Washington DC (May 10, 2010) – Leading developers, researchers and policy makers
from the U.S. and abroad will convene on Friday, May 21, at The Ronald Reagan
Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C. for the Geothermal
Energy Association (GEA) Global Geothermal Showcase and Forum. A major highlight
for this year’s event will be the release of the GEA‘s Geothermal Energy:
International Market Update 2010, a comprehensive study detailing the state of
the geothermal industry around the world.
“The geothermal energy industry is a
key player in today's global market, and this is a very exciting time for
geothermal as we watch exponential growth throughout the industry,” said GEA
Executive Director Karl Gawell. “This conference explores how good business and
policy have driven the industry’s growth and how support for long-term and
robust funding of DOE's geothermal technologies program, as well as a 6-year
extension of geothermal tax credits, will continue that progress for years to
come.”
Slated for release at the conference, GEA’s Geothermal Energy:
International Market Update 2010 will offer an international context for
industry growth, will point to key players and policies in the global scene, and
will explore how the industry can continue on its current trajectory. Data
released during the recent World Geothermal Congress in Bali, Indonesia showed
the United States continues to lead the world in geothermal power production,
with over 3,000 MW produced; enough baseload energy to power 750,000 homes or a
city the size of Washington, D.C. GEA’s recent U.S. Geothermal Industry Update
showed 26% growth in U.S. geothermal development over 2009 and detailed the
growth of the industry across the country. Geothermal power was strong in
traditional states such as Nevada and California, but has begun pushing into new
areas including Texas and the Gulf Coast region.
The forum agenda features
discussions on the current state of U.S. and global geothermal markets,
showcases of projects under development in the U.S. and abroad, and trends in
the U.S. and global geothermal industry. Other topics to be covered include
national and international policies to support geothermal development, the
global potential for geothermal energy, and technology developments.
Organizations and companies will be on hand to discuss the latest in innovation.
Tabletop exhibitors include: U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Department of
Energy, Pratt & Whitney Power Systems, Potter Drilling, Energent Corporation and
Perma Works.
The Forum and Showcase is sponsored by Gold Level Sponsor Pratt &
Whitney Power Systems (PWPS). PWPS markets the PureCycle® system that can
harness heat in the form of hot water from many different sources such as
geothermal or oil & gas co-produced fluids, reciprocating engines, and
industrial waste heat to generate clean and reliable electricity. PWPS also
offers the international Turboden line of ORC products in the range from 400 kW
to about 2.2 MW for biomass and waste heat applications. PWPS provides
comprehensive maintenance, extended service contracts, and 24/7/365 remote
monitoring services.
“Advancing geothermal technology and establishing energy
policy that helps promote development of geothermal and other renewable power
projects is important as the United States looks for additional green sources of
energy,” Peter Christman, president of Pratt & Whitney Power Systems, said.
“That is why Pratt & Whitney Power Systems is happy to sponsor the Geothermal
Energy Association’s Global Geothermal Showcase and Forum.”
Scheduled speakers
include: Karl Gawell, Executive Director, Geothermal Energy Association; Charles
Baron, Geothermal Program Lead, Climate and Energy Team, Google.org; Toni Volpe,
President of Enel North America, James M. Kiiru, Commercial Attache, Embassy of
the Republic of Kenya, Magnus Gehringer, Senior Energy Specialist, The World
Bank, Chris Miller, Senior Advisor to Senator Harry Reid, and more.
For media
credentials, please contact Garret Drexler at 646-695-7042 or
garret@rosengrouppr.com.
For more information, including the draft agenda,
visit:
http://www.geoenergy. org/workshops/workshop_may21.aspx
About the Geothermal Energy Association:
The Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) is a
trade association composed of U.S. companies who support the expanded use of
geothermal energy and are developing geothermal resources worldwide for
electrical power generation and direct-heat uses. GEA advocates for public
policies that will promote the development and utilization of geothermal
resources, provides a forum for the industry to discuss issues and problems,
encourages research and development to improve geothermal technologies, presents
industry views to governmental organizations, provides assistance for the export
of geothermal goods and services, compiles statistical data about the geothermal
industry, and conducts education and outreach projects. For more information,
please visit
http://www.geo-energy.org. Check out GEA’s
YouTube Channel. Follow
GEA on Twitter. Become a fan on
Facebook.