News
Jan 24, 2008GLOBE-net News: “Geothermal: The dark horse of renewable energy”
The following article from GLOBE-net news, a news source dedicated to focusing on the business opportunities of the environmental sector, details the facts about geothermal energy, the capacity for long term energy growth, and the industries significance in Canada. GLOBE-net news sees geothermal energy as a practical solution to both the energy crisis in the United States as well as a solution to reduce energy costs associated with space heating in Northern areas. Alison Thompson, CanGEA Vice President, is featured in the article dealing with geothermal energy in Canada.
VANCOUVER, January 23, 2008 (GLOBE-Net) - Geothermal energy is clean, quiet, virtually inexhaustible and able meet the world’s annual electricity and heating needs many times over with little impact on the climate or the environment. In many jurisdictions, geothermal energy is emerging as a reliable and affordable alternative to fossil fuels. This fourth article in the GLOBE-Net series on renewable energy discusses the dark horse of renewables.
To read the full article:
GLOBE-net News: “Geothermal: The dark horse of renewable energy”
Jan 17, 2008
Financial Times: “Geothermal may be the hottest game in town”
Financial Times writer David Stevenson investigates the potential for investment in geothermal energy in a post-carbon tax world. He makes note that geothermal energy is a smart investment for a company or venture capitalist looking to get into the alternative energy game. The investment advantage is due to the simplicity of geothermal energy, the availability of the resource, and the economic feasibility of harnessing the resource.
If I were a green investor looking for the next big thing (or a venture capitalist looking to develop tomorrow’s carbon-tax-subsidised, green infrastructure play), I’d be looking at the small but growing army of geothermal companies prospecting for heat along the ring of fire that spans the globe.
To read the full article:
Geothermal may be the hottest game in town
Jan 17, 2008
CanGEA Press Release: Canadian Geothermal Industry Tightens Cooperation
Canadian Geothermal Industry Tightens Cooperation
Canadian GeoExchange Coalition (CGC) and Canadian Geothermal Energy Association (CanGEA) Sign Cooperation Memorandum.
Calgary, December 10, 2007 –The Canadian GeoExchange Coalition (CGC) and the Canadian Geothermal Energy Association (CanGEA) announced today the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at promoting active cooperation in the field of geothermal energy and geothermal heat pump technology. The associations play complementary roles and together represent the entire spectrum of geothermal applications - including low temperature heat pumps, medium temperature direct use and high temperature electricity generation.
The growth for geothermal electric power has been approximately three percent yearly over the past ten years with an average of 250 MWe of capacity added each year. “In Canada, where geothermal electric power potential exists but no projects are operating”, Alison Thompson, Vice President of CanGEA comments “it can be confidently said that we have yet to even begin to tap our nation’s economic and environmental potential of geothermal energy.”
In contrast, the geothermal heat pump market has expanded at a rate close to 40 % annually over each of the past three years. “We are now entering a consolidation phase of our industry with the implementation of key market infrastructure tools such as training and accreditation to help sustain the expected growth,” said Denis Tanguay, CGC President & CEO. “As the geoexchange industry grows, new technologies and applications are emerging. Sharing key information between the low, medium and high temperature stakeholders will help us promote the overall use of geothermal energy in Canada,” he added.
“It is because of this significant growth potential in the geothermal industry and the impressive environmental characteristics of these projects, that CanGEA warmly welcomes the co-operation of CGC and CanGEA working together to bring Canadians a renewable, reliable and responsible form of energy,” added Alison Thompson.
Cooperation will be encouraged in a number of areas including exchange of information, development of business opportunities, joint initiatives such as R&D and market response projects and general geothermal energy and geothermal heat pump technology cooperation. Recently, CGC and CanGEA made joint representation to the Federal Government asking for the restoration of geothermal funding for the Geological Survey of Canada.
The Canadian Geothermal Energy Association (CanGEA) is an organisation of industry (geothermal & oil and gas) and academic representatives involved in advocating rapid development of geothermal projects in Canada and educating about Canada’s geothermal energy resources. For more information, visit http://www.cangea.ca
The Canadian GeoExchange™ Coalition acts as the industry catalyst to unite private and public sector stakeholders, and to expand the market for ground source heat pumps and geoexchange™ technology in Canada. As the nexus of information, training, certification, standards and public awareness, our mandate is to work with stakeholders to build the necessary infrastructure to foster the growth of the Canadian geoexchange™ industry. For more information, visit http://www.geo-exchange.ca
For inquiries, please contact:
At CGC: Ted Kantrowitz, (514) 807-7559, extension 34
At CanGEA: Craig Dunn, (403) 461-8802
Jan 16, 2008
The Economist: “If geothermal energy is to take off, it will have to work outside of volcanic areas”
This article from The Economist looks into geothermal energy in places not in volcanic areas. Specifically, the article focuses on overcoming technical challenges associated with harnessing geothermal energy in Gross Schönebeck, Germany, an area that is geologically passive.
IN THE world of environmental activism, there is a good rule of thumb. If an energy source comes out of the ground it is probably bad (think coal, oil, natural gas and, in the view of many, uranium). If it does not, then it is probably good (think wind, waves, solar and biofuels). But there is an exception. Even the most hair-shirted environmentalist finds it hard to argue against geothermal energy. When what comes out of the ground is merely hot water or steam there is, as it were, little to get steamed up about.
The problem is that traditional geothermal power relies on volcanism. Fine if you live in Iceland or New Zealand. Not so good in a geologically passive place such as Germany. Which is why Wulf Brandt, of the National Research Centre of Geosciences in Potsdam, has dug a deep hole in the ground at Gross Schönebeck, near Berlin.
To read the rest of the article:
If geothermal energy is to take off, it will have to work outside volcanic areas
Jan 15, 2008
Sierra Geothermal Power and Nevada Geothermal Power Amend Pumpernickel Property Option Agreement
SIERRA GEOTHERMAL POWER AND NEVADA GEOTHERMAL POWER AMEND PUMPERNICKEL PROPERTY OPTION AGREEMENT
Vancouver, British Columbia - Sierra Geothermal Power Corp (SGP); (TSX-V: SRA), is pleased to announce that on December 12, 2007 it signed an amendment to its option agreement with Nevada Geothermal Power Inc (NGP) to revise the earn-in schedule for the Pumpernickel geothermal property. The original option agreement was entered into on October 12, 2004 and amended on February 14, 2006. To date, SGP has issued 400,000 shares of stock and forwarded C$1,000,000 to Nevada Geothermal for the Pumpernickel property.
In order to complete the earn-in schedule and acquire a 50% interest in the Pumpernickel property, SGP is required to make remaining cash payments and to issue stock as follows: (a) pay NGP $70,000, (b) incur exploration and development expenditures totaling C$4,000,000 and (c) issue 200,000 common shares of SGP to NGP by December 15, 2008.
The Pumpernickel Property is operated by NGP and is located in Humboldt County, Nevada. Previous work on the Pumpernickel Project has produced reservoir temperature estimates from 150°C (302°F) to 218°C (424°F). Future work will include temperature gradient wells, a full size production test well, transmission studies and feasibility studies. The Pumpernickel site is estimated to contain a 20 – 30 megawatt resource. Thirty megawatts can provide enough electricity to power 24,000 homes.
To read the entire article:
Sierra Geothermal Power and Nevada Geothermal Power Amend Pumpernickel Property Option Agreement
Jan 15, 2008
U.S. Geothermal Energy Association: “Geothermal Energy Set to Double Across Western States”
WASHINGTON, DC, January 14, 2008 (ENS) - The amount of new geothermal power now under development in the United States will roughly double U.S. geothermal capacity, according to a survey that will be released Wednesday by the Geothermal Energy Association, GEA.
These projects, when developed, will provide up to 3,368 megawatts of new electric power capacity for the grid, more than doubling U.S. geothermal power capacity from 2,936 MW to almost 6,304 MW - enough to meet the needs of six million households.
Geothermal power is energy generated by heat stored beneath the Earth’s surface. New projects are underway in Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
To read the entire article:
Geothermal Energy Set to Double Across Western States
Jan 14, 2008
New Graduate School Focusing on Geothermal Energy
Reykjavik Energy Graduate School of Sustainable Systems (REYST) was officially launched December 3rd 2007 at Reykjavik Energy headquarters in Reykjavik, Iceland.
Sustainable use of energy resources is the basis for future economic growth and well being. To promote research and organized education in this field, Reykjavik Energy, in collaboration with Reykjavik University and the University of Iceland, has founded REYST – an interdisciplinary school in higher education for engineers and scientists in order to create leading experts in management, design and research in the field of sustainable energy.
REYST offers an international graduate program based on the three pillars of engineering, earth science and business. The program is characterized by its focus on sustainable energy use, especially geothermal energy, practical experience in the field and ready access to on-site work with experts on various subjects. The international graduate program is open for students holding a BS degree in engineering, earth sciences and business.
REYST is located in Reykjavik, Iceland and the language of instruction is English. An 18-months MSc programme will start in August 2008 and deadline for application is March 15th.
Further information is available at http://www.reyst.is.