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National News
Climate Change Science the Subject of Senate Panel Hearing Members of Congress Sign Letter Supporting Renewable Energy in Tax Reform Senate Could Take up Energy Efficiency Bill This Month DOE Report Considers Climate Change Threats on U.S. Energy Sector NATO Prioritizing RE as DoD Looks at Distributed Generation and Cooperation with BLM Global June Temperatures are Fifth Highest on Record
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State News
WGA 10-Year Energy Plan Supports Geothermal California: More Free Cap-and-Trade Allowances Proposed Massachusetts: Legislation would Extend State Incentives to Geothermal
International News
Asia & the Pacific Vanuatu: New Zealands Geothermal Guidance Sought Europe Germany: Taufkirchen Geothermal Plant to Begin Construction Iceland: More Info Needed for Potential Power Cable to Europe
Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) Announces Important Dates USTDA Accepting Project Proposals for Clean Energy Development in Southeast Asia (due July 31) Zayed Future Energy Prize Seeks Submissions (due Aug. 5) EOI Sought for Feasibility Study at Olkaria I (due Aug. 15) Reykjavik Energy Seeks a PhD Student for CO2-REACT (deadline Aug. 31) Women in Geothermal (WING) Sponsorship Opportunities Available GEA Honors Nominations are Open (due Sept. 6) 35th New Zealand Geothermal Workshop Happening in Rotorua, NZ (Nov. 18-20) West Va. Geothermal Start-up Seeks Experienced Individual to Join Management Team RFP for a Renewable Energy Project, Chugach Electric (rolling submissions thru March 31, 2014)
GEA Events
Geothermal Energy Expo 2013, Las Vegas, NV (Sept. 29-Oct. 2) GEA Chairing Geothermal Track at Renewable Energy World Conf. & Expo NA, Orlando (Nov. 12-14)
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National News
Climate Change Science the Subject of Senate Panel Hearing
The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee held a full committee hearing July 18 on climate change science titled Climate Change: Its Happening Now. Witnesses included climatologists, oceanographers, meteorologists, and economists expected to outline the current state of climate science.
Committee ranking member David Vitter (R-La.) criticized Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) for not inviting Obama administration officials to testify. Boxer responded she had hoped for a scientific discussion and that administration officials would be invited to a hearing later this fall. She said, Im trying to keep politics out of this first hearing and trying to focus in on nonpolitical people who a re scientists to give us an update on the science, Boxer was quoted. But we will look at political people in the next round.
The witnesses were: Dr. Heidi Cullen, Chief Climatologist, Climate Central; Mr. Frank Nutter, President, Reinsurance Association of America; Mr. KC Golden, Policy Director, Climate Solutions; Ms. Diana Furchtgott-Roth, Senior Fellow, Manhattan Institute for Policy Research; Dr. Robert P. Murphy, Senior Economist, Institute for Energy Research; Dr. Jennifer Francis, Research Professor, Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences, Rutgers University; Dr. Scott Doney, Director, Ocean and Climate Change Institute, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution; Dr. Margaret Leinin, Executive Director, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University; Dr. Roger Pielke, Jr., Professor, Center for Science and Technology Policy Research, University of Colorado; Dr. Roy Spencer, Principal Research Scientist IV, University of Alabama, Huntsville. Archived webcast available. Eenews.net; Epw.senate.gov; Eenews.net
As the Committee on Was and Means debates tax reform we urge your continued support for renewable energy. With an estimated 3.4 million green jobs in the U.S., which include renewable energy jobs, the industry needs policy certainty to continue to create jobs, grow domestic manufacturing, and produce sustainable, American-made energy.
The race to develop renewable energy is widely considered one of the most important areas of economic growth for the 21st century. According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance, investment worldwide in renewable energy totaled over $244 billion last year. While investment in a number of countries has increased in recent years, the United States saw a 34% decrease in renewable energy investment last year due to policy uncertainty. Maintaining policies in the tax code that promote investment in and deployment of renewable energy technologies will help ensure that the American consumer continues to benefit from renewable energy innovations while also reaping the benefits of a diverse energy economy.
Sources of renewable energy like wind, solar, biogass, geothermal, landfill gas, hydropower, and hydrokinetic energy are critical to Americas energy future. And renewable energy manufacturing, services and products apply the technological innovations that will continue to allow the industry to grow. In 2012, the wind energy industry grew by 28%, setting a new installation record and supporting 80,000 American jobs. Likewise, the U.S. solar market grew by 76% and supported 119,000 American jobs. We must work together to ensure that the United States leads the way. As you develop tax reform legislation, we urge you to include policies that promote Americas renewable energy economy.
The outages following Hurricane Sandy were a high-profile disruption on domestic energy supplies, but the DOE also considered less visible problems. In the last decade, three trends in extreme weather and climate have caused major disruptions: increasing air and water temperatures; decreasing water availability across regions and seasons; and increasing intensity and frequency of storms, flooding and sea level rise.
The report notes implications relevant to the geothermal industry. Increases in ambient air and water temperatures across the United States reduce thermal efficiencies of electricity generation from nuclear, coal, natural gas, concentrating solar power (CSP), bioenergy, and geothermal facilities, which can reduce available capacity and increase fuel consumption by power plants. Higher temperatures reduce the current carrying capacity and decrease the transmission efficiency of electricity lines. Finally, electricity demand for cooling increases when temperatures are higher, while demand for heating decreases.
Additionally, Increasing temperatures and changes in precipitation patterns will limit water availability in some seasons an d some regions of the United States, which will have implications for thermoelectric power generation, including coal, natural gas, nuclear, CSP, bioenergy, and geothermal facilities. Energy.gov; Wri.org
NATO Prioritizing RE as DoD Looks at Distributed Generation and Cooperation with BLM
Supporting renewables in defense operations, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) released a statement this week prioritizing the reduction of defense operations energy footprint. A growing dependence on oil and gas, the progressive exhaustion of fossil fuels, constant increases in the price of raw materials, threats to the security of energy supplies and concerns about the consequences of climate change make energy security a major issue, said the statement from NATO, representing 28 member countries. The Allies need to be mindful of the environmental consequences of military activities and minimize the logistical footprint of operations, NATO said.
The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) is seeking to increase development of distributed energy sources on its bases, and the geothermal industry hopes this will include geothermal. On-site energy generation could allow a military base to maintain critical operations offgrid for significant time periods if the grid is disrupted, as well as reduce the DoD energy bill. But as we noted in last weeks newsletter, the share of geothermal is dropping in DoDs portfolio from 74% of their renewable energy installations in 2011 to 49% just a year later.
The Department of Defense (DoD) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) have taken steps to increase inter-agency cooperation on renewable energy projects, and signed a memorandum of understanding last August to that effect. The two agencies only existing renewable energy project is the 270-MW geothermal plant at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, Calif. Ray Brady, manager of BLMs national renewable energy coordination office, told press that the August agreement only applies to the three pilot projects the two agencies are working on, which are not geothermal. He added if those are successful, the agreement could be expanded to future projects.
At China Lake, DoD and BLM sell surplus renewable energy to local utilities, splitting the proceeds. The geothermal plant has been in continuous operation since 1987 and is DoDs largest renewable energy project. Federaltimes.com; Ens-newswire.com; Geo-energy.org
Calpine found 11.4 MW of initial equivalent steam in three wells 50% more than early estimates and the company further estimates Caldwell Ranch could produce up to 45 MWe equivalent of steam. In terms of technology the project was successful in improving reservoir pressure and well productivity, lowering carbon dioxide concentrations by more than 65%, and utilizing combined data sources for 3-D modeling.
The project created 43 full-time temporary jobs and tax revenues to Sonoma County and the state of California. Calpine plans to release second quarter 2013 financial results on Thursday, July 25, 2013. Eere.energy.gov; Marketwatch.com
State News
WGA 10-Year Energy Plan Supports Geothermal
The Western Governors Association (WGA) released a 10-year energy plan, 10-YEAR ENERGY VISION, in June 2013. [The plan] gives us a pathway forward for success in this country, and were going to lead here in the West, WGA Chairman/Utah Gov. Gary Herbert was quoted. Herbert led the bipartisan plan which was signed by 19 state governors.
WGA outlines six goals for the coming ten years: achieving energy security, providing a variety of energy sources, increasing energy efficiency, improving infrastructure, protecting wildlife and the environment, and ensuring Western state leadership in energy education and innovation.
One of their recommendations is directly related to geothermal development: Restore financing for the geothermal exploration program financed by the Department of Energy, along with a sustained research program designed to achieve enhanced geothermal systems production. This is included as part of the goal to ensure energy is clean, affordable and reliable by providing a balanced portfolio of renewable, non-traditional and traditional resources, on page 9 of the plan.
Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger indicated greenhouse gas emissions discussion was lacking in the plan. Climate change is an i ssue, whether we like it or not. Its an issue that has to be addressed, he was quoted. The Salt Lake Tribune, E&E Publishing, 10-Year Energy Plan (PDF)
The nations largest carbon trading system held its second auction in February 2013, exceeding expectations at a price of 13.6 7 per metric ton of carbon, more than over a dollar of the expected value and raising about $84 million. In early May California released its three-year Investment Plan for allocating proceeds from the program through 2016. The plan looks to fund clean vehicles, energy efficiency, renewable power, resource conservation and waste diversion. Eenews.net; Geo-energy.org; Geo-energy.org
International News
Asia & the Pacific
Vanuatu: New Zealands Geothermal Guidance Sought
Vanuatus Energy Minister Thomas Laken and a delegation were set to visit New Zealand this week seeking expertise from Waikat o Regional Council as Vanuatu considers its own geothermal energy potential. Principal policy advisor Blair Dickie was quoted in press: We can help them with advice on how to develop robust policy that helps give developers certainty whilst ensuring that appropriate environmental safeguards are in place . . . Getting things right will help contribute to improving living standards in Vanuatu while at the same time reducing carbon dioxide emissions from using diesel and protecting the environment generally in what is a significant tourist destination. Geothermal energy fields developed within the Waikato, New Zealand region include Wairakei, Rotokawa, Mokai, Ohaaki and Ngatamariki. Waikatoregion.govt.nz
Europe
Germany: Taufkirchen Geothermal Plant to Begin Construction
On July 10, the government of Upper Bavaria in coordination with the district office in Munich confirmed privilege to begin construction on a geothermal power plant in Taufkirchen. The project is planned by Daldrup & Shne AG. Purchase agreements for heat have been closed with the communities of Oberhaching Taufkirchen for 20 MW after completion of the power plant. Dgap.de
The USAID/GEA East Africa Geothermal Partnership Program (EAGP) is seeking to help the African utility company to identify companies interested in being short listed for the planned RFP. Interested potential bidders should contact Steve Hirsch (shirsch@usea.org), Program Director of EAGP, for further information, specs and pictures of replacement parts on the list.
First Annual Best Student Geologic Map Competition, USGS (deadline Sept. 6)
The US Geological Survey (USGS) National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (NCGMP) in partnership with The Geological Society of America (GSA), GSA Foundation, Association of American State Geologists (AASG), American Geosciences Institute (AGI), American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG), and the Journal of Maps invite students to participate in the first Best Student Geologic Map competition, at the GSA Annual Meeting in Denver, Colorado, in celebratio n of GSAs 125th Anniversary and the 125th year of geologic mapping.
The competition will highlight student research from around the world that utilizes field mapping and the creation of geologic maps as a major component. The First place student will receive the honor of constructing the Best Student Geologic Map for that year, a Certificate of Recognition signed by the partner organizations, and a Brunton Compass contributed by the AASG. The students name will al so be added to a Best Student Geologic Map plaque that will be posted at USGS Headquarters in Reston, Virginia. The first place map will also receive a limited run in the Journal of Maps.
Students: email your request for submission to the competition to mmarketti@usgs.gov at the U.S. Geological Survey. Deadline is September 6, 2013. For more information visit Community.geosociety.org
Savannah US Army Corps of Engineers Seeks Rig, Tooling for Geothermal Work (respond by Sept. 30)
The Savannah District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers intends to issue a Request for Quote (RFQ) for a firm fixed price contract to supply and deliver a Sonic Drill Rig and Various Tooling to Savannah Georgia. The requirement for this anticipated contract is to furnish and deliver complete and ready for operation one (1) Sonic Drilling Rig with Various Tooling. The items shall be used for rock and soil sampling, foundation testing, monitoring well installation, geothermal and subsurface exploration work. Response Date: September 30, 2013. Information at Fbo.gov.
Featured Notices
National Geothermal Academy Returns to Univ. Nevada-Reno (July 8 thru Aug. 2)
Submitted by NGA The 2013 National Geothermal Academys four week intensive summer course is returning to the University of Nevada, Reno this summer. The July 8-August 2, 2013 program is offered for 3 credits at either the undergraduate or graduate level. Instructors this year include Jeff Tester, Michal Moore, Mark Demuth, John McKinsey, Joe Moore, Dave Blackwell, Louis Capuano III, Louis Capuano Jr, Bill Livesay, Roland Horne, Ronald DiPippo, Brian Anderson, Toni Boyd, and John Lund. Visit Gbcge.org; email, geothermal@unr.edu.
USTDA Accepting Project Proposals for Clean Energy Development in Southeast Asia (due July 31)
Submitted by USTDA In order to support the U.S.-Asia-Pacific Comprehensive Energy Partnership, USTDAs programs are available to foreign project sponsors for energy project development and preparation activities. USTDA will be expanding investments in sustainable energy projects such as renewable power generation, power grid modernization including smart grid, and unconventional gas development. If you are a U.S. company working with a foreign project sponsor in Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, or Thailand and would like your project to be considered for USTDA funding, we encourage you to contact us and submit your project concept by July 31, 2013. To learn more about the Agencys project development program, visit: http://www.ustda.gov/proposals. 9
The U.S.-Asia-Pacific Comprehensive Energy Partnership is a partnership among the U.S. Government, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) that aims to address one of the most significant impediments to economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region: the lack of access to reliable energy and power resources. Not only is reliable access to energy essential for improving livelihoods, it is vital to sustaining growth in the rapidly emerging Asian economies.
With an estimated $9 trillion needed in investment in electricity alone through 2035 to meet growing demand, there is enormous potential for U.S. goods and services to play an important role in securing the regions energy future. USTDA stands ready to support U.S. industrys involvement in these critical infrastructure projects.
USTDA has supported sustainable energy infrastructure development in Southeast Asia for over 20 years. Through grant assistance to foreign project sponsors, USTDA supports early project planning activities such as feasibility studies, technical assistance, and pilot projects that move clean energy projects towards financing and implementation. Contact USTDA for more information: USTDA Headquarters (703) 875-4357 // USTDA in Bangkok +66 (2) 205-5262 // usacep@ustda.gov; Henry Steingass Regional Director for South and Southeast Asia; Mark Dunn Regional Manager for Asia, Bangkok Office; Pinsuda Alexander Country Manager for Southeast Asia. See also Ustda.gov
In order to be-shortlisted the interested bidders must have as a minimum: i) A track record of relevant experience on geothermal power plants including steam gathering and HV Substations & Transmission systems, including knowledge of Geothermal Power Plant operations and maintenance of the same; ii) Undertaken at least two Feasibility study of a geothermal power plant during the last 15 years; iii) At least 15 years experience in the design and engineering of geothermal power plants and their associated steam field
The EOI (1 Original and 3 copies) will be due by 1400 hours (Kenya time) on Thursday, 15th August, 2013. Contact: Capital Planning & Strategy Manager, Kenya Electricity Generating Company Limited, Stima Plaza III, Kolobot Road, Parklands, P.O. Box 47936 00100, 10
Nairobi, Kenya. Tel: +254-20-3666427 Fax: +254-20-2248848 Email: enjenga@kengen.co.ke CC fmakhanu@kengen.co.ke; imaina@kengen.co.ke; ckiara@kengen.co.ke; gmuchemi@kengen.co.ke; pkimemia@kengen,co.ke; jnjuguna@kengen.co.ke
Reykjavik Energy Seeks a PhD Student for CO2-REACT (deadline Aug. 31)
Reykjavik Energy is working towards reducing gas emissions from the Hellisheidi geothermal power plant. Pilot scale CO2-H2S capture and sequestration has already been carried out at the Hellisheidi geothermal power plant and plans call for up-scaled CCS activities in 2014. OR plans to hire a Ph.D. student to develop reactive transport models of the up-scaled injection activities at Hellisheidi. Funding for the student will be provided by the CO2-REACT project. For more information please contact: Edda Sif Aradottir at edda.sif.aradottir@or.is or Einar Gunnlaugsson at einar.gunnlaugsson@or.is. Application deadline is August 31st, 2013.
Last years winners included Enel Green Power North America (Technological Advancement) for its development of the first ever solargeothermal hybrid power plant; Ram Power/Polaris Energia (Economic Development) for adding 10% of clean, sustainable, reliable and indigenous power to Nicaraguas current power portfolio; and Ormat Technologies, Inc. (Environmental Stewardship) for preserving the overall environmental integrity and the habitat of the sage grouse, a native bird to the Nevada area. The GEA Honors program deadline for nominations is September 6. For more information or to submit a nomination, please visit Geo-energy.org.
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West Va. Geothermal Start-up Seeks Experienced Individual to Join Management Team
Submitted by William Feimster A start-up geothermal power company for West Virginia called Appalachian Geothermal Energy seeks someone experienced in Geothermal Energy Projects and power plant operations to become a member of the management team. The company is in the process of procuring start-up funding. Interested individuals/companies can reply to William Feimster, Appalachian Geothermal Energy, by e-mail:WFEIMS01@rams.shepherd.edu
RFP for a Renewable Energy Project, Chugach Electric (rolling submissions thru March 31, 2014)
Submitted by Chugach Electric Association Chugach Electric Association, Inc. is soliciting competitive proposals for renewable and zerocarbon energy sources. Some of Chugach Electrics key details of the RFP: Eligible projects will range in size from 5 to 50 MW and rely upon renewable or zero emission fuels or energy sources for electricity production. Chugach is soliciting renewable energy resources that comply with the Green-e Energy National Standard 2.0 currently wind, solar, geothermal, certain types of hydropower, certain biomass, biodiesel and fuel cells powered by renewable fuel (Green-e.org). This RFP is open to submittals at any time during the rolling review process, which is initially intended to run from April 1, 2013 through March 31, 2014. The rolling submission deadlines are: June 30, 2013; September 30, 2013; December 30, 2013; and March 31, 2014. Chugach will review projects submitted before each Submission Deadline prior to the next Submission Deadline. Bidders must indicate their interest and establish themselves on Chugachs Renewable RFP 2013 List by completing the Expression of Interest form (Appendix B of the RFP) which should be sent via e -mail to ron_vecera@chugachelectric.com. The subject line should read, (company name) intends to propose RFP 13-05.
GEA Events
Your company has the opportunity for high visibility at GEAs events. In addition to providing the financial support needed for GEA to undertake successful events, sponsors garner extensive coverage through media availabilities in mainstream press outlets. Why Should You Attend GEA Events? As the national trade association for the geothermal industry, the Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) creates and delivers educational events involving the full range of the geothermal industry, reflecting the dynamic growth of the geothermal market, and communicating the benefits of geothermal energy. GEA events provide important opportunities to learn and network within the geothermal community as well as inform and educate companies and organizations outside today s industry that are interested in learning more. The revenue generated from GEA events is used to advance the goal to expand the production and use of geothe rmal energy in the U.S. and around the world through future events, PR and outreach efforts, po licy related activities and analysis, internet publications, and other initiatives designed to help achieve this goal. Only GEA puts your dollars to work in all of these ways to advance the future of the geothermal energy industry. GEA does not sell your email or postal address to junk mailers or spammers.
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GEA Chairing Geothermal Track at Renewable Energy World Conf. & Expo NA, Orlando (Nov. 12-14)
The Renewable Energy World Conference & Expo North America 2013 is co-located with Power-Gen International this November 12-14 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. The Geothermal Energy Association sits on the planning committee and will be chairing the geothermal sessions:
Geothermal Track 1 (Technical Paper Session) Tuesday, Nov 12 1:30-3:30pm Session Title: Geothermal Technology and Its Evolving Applications -- Although geothermal technology is well established, there are a number of new advancements that have extended applicability and increased efficiency. This session will explore some of those new advancements and the exciting new areas where advanced technologies are being applied.
Geothermal Track 2 (Panel Discussion) Wednesday Nov 13 9:30-11:30am Session Title: Extending Geothermal's Reach to Exciting Global Opportunities -- While the U.S. market is still growing at a steady pace, international markets are exploding and ripe with new opportunities. Recent reports show an estimated 18.6 GW of geothermal power currently in development across 70 countries accounting for $100 billion in investment, and much of this development is spearheaded by U.S. companies. This session will cover developing regions with opportunities to expand business overseas.
Geothermal Track 3 (Panel Discussion) Wednesday, Nov 13 1:30-3:30pm Session Title: Geothermal and Oil/ Gas Industries: Areas for Mutual Benefit -- The use of oil and gas fields for electrical development has been rigorously discussed for years, but rarely acted upon. The application of geothermal co-production and geo-pressured hybrid technologies, including waste-to-heat power, is increasingly being transferred to the oil and gas industry and has been shown to reduce costs, CO2 emissions and more. Meanwhile geothermal projects are also using more oil and gas technologies to enhance their production through EGS (enhanced geothermal systems). This session covers mutual benefits to both industries.
Scheduling, confirmed participants, registration, exhibiting, networking opportunities and more at Renewableenergyworld-events.com.
GEOTHERMAL ENERGY WEEKLY A newsletter for the geothermal industry, by Leslie Blodgett and Karl Gawell www.geo-energy.org 202 454 5241 leslie@geo-energy.org 2013 Geothermal Energy Association
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