Category: Geothermal


GeoGlobal Energy acquires major stake in geothermal project in California

May 21st, 2010 | Posted in Geothermal | Comments (1)

GeoGlobal Energy announced the company has acquired a major stake in the first stand-alone high temperature flash technology geothermal power project in the last 20 years in Imperial Valley, California. This is one of the hottest and largest geothermal areas in the world.

The project is to have 49 MW of baseload power capacity, and should be completed in two years. The entire power output will be sold under a 30-year PPA to Salt River Project, a utility serving the Phoenix, Arizona area.

[source: GeoGlobal Energy]


Mighty River Power granted resource consents for construction and operation of Ngatamariki Geothermal Power Station

May 14th, 2010 | Posted in Geothermal | Comments (1)

Computer rendered visualization of the Ngatamariki Geothermal Power Station.

Mighty River Power, a New Zealand based geothermal energy developer, has been granted resource consents, along with its partner company Tauhara No. 2 Trust, to construct and operate the Ngatamariki Geothermal Power Station. The proposed 110 MW power plant, to be located near Taupo, is planned for completion just ahead of winter in 2013. It represents a USD 400 million investment, and will be developed by the Rotokawa Joint Venture (formed between Mighty River and Tauhara No.2 Trust).

The Ngatamariki Geothermal project will be the third geothermal energy project for Mighty River Power and the second for Tauhara No.2 Trust, and will contribute to an overall total of 500 MW of geothermal capacity operated by Mighty River once completed.

At the moment, 14% of New Zealand's electricity comes from geothermal energy sources.

[source: Mighty River Power]

Magma Energy granted exploitation permit for 50 MW geothermal project in Chile

May 7th, 2010 | Posted in Geothermal | Comments (1)

Magma Energy's drill site in Chile.

Magma Energy announced the company has been granted an exploitation permit by the government of Chile for a 50 Mw geothermal plant at the Laguna de Maule property in Chile. Laguna de Maule is next to another property called Pellado, and together they make up the Mariposa Geothermal Reservoir. Magma Energy earlier reported a 320 MW inferred resource for this area.

The company is drilling the second of its five slim holes in the Mariposa Reservoir. Initially, temperatures near 200 degrees Celsius were discovered at depths of about 650 meters. The drilling is to be concluded in December this year, and is to total about USD 15 million in costs. Magma is targetting the depth of about 1500 meters for each hole. Once results have been collecte and analyzed, Magma Energy will be able to proceed with the development of Phase 1 with 50 MW of capacity. Mariposa is about 25 km away from the nearest installed power lines, so there will be additional work needed in order to connect the geothermal power plant with the grid.

[source: Magma Energy]

India implementing geothermal energy R&D and demonstration program

May 5th, 2010 | Posted in Geothermal | Comments (10)

Geothermal resource and potential map of India.

The Ministry of New and Renwable Energy of India is moving forward with renewable energy initiatives by announcing the beginning of the implementation of a research and development and demonstration program involving geothermal energy. Under this program, geothermal resource assessment studies were supported, bringing data on potential geothermal energy exploitation sites in the country's states of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. Even though several states have initiated efforts to confirm the identified geothermal potential sites, no further communication has been received by the Ministry, in the direction of approvals for future geothermal energy projects.

India is already expanding its renewable energy sources involving wind and solar energy. The country has also significant hydropower potential, a lot of which has already been harnessed. With geothermal energy, India will further strengthen its clean energy portfolio, and open the road for further investments in this sector. Marine and tidal energy have not yet been mentioned in any detailed context, but this energy source is sure to find its way into the country's RE mix in the future as well.

[source: Indian Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, via: ThinkGeoenergy, image: GeoSyndicate]

Indonesia has USD 5 billion worth of geothermal deals in the pipeline

April 29th, 2010 | Posted in Geothermal | Comments (3)

At the beginning of the World Geothermal Congress, taking place from April 25-30 in Bali, Indonesia, the country's president announced Indonesia has signed geothermal development contracts totalling USD 5 billion. The country has set a goal of developing about 9000 MW of geothermal capacity by 2025, as was also revealed at the event.

Indonesia has recently been granted a USD 400 million loan from the World Bank, for the purpose of investing in geothermal development. The country holds about 40% of the global geothermal capacity, according to some sources. It's geography puts it alongside one of the main crevaces between our planet's tectonic plates, where geothermal acitivity is abundant. It has been estimated that the country has about 27 GW of geothermal capacity that could be harnessed theoretically. At the moment, Indonesia is ranked as the third global geothermal energy consumer, after United States and the Philippines.

[via: UPI]

MHI and Reykjavik Energy sign MoU on global geothermal energy development

April 19th, 2010 | Posted in Geothermal | Comments (1)

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Reykjavik Energy (Iceland's largest geothermal developer; Orkuveita Reykjavikur or OR) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Tokyo on cooperation in exploiting geothermal development opportunities around the world.

OR is already looking into geothermal energy promotion globally, and has begun development activities in Africa, and other regions of the world. Through the MoU, MHI is going to participate in OR's global geothermal initiative, by supplying geothermal equipment and jointly exploring geothermal potential worldwide. Some activities include identification and verification of geothermal potential, project launch support, equipment, power plant preparation and management.

One of the key areas of collaboration will also be geothermal development on Iceland, but also synthetic and alternative fuel production for the tranportation sector. Iceland is aiming to become a "zero emission" society by 2050.

MHI is alreadu involved in clean energy collaboration on Iceland, through an MoU signed with the Icelandic government in 2008, for collaboration on studies on dimethyl ether production from gas, and establishment of EV verification testing infrastructure.

MHI has already delivered 13 geothermal plants to OR on Iceland, over the past twenty years.

[source: MHI]

GEA issues report on US geothermal in 2009 – shows 26% growth

April 15th, 2010 | Posted in Geothermal | No Comments

The Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) has issed a report on geothermal energy in the US in 2009, which shows this branch of the renewable energy industry has experienced a 26% growth in new projects (under development). Some 188 new projects are under way in more than 15 states, expected to result in no less than 7.8 GW of electrical power capacity.

Geothermal energy is being regarded as one of the significant renewables which will contribute to the country's transition towards cleaner energy production. Nevada has been singled out as the most active state with more than 3 GW of geothermal capacity in development.

GEA estimates the ongoing and future developments could result in almost 30,000 permenent jobs. All the projects under development combined represent a total of about USD 35 billion in investments. New projects are being worked on from coast to coast, with identified locations in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. The report also shows a rise in small-scale (~1 MW) geothermal power plants. All new projects that came online in 2009 used the new federal tax grant provisions, authorized through the stimulus bill which was passed to create a more attractive investment atmosphere for renewable energy.

[source: Geothermal Energy Association]

Terra Energy Resources negotiating geothermal development in Indonesia

April 7th, 2010 | Posted in Geothermal | Comments (6)

Terra Energy Resources (TER) announced it is in negotiations with Jala Tekno Geothermal (JTG), a subsidiary of Pandawa Energy, for geothermal development on the island of Java, in Indonesia. JTG has successfully drilled a steam production well, capped at the moment, with an evaluation at more than 6 MW of potential. The field where the well is located is estimated to hold anywhere between 75 MW and 150 MW of potential geothermal capacity.

Geothermal hotspots in Indonesia.

Pandawa Energy is currently developing two locations on Java, and three more on other Indonesian islands, all totalling in an estimated 1000 MW of capacity. The company has received several expressions of interest from American and European geothermal companies for upstream and downstream financing, and operational and technical expertise for its geothermal projects.

Indonesia is probably the world's "hottest" geothermal development region, with an estimated 27 GW of geothermal capacity that could be harnessed in theory. So far, only about 1100 MW have been tapped, although there are ongoing developments that will increase this amount in the near future.

[source: Terra Energy Resources, image: Pandawa Energy]

Raser Technologies drills into the Indonesian geothermal market

March 30th, 2010 | Posted in Geothermal | Comments (1)

Raser Technologies has been awarded the Indonesia Power grand funding by the US Trade and Development Agency. The amount involved is USD 934,308, and will be used to perform a feasibility study of the Tangkuban Perahu geothermal concession.

Raser Technologies was selected as the only competitor for the award, to perform the study, and assess the techno-economic and financial feasibility of this geothermal resource. Further impact of this award is a chance for other US companies to enjoy the benefits of being able to tap the Indonesian market. The grant will cover the expenses of about 70% of the total cost of the study. The remaining cost will be covered by Raser Technologies. The study is to being in May 2010, and completion is expected sometime during 2011.

Indonesia is betting big on geothermal energy to answer the growing energy demand in the country, as well pursuing a clean energy future. The country's located on top of one of the geothermal most active areas in the world. Estimated geothermal power capacity is at about 24 GW.

source: Raser Technologies]

The World Bank approves USD 400 million for Indonesia's geothermal development

March 19th, 2010 | Posted in Geothermal | No Comments

The World Bank's Trust Fund Committee of the Clean Technology Fund (CTF) has approved a USD 400 million in funding to Indonesia for the purpose of developing geothermal energy technology and resources in this country. The effort will significantly contribute to Indonesia's plan of achieving 26% greenhouse gas emission reduction by 2020.

The development plan will use co-financing from multilateral clean tech funds to expand and accelerate large-scale geothermal development. An additional USD 2.7 billion is lined up to be mobilized when the time comes, from a range of other financing sources.

Indonesia is not the only country to receive funding for renewable energy development. Colombia, Kazakhstan and Ukraine will also receive funding – USD 150 million, USD 200 million and USD 350 million, respectively.

[source: World Bank]

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