17 percent of total energy in 2018, and projections indicate this percentage will continue to grow.

Will Pettitt, Executive Director, Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) gave a briefing on the potential for geothermal energy in the renewable energy mix. He gave his presentation from hour 19:28 to 35:08 of the recording.

Download his slide presentation........


 (Video 1:59:42 hours)

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.

Turkey: European Geothermal PhD Day Conference in Denizli

European Geothermal PhD Days (EGPD 2020)

24-26 February, 2020 
Pamukkale University, Denizli, Western Turkey

The Turkish geothermal energy market has seen an incredible growth in the last 10 years. The market continues to be one of the hottest geothermal markets in the world with its 1498 MWe installed capacity. During the organization, Turkey, a member of 1 GW Country Club, as host country will be our address to observe the reflections of industrial growth on academic studies, as well.

This year, we offer a unique chance to the participants to see the UNESCO World Heritage Site ‘Hierapolis-Pamukkale’ and an engineering excellence-awarded-geothermal power plant owned by Zorlu Energy.

EGPD is an organization which has proven its importance in a decade following its establishment. The three-day event traditionally starts with the oral presentations of key-note speakers, introductions of each participant with 2 to 3 minutes of talk and poster sessions. It continues with an off-campus excursion to a geothermal energy related site on the last day. We are looking forward your valuable participation!

All participants must submit an abstract and present their projects as posters during the conference. You are welcome to register and submit the abstracts for your posters through the form on our website.

If you have any questions or need any assistance, you can contact us at egpd2020@pau.edu.tr.

Looking forward to meeting you there!

New Zealand: Employment Opportunity as Geothermal Power Plant Operators

Vacancy - Power Plant Operators - Eastland Group

Te Ahi O Maui geothermal station.
(Courtesy Eastland Group)
Location: Kawerau & Whakatāne New Zealand
Applications Close: 1st Dec 2019

We're currently looking for operators to join our Kawerau-based team, to operate and maintain our two geothermal plants.

Te Ahi O Maui is New Zealand's first major renewable power plant in nearly four years. It synched to the national grid on 1 October 2018, and is generating around 25MWe. Geothermal Developments Ltd (GDL), our other geothermal power plant, is generating 8MWe.

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

Philippines: Mount Apo Geothermal Power Plants Back Online After Earthquake

EDC’s Kidapawan geothermal power plants back online (Business Mirror)

Geothermal leader Energy Development Corporation’s (EDC) Mount Apo Geothermal Power Plants are now back online, with its 54.24 MW M2  power plant successfully synchronized to the grid on November 12 and its 54.24 MW M1 power plant’s return to service today, following the strong earthquake that hit Kidapawan City and other parts of Mindanao on October 31.

The timely return-to-service of both power plants was made possible by the round-the-clock work of EDC as well as its contractors, and the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), and the National Power Corporation (NPC).


From the Global Geothermal News archives:

Germany: Holzkirchen Geothermal Power Plant to Officially Open this Saturday

Von Oskar von Miller bis zur Geothermie - From Oskar von Miller to geothermal energy (Merkur.de)

Eine Hilfe für die Holzkirchner Gemeindewerke ist hierbei die Geothermie-Anlage, die am Samstag offiziell eröffnet wird. „Durch den Generator können wir Schwankungen abmildern“, erklärt Götz. Nicht zuletzt leiste der Markt Holzkirchen mit der Geothermie und weiteren erneuerbaren Energiequellen „einen Beitrag zur Umstellung der Stromzusammensetzung in der Region“.

(From Google Translate) A help for the Holzkirchner Gemeindewerke here is the geothermal plant, which will be officially opened on Saturday. "The generator allows us to mitigate fluctuations," explains Götz. Last but not least, the Holzkirchen market is making "geothermal energy and other renewable energy sources a contribution to the conversion of electricity in the region".

Weiterlesen..........                    Read More........

From the Global Geothermal News archives:

Poland: Pilot Geothermal District Heating Project to Start in Pyrzyce

Geotermia pomoże w walce ze smogiem? Rusza pilotaż w Pyrzycach - Geothermal energy will help fight smog? Pilot starts in Pyrzyce (Biznes Alert)

Wypracowanie w Pyrzycach modelowego programu wykorzystania zasobów geotermalnych jako narzędzia wsparcia lokalnej społeczności w walce z niską emisją jest celem porozumienia zawartego między NFOŚiGW, spółką Geotermia Pyrzyce, gminą Pyrzyce, WFOŚiGW w Szczecinie oraz Pełnomocnikiem Premiera ds. programu „Czyste Powietrze”. Dokument, inaugurujący projekt „Laboratorium Pyrzyce”, podpisano 14 listopada w Dniu Czystego Powietrza.


(From Google Translate) The development of a model program in Pyrzyce to use geothermal resources as a tool to support the local community in the fight against low emissions is the purpose of the agreement concluded between the NFEPWM, Geotermia Pyrzyce, the commune of Pyrzyce, WFOŚiGW in Szczecin and the Prime Minister's Plenipotentiary for the Clean Air program. The document, inaugurating the project "Pyrzyce Laboratory", was signed on November 14 on Clean Air Day.

Czytaj więcej..........                               Read More..........

USA, Washington: GRC Executive Director to Give Briefing on Geothermal Energy in DC


Friday, November 15, 2019, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM (EST)
Room 2167, Rayburn House Office Building

Please RSVP to expedite check-in: https://www.eesi.org/111519cetsa#rsvp
Live webcast (connection permitting) will be streamed at: www.eesi.org/livecast

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) and the Clean Energy and Technology Staff Association (CETSA) invite you to a briefing on the state of play for renewable energy and energy storage technology in the United States. Renewable energy technologies now account for a substantial portion of the U.S. energy portfolio. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, renewable energy generated 17 percent of total energy in 2018, and projections indicate this percentage will continue to grow.

This briefing will provide an overview of innovations in renewable energy and energy storage, not only in solar and wind power, but also in geothermal power, hydropower, and sustainable biomass. Briefing panelists will share first-hand knowledge from federal agencies and industry to provide the most up-to-date information on the role of renewable energy in the country’s energy mix. The briefing speakers are:
Clean energy technologies have demonstrated vast potential in the American energy space and are leading to consumer savings, cleaner air and water, and more sustainable resource consumption. America's energy landscape is rapidly changing, raising highly important questions related to issues such as storage, natural resources, the expansion of renewable energy, and the development of carbon capture technologies. To successfully address these questions, it is more important than ever to foster a network of collaboration and information sharing. Better planning of America's energy usage will contribute to enhanced preservation of our public lands and environmental safety, protecting and improving the lives of Americans for years to come.

The briefing is co-hosted by the Clean Energy and Technology Staff Association (CETSA). CETSA, founded in 2018, is a bipartisan and bicameral staff association with 95 members. CETSA is dedicated to promoting the education and adoption of clean energy technologies, and aims to promote collaboration and networking amongst like-minded Congressional staffers committed to the expansion and adoption of clean energy technology within America's energy systems.

This event is free and open to the public.

Global: Calendar of Geothermal Energy Events

Geothermal Energy Calendar from the Geothermal Resources Council

SDG Short Course IIV on Exploration and Development of Geothermal Resources (UN-GTP and KenGen)
19-21, November, Munich, Germany
https://www.der-geothermiekongress.de/kongress-2019/der-geothermiekongress.html

1st Canadian Geothermal Students Day 
21-22 November, Québec City, Québec, Canada
https://canadiangeothermal.wixsite.com/cgsd

Joint EAGE/BVG/FKPE Workshop on Borehole Geophysics and Geothermal Energy
22 November, Munich, Germany
https://eage.eventsair.com/boreholegeophysics2019/event-overview

41st New Zealand Geothermal Workshop (NZGW) 
25-27 November, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
https://nzgeothermal.org.nz/

4th National Geothermal Conference - RENAG - Colombian Geothermal Association (AGEOCOL)
25-28 November, Medellin, Colombia
https://renagcolombia.wixsite.com/2019

Global Geothermal Energy Summit 2019 (ACI)
27-28 November, Florence, Italy
https://www.wplgroup.com/aci/event/global-geothermal-energy-summit/

COP 25 - Climate Change Conference
2-13 December, Madrid, Spain
https://unfccc.int/COP25

American Geophysical Union - Annual Fall Meeting 
9-13 December, San Francisco, California
https://www2.agu.org/en/Fall-Meeting

GT'2020 Türkiye Jeotermal Kongresi
5-6 February, 2020, Ankara, Turkey
https://geothermalturkey.org/

Geothermics for Petroleum Engineers (IGA Academy)
5-6 February, 2020, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
https://www.geothermal-energy.org/event/geothermics-for-petroleum-engineers/

Stanford Geothermal Workshop - 45th Annual
10-12 February, 2020, Stanford, California, USA
https://geothermal.stanford.edu/events/workshop

GEMex Final Conference (GEMex Project)
18-19 February, 2020, Potsdam, Germany
http://www.gemex-h2020.eu/

Geothermal Production Technology (IGA Academy)
4-5 March, 2020, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
https://www.geothermal-energy.org/event/geothermal-production-technology/

GeoTHERM - Expo & Congress
5-6 March, 2020, Messe, Offenburg, Germany
https://www.geotherm-offenburg.de/de/geotherm_messe_kongress_geothermie

Joint GRC-SPE Workshop - High Temperature Well Cementing
“Exploring Geothermal and Oil and Gas Synergies”
30 March - 1 April, 2020, San Diego, California, USA
https://geothermal.org/cementing.html

9th ITB International Geothermal Workshop 2020
1-2 April, 2020, Bandung, Indonesia.
https://geothermal.itb.ac.id/

World Geothermal Congress 2020
27 April - 1 May 2020, Reykjavik, Iceland
www.wgc2020.com/

Geothermal Regulations, Legislations and Incentives (IGA Academy)
6-7 May 2020, Basel, Switzerland
https://www.geothermal-energy.org/event/geothermal-regulations-legislations-and-incentives/

The 7th International Meeting on Heat Flow and the Geothermal Field
(GFZ German Research Centre for Geoscience)
12-14 May, 2020, Potsdam, Germany
http://www.ihfc-iugg.org/meetings/2020-potsdam

Geothermal Resources in Sedimentary Basins Conference
9-10 September, 2020, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
http://gssb2019.com/

Geothermics for Petroleum Geoscientists (IGA Academy)
16-17 September, 2020, London, UK
https://www.geothermal-energy.org/event/geothermics-for-petroleum-geoscientists/

44th GRC Annual Meeting & Expo
18-21 October 2020, Reno, Nevada, USA
www.geothermal.org/meet-new.html

Eighth Africa Rift Geothermal Conference (ARGeo-C8)
2-8 November, 2020, UNEP headquarters, Nairobi, Kenya
http://theargeo.org/

COP 26 - Climate Change Conference
9-20 November, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
https://unfccc.int/

Geothermal for Heating and Cooling (IGA Academy)
18-19 November, 2020, Warsaw, Poland
https://www.geothermal-energy.org/event/geothermal-for-heating-and-cooling/

45th GRC Annual Meeting & Expo
3-6 October, 2021, San Diego, California, USA
www.geothermal.org/meet-new.html

Thursday, November 14, 2019

USA, California: High-Temperature Well Cementing and Integrity Workshop - Register Now!

Registration Now Open for High-Temperature Well Cementing and Integrity Workshop  (News Release)

“Exploring Geothermal and Oil & Gas Synergies”

Join us for the Joint GRC-SPE Workshop

March 30 - April 1, 2020
San Diego, California, USA

The draft agenda, abstract submission, hotel reservations, and more, can be found on our new dedicated website at https://cement.mygeoenergynow.org/

Deadline for submission of abstracts is December 1st, 2019.

Registration is Now Open!

Geothermal wells experience high temperatures at very shallow depths and are required to cement casing across the entire length of each casing string set in the well. Our joint workshop will enable both industries to share their experiences, technologies, technical procedures and best practices on this important aspect of well completion.

The Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) and the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) invite you to present your latest technical work in High-Temperature Well Cementing and Integrity at this special joint workshop.

Save $100 by registering before March 1, 2020.

  • GRC or SPE Member: $990
  • Non Member: $1,090

In addition, by booking and staying at the Wyndham San Diego Bay Hotel under the GRC room block, the GRC will refund your workshop registration by $50 per night for up to 3 nights booked/paid. Make your reservation........

More Information..........                        Register Now..........

New Zealand: Geothermal Power Plant Begins to Supply Heat for Wood Pellet Production

Contact Energy and Nature’s Flame heating up this summer (News Release)

(Courtesy Nature’s Flame)
Contact Energy and Nature’s Flame have today turned on the system that provides geothermal energy to the wood pellet manufacturing plant based in Taupō.

Contact and Nature’s Flame began construction on a new heat plant and supporting pipeline infrastructure in July 2019, and the system has now been established as fully operational.

Contact’s Chief Generation and Development Officer James Kilty, says the plant starting to operate is a good news story for the benefits of geothermal energy.
“Contact now provides direct heat energy from our geothermal facilities to the Nature’s Flame plant which dries wood fibres for wood pellet production. The wood fibres are a carbon neutral alternative to fuels such as coal, gas and oil. So we are helping to replace an emissions heavy energy source with an environmentally friendly alternative, all while using a renewable energy source.”

“We are thrilled by the outcome of this deal with Contact. With our new energy supply system getting to operational status, we are able to increase to 100% of capacity, creating new jobs in the Taupō region. We are now receiving 18MW of heat continuously, which is fuelled by a low carbon renewable source,” says John Goodwin, Nature’s Flame Operations Manager.

Read More.........

From the Global Geothermal News archives:

Philippines: DOE to Finalize Stable Pricing System for Renewable Energy by End of year

DOE mulls stable pricing system for renewable energy (SunStar)

(Courtesy CIA.gov)
The Department of Energy (DOE) is pushing for a pricing system for renewable energy (RE) to further boost investment interest in the sector.

Energy Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella said the government’s Green Energy Pricing Program (Gepp) aims to establish “stable pricing” in the RE sector so that investors would be encouraged to generate more green power.

He said the pricing system is necessary to push investors to develop indigenous power sources.

Under the program, the DOE is planning to set a ceiling price for RE players to attract investors and promote competition in the industry.

He said the agency is expected to release the final rules and guidelines for the Gepp by the end of this year after all consultations are done nationwide.

USA, Washington D.C.: GRC Members Give Evidence in Water and Geothermal Power Hearing

Hearing: Water and Geothermal Power: Unearthing the Next Wave of Energy Innovation (House Science, Space, and Technology Committee)


(Video 1:46:36 Hours)

Witnesses:
  • Dr. David Solan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Renewable Power, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy - Testimony.......
  • Dr. Bryson Robertson, Co-Director, Pacific Marine Energy Center, Associate Professor, Civil and Construction Engineering, Oregon State University - Testimony.......
  • Dr. Joseph Moore, Manager, Utah Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy (FORGE), Research Professor, University of Utah - Testimony.......
  • Ms. Maria Richards, Director, Geothermal Laboratory, Roy M. Huffington Department of Earth Sciences, Southern Methodist University - Testimony.......
  • Mr. Sander Cohan, Director, Innovation, Enel Green Power North America, Inc. - Testimony.......

Philippines: Energy Development Corporation Reports Good Revenue from Geothermal Power Plants

First Gen recurring earnings increases by 21% to US$217million in the first three quarters of 2019 (News Release)

First Gen Corporation continues to trailblaze the path of leading the Philippines into a decarbonized future. The Lopez Group‘s energy company reported a recurring net income attributable to equity holders of US$217 million (Php11.3 billion) in the first three quarters of 2019 from the operations of its 3,492 MW clean and renewable portfolio. This was a 21% or US$37 million (Php1.9 billion) jump from its US$180 million (Php9.4 billion) in earnings from the same period in 2018.

Energy Development Corporation (EDC) contributed recurring earnings from its geothermal, wind, and solar platform of US$67 million (Php3.5 billion) in the first nine months of 2019, better by US$14 million (Php0.7 billion) in comparison to US$52million (Php2.7 billion) in 2018.

EDC’s Leyte and Negros geothermal plants performed better due to lower outages and higher average selling prices. Recall that a portion of EDC’s operating assets in Leyte was damaged by Typhoon Urduja in December 2017, which was fully restored in the third quarter of 2018.

EDC’s geothermal, wind and solar revenues accounted for US$547 million (Php28.5 billion) or 34% of First Gen’s total consolidated revenues in the first three quarters of 2019. Of the US$547 million, 94% can be attributed to the geothermal platform while the remainder is from the wind and solar projects.

Read More.........

Publications: GRC Member Co-Authors New Book on Low-Temperature Energy Systems with Applications of Renewable Energy

Low-Temperature Energy Systems with Applications of Renewable Energy (Elsevier)

Authors: Andriy Redko, Oleksandr Redko, Ronald DiPippo

Low-Temperature Energy Systems with Applications of Renewable Energy investigates a wide variety of low-temperature energy applications in residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial areas. It addresses the basic principles that form the groundwork for more efficient energy conversion processes and includes detailed practical methods for carrying out these critical processes.

This work considers new directions in the engineering use of technical thermodynamics and energy, including more in-depth studies of the use of renewable sources, and includes worked numerical examples, review questions, and practice problems to allow readers to test their own comprehension of the material.

With detailed explanations, methods, models, and algorithms, Low-Temperature Energy Systems with Applications of Renewable Energy is a valuable reference for engineers and scientists in the field of renewable energy, as well as energy researchers and academics.

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

USA, California: Geothermal Resources Council Southern California Section Meeting

Meeting of the SoCal Section of the Geothermal Resources Council

Thanks to Sponsor
14 November, 3-5:30pm, Stockmen’s Club, Brawley, Imperial County, California

Agenda:
  1. Welcome- Presented by SoCal GRC Acting President Jon Trujillo
  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. Applying Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technologies to Geothermal Well Targeting and Drilling Operations. Presented by Zack Nolan and Luis Ruano of Beyond Limits. Beyond Limits is a pioneering AI company with roots from Caltech and NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL). Artificial Intelligence uses computer systems to perform advanced pattern recognition, self-learning and decision-making that previously only humans were capable of achieving. This technology is used in oil & gas to process large datasets for resource exploration and risk reduction during drilling operations. BP (British Petroleum) is an early investor of Beyond Limits.
  4. Hudson Ranch Lithium Progress Update. Presenter – Vincent J. Signorotti
  5. Call for Project Updates and Announcements - Open Forum
  6. Meeting Conclusion and Networking
Please RSVP to mary@geothermalresourcegroup.com. If you don’t get a chance to confirm, don’t worry, we’ll let you in. There is no charge to attend the meeting.

We encourage you to join the GRC!

USA, Washington D.C.: Important Hearing on Geothermal Energy in Nation's Capital is Today

Water and Geothermal Power: Unearthing the Next Wave of Energy Innovation

Thursday, November 14, 2019, 2pm  

2318 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington D.C.

House Committee on Science, Space and Technology - Subcommittee on Energy

Check back for live video of this hearing.

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Geothermal Magazine! The Latest News and Knowledge for the Global Geothermal Energy Community

The Latest Bulletin
-
the voice of the international geothermal energy community.



Kenya: The Case for Geothermal Energy Over Coal

The role of geothermal and coal in Kenya’s electricity sector and implications for sustainable development (New Climate Institute)


This study aims at supporting decision making in the electricity sector in Kenya by comparing geothermal and coal as two main power generation technologies, and the impact of developing these technologies on generation costs, affordability of electricity, and overall flexibility and reliability of electricity supply.

The following key points should be considered by electricity sector planners and decision-makers when determining the most suitable mix of electricity generation technologies in Kenya:
  1. Coal generation will be a burden, rather than an asset, to the electricity supply sector.
  2. Coal power is expensive and will increase electricity prices.
  3. Geothermal power is more flexible and therefore more appropriate for the Kenyan context, given the uncertainty in future electricity demand.
  4. Using geothermal instead of coal to generate electricity leads to more domestic job creation.
  5. Negative effects on human health can be avoided if no coal-fired power plant is built. 
  6. Building the Lamu coal-fired power plant puts Kenya’s climate change target at risk and may result in increased public spending in the event of a carbon price.
The following aspects should be considered for the future orientation of the geothermal sector, in order to ensure the best possible use of this resource:
  1. Switching to binary geothermal plants in the future.
  2. Adjusting PPAs to incentivise flexible use of geothermal power.
  3. Ensuring site diversification. 

Bolivia: Tender for Consultancy Services for Construction of 5.6 MW Sol de Mañana Geothermal Pilot Plant

Expresión De Interés  Obtención De Lista Corta "Servicios De Consultoría Para La Construcción De La Planta De Energía Del Proyecto Geotérmico Laguna Colorada" - Expression of Interest for Obtaining a Short List of "Consultancy Services for the Construction of the Energy Plant for the Laguna Colorada Geothermal Project

Presentación de Propuestas/ Presentation of Proposals by December 2nd, 2019

Archivos/ Files:
From the Global Geothermal News archives:

Finance: The Future Could be Bright for Renewable Energy - IEA Report

World Energy Outlook 2019 (IEA)

Deep disparities define today’s energy world: oil markets and geopolitical tensions, carbon emissions and climate targets, the promise of energy for all and the lack of electricity access for 850 million people around the world.

World Energy Outlook 2019 explores these widening fractures in detail. It explains the impact of today’s decisions on tomorrow’s energy systems, and describes a pathway that enables the world to meet climate, energy access and air quality goals while maintaining a strong focus on the reliability and affordability of energy for a growing global population.

In the Stated Policies Scenario, solar becomes the largest source of installed capacity around 2035, surpassing coal and gas. Global coal-fired capacity plateaus, with the project pipeline of 710 GW, mainly in Asia, just exceeding coal plant retirements, mainly in advanced economies. Renewables make up two-thirds of all capacity additions to 2040 globally. Wind power capacity triples, with offshore wind taking off in Europe, China and the United States. Gas-fired capacity grows in most markets for reliability purposes and battery storage skyrockets.

In the Sustainable Development Scenario, additional measures to incentivise investment in renewables-based electricity, bioenergy, solar heat, geothermal heat and electrification push the share of renewables to two-thirds of electricity generation output and 37% of final energy consumption. By 2040, expected output from wind (8 300 TWh) and solar PV (7 200 TWh) are expected to exceed hydropower (6 950 TWh), while the share of heat coming from renewables in 2040 increases to 30% of the total or to 1 200 Mtoe. In the transport sector, consumption of energy from renewable sources is projected to increase to 600 Mtoe, with biofuels accounting for around 60% and electricity from renewable sources consumed by electric vehicles and rail accounting for the remainder.

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

USA, South Dakota: Enhanced Geothermal Systems Collab Project Focuses on Hydraulic Shearing Research

Geothermal group takes their research up a level—to the 4100 (News Release)

SIGMA-V experiment moves 750 feet up to learn more about hot rocks 600 miles away

Researcher with the EGS Collab SIGMA-V experiment works on the 4100 Level at Sanford Lab. Photo by Nick Hubbard
“Geothermal extraction requires three things: hot rock, permeable pathways through the rock and fluid to extract the heat,” explained Tim Kneafsey, principal investigator for the Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) Collab Project and a staff scientist with Berkeley Lab. “Hot rock is an abundant resource in the US, but it is often missing open pathways that allow you to extract the heat.”

The EGS Collab is working to find better ways to extract heat from the earth’s hot rocks. Under the leadership of Berkeley Lab and Sandia National Laboratories, researchers are creating models that can predict the behavior of geothermal hot spots, before full-scale site research begins at the FORGE laboratory in Utah. 

The EGS Collab has used the underground drifts of Sanford Lab as a research and development testbed since 2015. The SIGMA-V experiment has probed the Poorman rock formation on the 4850 Level for years, collecting immense amounts of data.

Now, the EGS Collab is moving their equipment to the 4100 Level, where the rock is slightly different.

United Kingdom: “Geothermal energy provides a real opportunity for the UK to develop a cleaner, low carbon energy source"

Research into heating homes from County Durham mine water earns award (The Northern Echo)

Dr Charlotte Adams (center) receives the award.
Research into the potential of using geothermal energy as a low-carbon heat source has helped a Durham University researcher win a prestigious national award.

Dr Charlotte Adams, an Assistant Professor in Durham’s department of earth sciences, has been named Energy Champion by the UK Energy Institute (EI).

Research by Dr Adams and her colleagues has found that water within former coal mines could provide enough geothermal energy to meet the UK’s demand for heat for more than 100 years.

She said: “Geothermal energy provides a real opportunity for the UK to develop a cleaner, low carbon energy source which will help to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and improve the country’s energy security.

“Geothermal could also bring economic and social improvements to regions that suffered following the abandonment of deep mining in the UK by tapping into the heat source that now exists in these former coalfields.

“It’s a tremendous honour to win this award from the UK Energy Institute as we seek to develop geothermal as a major source of heat for the next 100 years or more.”

Education: United Nations University Geothermal Training Programme Offers MSc or PhD Fellowships

Application for an MSc or PhD Fellowship (UNU-GTP)

The deadline for applications is November 30. 

The United Nations University Geothermal Training Programme (UNU-GTP) offers former UNU Fellows the opportunity to apply for an MSc or PhD Fellowship. The Fellowship enables successful applicants to study at the University of Iceland or Reykjavík University and covers the full tuition fees and living allowance.

The Fellowships are exclusively awarded to Fellows that have completed the Six Month Training Programme at the UNU-GTP.

Applicants that wish to be considered for an MSc or PhD Fellowship may apply to the UNU-GTP by completing the relevant sections of the application form. Applications will be valid for 2 years unless requested otherwise.

Please send the application form to Lúðvík S. Georgsson: lsg@os.is and cc: unugtp@unugtp.is.

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Education: 100 Technical Papers from 2019 Geothermal Energy Event Now Available

2019 GRC Transactions Are Now Available in The GRC Online Geothermal Library! - For Members Only


The one hundred (100) papers from the 2019 GRC Transactions Volume 43 as presented at the GRC Annual Meeting & Expo in Palm Springs, California are now available online to current GRC members only. Don't lose access to these papers - make sure your membership is up to date by renewing your GRC membership today!

GRC Membership Renewals have been sent out. If you did not receive your renewal notice, please contact Anh Lay at (530) 758-2360 ext. 100 or by email at alay@geothermal.org.

Don't forget to check out the Policy Committee options and donate to the different GRC funds! We rely heavily on support from generous people like you! All donations are tax deductible.

You can renew your GRC Membership in 4 convenient ways:

USA, California: Employment Opportunity at Navy Geothermal Program Office

Vacancy - Geoscientist at the Navy Geothermal Program Office

F-18 with the Coso Geothermal Field discovery Well
Currently searching for a Geoscientist/Engineer interested in geothermal systems.

The Navy Geothermal Program Office (EXWC PW68) is the U.S. Department of Defense lead agency for geothermal resource care and exploration.

Current Projects:
  • Ridgecrest Earthquake Response
    • Continued assessment of fault rupture on North and South Naval Air Station China Lake
  • Coso
    • Shallow Temperature Survey
    • Microgravity Survey
    • Microseismic Analysis and Interpretation
  • Fallon
    • Microseismic Analysis and Interpretation
    • Fallon FORGE Well 21-31 Analysis and Interpretation
  • Hawthorne
    • Deep Direct Use Feasibility Analysis
Please send resumes and a brief introduction to kelly.blake@navy.mil.

Ecuador: Chachimbiro Geothermal Project to Install 5 MW Power Plant in 2022

Energía limpia se explota en Chachimbiro - Clean energy is exploited in Chachimbiro (El Norte)

(Courtesy El Norte)
Actualmente el proyecto se encuentra en la fase de desarrollo de campo; para esta primera etapa se tendrá un presupuesto de 70 millones de dólares, de los cuales 60 millones serían financiados por un Préstamo Oficial de Ayuda al Desarrollo por parte JICA. Asimismo, en esta fase, se procederá también al montaje de una planta de cinco megavatios, a boca pozo, en el año 2022.

Desde marzo del 2018 se han realizado pruebas en el primer pozo exploratorio, con resultados satisfactorios, ya que se han encontrado temperaturas de 235ºC que son ideales para la instalar una planta geotérmica.

(From Google Translate) The project is currently in the field development phase; For this first stage, a budget of 70 million dollars will be available, of which 60 million will be financed by an Official Development Assistance Loan from JICA. Also, in this phase, we will also proceed to the assembly of a five megawatt plant, at the wellhead, in the year 2022.

Since March 2018, tests have been carried out in the first exploratory well, with satisfactory results, since temperatures of 235ºC have been found that are ideal for installing a geothermal plant.

Lee mas..........                             Read More..........

From the Global Geothermal News archives:

Philippines: Mt. Apo Geothermal Power Plant Can Start Delivering Power Again After Earthquake Damage

NGCP restores damaged Kidapawan power lines (Minda News)

Intensity Map of the M 6.6 earthquake on Oct. 29
(Courtesy USGS)
The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) announced on Tuesday that restoration work on its quake-damaged sub-station was completed on Sunday, November 10, a week ahead of its scheduled energization.

In a statement, Michael Ortega Ligalig, head of NGCP in Mindanao, said the Kidapawan sub-station was energized on November 10 and is now ready to accommodate power from the Energy Development Corporation-owned 106-megawatt Mt. Apo Geothermal Power Plant (MAGPP) located at the foothills of Mt. Apo.

Read More.........

From the Global Geothermal News archives:

Australia: "Geothermal Plant Could Provide Endless Opportunities Across a Range of Industries"

Geothermal Plant to provide endless opportunities for Winton Shire (The North West Star)


The installation of a Geothermal Plant could provided endless opportunities for the Winton Shire across a range of industries. The $4 million project was invested by Winton Shire Council ($3.5m) and the Queensland Department of State Development grant ($500,000) to help offset increases in electricity charges and offer an opportunity to raise revenue. 

As the water from the bore was already hot, Winton Shire Council said it was a logical conclusion to use it as a source of energy and the idea for Geothermal Power Station was born. The Winton Geothermal Plant has a peak output of 310kW which is partially used by the cooling system and the town water reticulation system with the remainder sold to Ergon and distributed to town. 

"Winton uses approximately 3MW of power, so based on average annual household consumption the Geothermal Plant equates to 200 houses at peak efficiency," Council said. "Winton Shire are particularly proud of this community owned, clean energy project and hopes it will be the first of many of these types of generators throughout central Australia."

Science & Technology: New Method for Locating Potential Geothermal Drilling Sites that are Covered by Water

New exploration method for geothermal energy (TechXplore)

by Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres

Maren Brehme and Muhamad Andhika during
fluid sampling in Lahendong. Credit: Maren Brehme
Where to drill? This is the basic question in the exploration of underground energy resources, such as geothermal energy. Water in rocks flows along permeable pathways, which are the main target for geothermal drilling. Borehole, core and micro-earthquake data show that the pathways are spatially connected, permeable structures, such as fractures or faults in the rock. However, the geothermal potential of these structures cannot be fully exploited with the techniques available to date.

A research team led by Maren Brehme, research scientist at the GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences until August 2019 and now Assistant Professor at the TU Delft, presents a new method for locating potential drilling sites that are covered by water. "In the future, our method will make it possible to map geological structures under water and draw conclusions about the inflow from surrounding layers," says Maren Brehme.

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

Science & Technology: Latest Issue Offers Articles on Theory, Exploration Techniques and all Aspects of Utilizing Geothermal Resources

Geothermics’ Volume 83 (January 2020)

The latest issue of Geothermics’ Volume 83 (January 2020) is available.

Table of Contents........

Through affiliation with the International Geothermal Association (IGA) the GRC offers a discount to the professional journal Geothermics, which publishes articles on the theory, exploration techniques and all aspects of utilizing geothermal resources.

Current, past as well as upcoming articles in Geothermics can be found by going to: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/geothermics

Members can make their payment via bank transfer, fax their card details or call Elsevier with the information provided in their invoice.

Please, follow the steps below in order to get the Geothermics Journal for the reduced price:

  • Step 1: Contact Elsevier Team at emeasocieties@elsevier.com for a proforma invoice and mention the special rate for Geothermics Journal:
    • $133 – for individual members
    • $305 – for corporate/institutional members
  • Step 2: Wait for the Elsevier Team to send you the proforma invoice.
  • Step 3: Provide a payment and confirm payment has been sent and applied to your account in order to receive the online registration instructions per email.
  • Step 4: Wait for the online registration instructions per email. Please, notice that your e-mail address will be uploaded in the system for journal’s access via Science Direct.

USA, California: Vacancies at The Geysers with Geothermal Company Calpine

Employment Opportunities at The Geysers

Technical Maintenance Manager - Calpine at The Geysers
Location: Middletown, California, USA

Oversees safe and economical daily and long-term maintenance of equipment at multiple assigned geothermal power plants and their associated steam fields. Ensures safety of employees, contractors and the public in all maintenance activities in operating plants. Coordinates schedules and conducts mechanical, electrical, and instrument and control repair, preventative maintenance and new installations. Organizes and oversees contract work. Maintains computerized maintenance management program. Ensures compliance with all applicable environmental and safety regulations during the performance of maintenance activities. Schedules materials, equipment and personnel for plant outages and overhauls. Participates in the planning and scheduling of plant activities. Maintains needed site spare parts in coordination with warehouse personnel. Helps create and monitor plant/field budget for expenses and projects. Oversees performance of contractors required for on-site maintenance, services, equipment rentals, and maintenance training. Manages new equipment warranties. On-call 24 hours/day 7 days/week to respond to potential power plant/steam field problems. More Information and Apply..........

Program Manager - Power - Calpine at The Geysers
Location: Middletown, California, USA

The Power Program Manager will be responsible for providing tactical maintenance and engineering services to support safe, economic and highly reliable Fleet Operations. Act as a subject matter expert to carry out planning, operation, troubleshooting, maintenance, new construction activities through others for electrical power systems. Provide consistent implementation of standards and programs throughout Calpine's Fleet improving operational reliability and efficiency. Provide technical guidance to other departments within Calpine. Provide technical leadership to both internal and external organizations and entities. Responsible for working with internal or contractor resources to ensure activities meet company and industry standards. This position is subject to afterhours call outs and response. More Information and Apply..........

Steamfield Engineer - Calpine at The Geysers
Location: Middletown, California, USA

Coordinates all engineering functions to assure the steamfield operates at maximum performance and reliability. Provides engineering support for steam gathering and water injection facilities; responsible for providing technical support for daily operations, maintenance, field infrastructure improvements, process improvements, design, equipment acquisition, asset breakdown analysis, corrosion mitigation, and subsequent corrective actions. Develops and maintains field operating records. Responsible for Management of Change program within the steamfield. Coordinates with counterparts on steamfield equipment standardization and modernization. More Information and Apply..........

Engineering CAD Tech II - Calpine at The Geysers
Location: Middletown, California, USA

The Computer Aided Design Technician (CAD Tech) will be responsible for development of facilities drawings and construction plans for reservoir, steam gathering, vent collection, injection systems, and power plants using AutoCAD, hand drafting methods, and additional other drafting software tools. Working with the Document Control Engineering Specialist, maintains drawing/document control systems for all facilities drawings. More Information and Apply..........

Friday, November 8, 2019

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.

Indonesia: Survey Identifies Ideal Geothermal Drilling Site at Lake Linau

Geothermal sweetspots identified in a volcanic lake integrating bathymetry and fluid chemistry (Nature)

By Maren Brehme, et al. 

Fault permeability pattern in the Lake Linau area.
We investigate fluid pathways beneath volcanic lakes using bathymetry and geochemical measurements to locate best-possible drilling sites. Highly permeable structures, such as faults, provide fluid channels that are the most suitable access points to the geothermal resource.

Accurate mapping of these structures therefore guides the successful targeting of wells. Lakes, rivers or ocean, can hide surface footprints of these permeable structures, such as in our case beneath Lake Linau.

High-resolution bathymetry identifies linear and conical discontinuities, which are linked to offshore tectonic structures as confirmed by surrounding outcrops and hot springs.

Geochemical measurements document inflow of hot saline acidic water into the lake verifying bathymetry-located highly permeable structures.

Integrating onshore well data, our bathymetry and chemical results locates an ideal drilling site into the geothermal reservoir beneath the western shoreline of Lake Linau.

Read More.........

Brehme, M., Giese, R., Suherlina, L. et al. Geothermal sweetspots identified in a volcanic lake integrating bathymetry and fluid chemistry. Sci Rep 9, 16153 (2019) doi:10.1038/s41598-019-52638-z

Germany: Three Day Meeting on Heat Flow and the Geothermal Field

The 7th International Meeting on Heat Flow and the Geothermal Field (GFZ German Research Centre for Geoscience)

12-14 May 2020, Potsdam Germany

The overarching theme of the Potsdam Čermák7 meeting, which is organized both as a conference and a workshop (call for abstracts), provides a unique opportunity for researchers, students and industry experts to discuss recent results and developments in heat-flow determination and interpretation, experimental petrophysics, geothermal exploration and lithosphere studies.

Surrounded by forests and lakes and rich in historical castles and cultural attractions, Potsdam is looking forward to welcoming you to the Čermák7 conference!

Register Now.........                        More Information.........

France: "It Will Take 10 Deep Geothermal Projects in France to Guarantee National Independence in Lithium Supply at a Very Competitive Price for its Industry"

Le Lithium géothermal alsacien, une affaire de plus en plus sérieuse? - Lithium from geothermal in Alsace, a more and more serious argument? (GreenUnivers)

Un nouveau modèle économique pourrait émerger pour la géothermie en Alsace, qui en a bien besoin, de même qu’une nouvelle perspective pour l’approvisionnement français en Lithium. Pressentie depuis les années 1990, la présence de ce métal est désormais confirmée dans la région, à la fois par Electricité de Strasbourg (détenue à 88,6% par EDF) et par Fonroche Géothermie. Les deux développeurs estiment que depuis leurs puits déjà en service ou à l’étude, ils pourraient en extraire annuellement plusieurs milliers de tonnes. “Il suffira de 10 projets de géothermie profonde en France pour garantir l’indépendance nationale en approvisionnement de Lithium à prix très compétitif pour son industrie”, affirme ainsi Fonroche Géothermie ...

(From Google Translate) A new economic model could emerge for geothermal energy in Alsace, which needs it, as well as a new perspective for the French supply of Lithium. Since the 1990s, the presence of this metal is now confirmed in the region, both by Electricité de Strasbourg (owned 88.6% by EDF) and by Fonroche Géothermie. The two developers estimate that since their wells already in service or under study, they could extract several thousand tons annually. "It will take 10 deep geothermal projects in France to guarantee national independence in Lithium supply at a very competitive price for its industry," says Fonroche Géothermie ...

Lire la suite.........                             Read More.........

United Kingdom: Dr Charlotte Adams is an Energy Champion!

Women scoop EI Awards for achievement in geothermal energy and energy data revolution (News Release)

The achievements of two leading energy professionals in the fields of geothermal energy and energy data were recognised last night at the gala ceremony of the 20th Energy Institute (EI) Awards in London.

Alongside winners in six other project categories, the two ‘individual’ awards both went to women. Dr Charlotte Adams, Assistant Professor at Durham University was awarded Energy Champion. Mariah McKavanagh, Managing Director of Verv Energy became the Young Professional of the Year.

Charlotte Adams’ outstanding work bridges the gaps between academia, industry and society and promotes Geothermal energy options in the UK. She was co-founder of BritGeothermal and her work on the potential to use water from abandoned mines to heat UK homes has led to a debate in Parliament led by Helen Goodman MP.

USA, Nevada: Ormat Working on New Opportunities in New Zealand, Indonesia and the Philippines

Ormat Technologies, Inc. 2019 Q3 - Results - Earnings Call Transcript (Nasdaq)


Isaac Angel -- Chief Executive Officer: "We continue to see opportunities in Turkey but recent trends of U.S. sanctions and economy and the straining of U.S. Turkey diplomatic relation may impact potential demand and price competitiveness and the result we may see continuation of the slowdown in the Turkish market.

We are working on new opportunity in New Zealand, Indonesia and the Philippines to diversify and grow out. As we discussed in previous call the New Zealand market remains a stable and attractive market for growth that we are excited to expand our presence in. The Philippines currently have geothermal field supply about 10% of commissions energy with the long-term plan to increase the capacity by 25% by 2040. And Indonesia one of the larger geothermal market in the world there are numerous new opportunities that we're currently evaluating.

As our electricity segment continues to grow the impact of the volatility of the product segments and especially margin volatility will have relatively less of an impact on our overall financial results."

Read More..........                             Presentation.........