News
Jan 29, 2009North Shore News: “Geothermal technology at work in Lynn Valley”
A geothermal success story featuring CanGEA past Chairman Mory Ghomshei
Ghomshei is the mastermind behind a low-grade geothermal system at the Lynn Valley Care Centre—a reincarnation of the former Lynn Valley Lodge. With nearly 200 residents at the seniors’ facility, the system has contributed to a significant reduction in the centre’s carbon footprint.
To read the full article: Click here.
Jan 29, 2009
CanGEA supports our geothermal friends
CanGEA would like to say we are thinking of all of our geothermal friends in these current economic times, especially Glitnir Bank. Glitnir is a CanGEA corporate member from Iceland facing difficulties in 2009. CanGEA issues its continued support to Glitnir and everyone involved in geothermal and renewable energy worldwide!
Jan 27, 2009
CanGEA Welcomes New Executive Assistant
CanGEA would like to welcome Gordon Foo as their Executive Assistant and the newest member of the CanGEA team! Gordon recently graduated from Queen’s University with a degree in Geological Engineering, and his interest in geothermal power research and advancement will be of great value to CanGEA’s members. You may read Gordon’s biography by clicking here. He can be reached through info[at]cangea.ca.
Jan 25, 2009
CanGEA and Highgrade Acreage
CanGEA has recently worked to secure a document with innovative ways to highgrade acreage. The document is now available to all CanGEA corporate members! Please email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) for more details.
Jan 24, 2009
ElectraTherm Green Machine a Top Innovation
News from ElectraTherm, Inc.
On November 12, ElectraTherm, Inc., announced the editors of Popular Science have named the EletraTherm Green Machine one of the top technology innovations of 2008. As a winner in the category, Best of What’s New Award in the Green Tech, the ElectraTherm Green Machine stands out as the first commercially viable generator to make electricity from low-temperature, residual-industrial heat – that until now has gone to waste. The company writes that, “Using patented heat and pressure recovery technology, ElectraTherm employs its proprietary twin-screw expander to generate fuel-free, emissions-free electricity at the lowest operating costs and fastest paybacks in the industry. Texas distributor Gulf Coast Green Energy installed the first commercial 50 kW ElectraTherm Green Machine this summer at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. The machine has exceeded its output rating by 20%.
Jan 23, 2009
Western GeoPower: Obama’s Economic Stimulus Plan – How will it benefit us?
A message from CanGEA corporate member Western GeoPower.
Western GeoPower – Obama’s Economic Stimulus Plan – How will it benefit us?
We are very pleased to note the proposed extension of the U.S. Production Tax Credit announced as part of President Barack Obama’s plan to double alternative energy production over the next three years – a key component of his over-all economic stimulus plan.
The Production Tax Credit provides direct support to Western GeoPower’s Unit 1 geothermal project at The Geysers Field in California, now at the halfway point of our drilling program that will see a 35 MWe plant in production in 2010.
We particularly welcome the proposal to give developers the option of taking the credit in the form of a grant. This would give us more flexibility when arranging project financing. We also will be looking at the potential benefits to us of the proposed “bonus depreciation” for new plant and equipment, and the doubling of writeoffs for capital investment.
Based on a production start date in 2010 for Unit 1, the Production Tax Credit would equate to an incentive of US$21.40 per MWh, escalating at 2% per annum. Assuming we realize our expected generation capacity of an average of 280 GWh per year during the first ten years, this results in a credit of approximately US$60 million, a very substantial benefit.
A three-year extension of PTC eligibility also opens up the possibility that we can apply the credit both to a expansion of the Unit 1’s generation capacity on our existing leases and to other projects currently being assessed in the United States.
Aside from the immediate tax benefits to our company, President Obama’s plan to invest US$150 billion to develop alternative energy resources puts renewables, including geothermal resources, firmly in the spotlight of investor interest both in the U.S. and internationally. In short, a timely matchup with Western GeoPower’s business development strategy.
Sincerely,
Kenneth MacLeod, President and CEO
Jan 21, 2009
Yukon Energy Searches Geothermal Potential
Two companies and the City of Whitehorse have signed on as partners to research the Yukon’s geothermal potential, according to cbc.ca. Yukon Energy Corp. will spend about $285,000 this year and $125,000 will come from the Yukon Cold Climate Innovation Centre.
The research will use remote sensing satellite imagery and infrared thermal sensors to locate geothermal sites, the article said. There could be up to 1,500 MW of potential geothermal energy, Yukon Energy president David Morrison told press. Drilling may begin this summer.
See http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2009/01/12/yukon-geothermal.html
Jan 15, 2009
The Salt Lake Tribute: “S.L. County, state to join geothermal effort”
Salt Lake County and the state are participating in the effort by Salt Lake City to investigate the possibility of developing a geothermal power plant, officials said Thursday.
A development team led by the Provo-based Raser Technologies intends to evaluate several potential plant sites in the Salt Lake valley, including the Wasatch Warms Springs area near downtown.
Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker; Jason Perry, executive director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development; and representatives from Raser Technologies announced the project at a press conference on Thursday afternoon.
To read the full article: Click here
Jan 15, 2009
Master’s Degree Programs in Renewable Energy Available in U.S. and Europe
Four Universities in Ohio will collaborate to offer a Master’s degree program in renewable energy, according to renewableenergyworld.com. The University of Dayton, Wright State University, Central State University, and the Air Force Institute of Technology will start the two-year program designed to develop more engineers and address economical energy needs. Classes will focus on development of energy-reducing design techniques, renewable energy and manufacturing systems, as well as better forms of solar energy, fuel cells and biofuels.
“Ohio is in the midst of major job losses and is trying to reinvent itself as a tech-based economy. One of those ways is in the area of ’green’ jobs,” said Kevin Hallinan, director of the University of Dayton’s master’s program in clean and renewable energy.
In Iceland, the School for Renewable Energy Science, in partnership with the University of Iceland, the University of Akureyri, and technical Universities around the globe, offers a one-year Master’s degree program in renewable energy science and technology. In the 2008 program, students focused on geothermal, fuel cell systems and hydrogen, or biofuels and bioenergy. In 2009, hydropower and energy systems/policies will be added.
The European Renewable Energy Research Centres (EUREC) Agency offers a European Master in Renewable Energy degree. Master’s degrees in renewable energy are also offered in European Universities: University of Dundee in Scottland, The University of Nottingham in England, The University of Ulster in Northern Ireland, as well as The University of Jyväskylä in Finland.
For more information see: http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=54212.
Jan 14, 2009
CommodityOnline.com: Geothermal Power is Clean Energy
The following article posted on commodityonline.com provides an interview with John McIlveen, a securities analyst, specializing in renewable power who has recently joined Jacob & Company. He answers questions about the benefits of geothermal power, where geothermal is heading, and how it compares to other energy sources, as well as investment opportunities.
To read the full article: Click here