New research and development of renewable energy resources with special emphasis on geothermal exploration has experienced an unprecedented federal funding increase over the past few years. This renewed focus has attracted a new generation of geoscientists to the field of geothermal exploration and geothermal occurrence models, making this proposed session very timely. We attempt to attract scientists from academia, industry, and government to invigorate innovative geothermal exploration techniques, incl. seismology, magnetotellurics, remote sensing, isotope geochemistry, thermochronometry, etc. We seek to focus this session on latest developments in this revived field and attract researchers from diverse fields to help propel the science forward.
AGU abstract Deadline Sept. 2. Please see http://www.agu.org/meetings/fm10/program/scientific_session_search.php?show=detail&sessid=776 for more information.
The Bureau of Land Management seeks comments on two proposed geothermal energy projects in Dixie Valley as it prepares an Environmental Assessment. The proposed 70 MW plants by TGP Dixie Development Company will both be covered under one environmental assessment. The company expects the projects could create about 305 jobs and contribute $350 million in taxes to the county. BLM has placed the projects on a fast-track timeline.
Comments will be accepted until Sept. 5. Send to Desna Young, planning and environmental coordinator, Stillwater Field Office, 5565 Morgan Mill Road, Carson City, NV 89701 or via e-mail to: desna_young@blm.gov.
E-mail should include “Coyote Canyon/Dixie Meadows” in the subject line. For information, visit http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/carson_city_field/blm_information/nepa.html; or call (775) 885-6078.
Posted 8/2010: GEA’s web site, www.geo-energy.org has ongoing updates meant to provide you with accessible reports, information, links, and more.
We are aware of some glitches on our site — for example, there are some inconsistencies in viewing from different browsers. We are working on this; please help us solve any additional problems. Let us know:
Have you run into any problems on GEA’s site?
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- Have you noticed any out-of-date information?
- Please report problems to Leslie Blodgett, leslie@geo-energy.org
Many thanks for your help! Recent updates to www.geo-energy.org include:
Updates to Developing Projects and Power Plant information
- Video on YouTube
- Photos on Flickr
- Member Access includes presentations from all GEA events
- Member Data base searchable by field and location
- Notices, Jobs, and Proposals listed in the GEW are now also updated each week to the site.
The Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office is hosting two live webinars on Wednesday, September 1, 2010 & Thursday, September 9, 2010, from 3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. EDT. Speakers will discuss the Program’s open solicitations for loan guarantees and new ways to apply.
Each live webinar will cover:
- New Round 8, Part I & II deadlines for the Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy and Advanced Transmission and Distribution Technologies Solicitation (2009);
- Eligibility information and application requirements in connection with the Solicitation for Federal Loan Guarantees for Projects that Manufacture Commercial Technology Renewable Energy Systems and Components; and
- New methods of submitting materials via the online application portal.
Webinars will include a presentation and brief Q&A. Potential applicants, industry professionals and other interested parties are welcome to attend.
To register:
Wednesday, September 1, 2010 - https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/683912936
Thursday, September 9, 2010 - https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/412304929
Posted 8/2010: Bloomberg has just published a Geothermal – US Drilling Market Research Note for its clients. Highlights covered in the Research Note:
- Fluctuations in the domestic oil price have pushed several oil and gas drillers into the geothermal market in an effort to keep their rigs busy;
- The added competition has driven down day rates and reduced wait times for rigs, both features highly favorable for geothermal developers; and
- The US geothermal drilling market is set to expand to over $2bn/yr; or $15bn+ to complete the over 4 GW in the current US development pipeline.
Argonne National Laboratory, through funding provided by The U.S. Department of Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), has just released the final report on a study they completed on water issues relating to shale gas development in the Marcellus Shale. Entitled "Water Management Technologies Used by Marcellus Shale Gas Producers", it discusses:
Controlling the storm water runoff from disturbed areas,
- Obtaining sufficient freshwater supply to conduct hydraulic fracturing (frac jobs) on new wells, and
- Managing the flowback water and produced water from the well (primary focus of the report)
Full copy of the report available at: http://www.evs.anl.gov/pub/dsp_detail.cfm?PubID=2537.
The Department of Energy is extending the application deadline for the July 2009 Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy and Advance Transmission and Distribution Technologies Solicitation. Round 8, Part I application is due October 5, 2010. Applicants that are invited to submit a Part II application must submit all materials by the Round 8, Part II deadline of December 31, 2010.
Energy secretary Steven Chu said: "By extending the time applicants can file, we will be able to support additional projects that diversify the country's clean energy mix and strengthen our economy."
The extension gives companies six more weeks to apply for a loan guarantee under Section 1703 or Recovery Act-funded Section 1705. For more information about this solicitation and the Department’s Loan Guarantee Program, please visit www.lgprogram.energy.gov.
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Integrated Resource Plan Open for Comment
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) Draft 2010 Integrated Resource Plan (Draft 2010 IRP) is now out and open for comment. The draft is designed to provide a 20-year for ensuring Las Angeles energy needs are met and follow regulatory requirements and environmental policy goals. The Draft 2010 IRP adheres to the following objectives:
* Reliability of the Power System
* Regulatory compliance
* Environmental stewardship, including pursuing renewable energy resources
* Maintaining low and stable rates
For related documents and workshops visit http://www.lapowerplan.org/.
New Book Provides Case Studies on Geothermal Energy Topics
A new book on geothermal energy, entitled Geothermal Energy: Renewable Energy and the Environment has just been released by CRC Press. The author is William E. Glassley, who is with The Energy Institute, University of California, Davis. Initial chapters deal with the physics of heat generation and heat transfer, thermodynamics, hydrology, geochemistry and basic earth sciences, providing a rigorous introduction to the principles that determine the characteristics of geothermal resources. Subsequent chapters deal with resource exploration and assessments, drilling, power generation, direct use applications and heat pumps. The book concludes with chapters that consider environmental issues, the economics of geothermal applications and project development guidelines, and potential future developments that could affect geothermal energy availability. Real world examples are used throughout the book to demonstrate key processes and considerations. Case studies conclude each chapter, along with extensive references and links to useful internet sites. Problem sets are included for each chapter and a teaching guide is also available. (CRC Press, Taylor and Francis Group, 311 pages, 8
approximately 20 color plates and 150 figures, $119.95. ISBN 9781420075700).
Presentations from the May 27 Geothermal Working Group meeting at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science are now posted at a new group site called Geothermal Energy in Colorado: http://coloradogeothermal.groupsite.com/. By joining and participating in this site you will have access to geothermal resources, notices and communications, and networking opportunities. All members can post geothermal events to a calendar, join a forum for discussions, and access an index for finding contacts and resources.
From the Keilir Institute of Technology: Recent developments within the technologies of geothermal power plants have led the expansion of technical training in Iceland to cope with the demand for technicians. The Geothermal Power Plant Technician course at the Keilir Institute of Technology is set to address the growing need for skilled geothermal power plant technicians as well as health, safety and environmental issues.
The Geothermal Power Plant Technician course at Keilir is split into two separate programs, which are then spread across two years. The first year is an Associate of Applied Science Degree (worth 60 ECTS), where students receive hands-on training in running and maintaining power plants. The second year is an Associate of Science Degree (also worth 60 ECTS), which is more focused on the academic methods and techniques used for planning daily operations, maintenance and purchasing equipment/spare parts – the combination of the two results in a total of 120 ECTS.
Students will show a great deal of initiative, implement improvements and perform follow-up actions throughout the program. Students will also be trained with a ‘sense of ownership’ towards running, operating and maintaining geothermal power plants. This will of course be beneficial towards the impact of long-term employment opportunities.
In addition, students will learn how to significantly reduce maintenance costs through specialized training, without the need for a manufacturer’s service. The Geothermal Power Plant Technician Program is available from September 2011 at the Keilir Institute of Technology in Keflavik, Iceland.
To find out more regarding geothermal power in Iceland, the course and Keilir visit: http://en.keilir.net or contact Arnbjorn Olafsson, Department Manager at Keilir Institute of Technology.