OilPrice.com | Alternative Energy | Geothermal Energy

OilPrice.com | Alternative Energy | Geothermal Energy News and analysis on geothermal industry developments and investment opportunities within the geothermal sector http://oilprice.com/ Fri, 10 Feb 2012 7:21:33 GMT Oilprice.com (info@oilprice.com) Geothermal's Potential as a Serious Energy Source http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Geothermal-Energy/Geothermals-Potential-As-A-Serious-Energy-Source.html The Earth started its existence as a red-hot rock, and has been cooling ever since. It’s still quite toasty in the core, and will remain so for billions of years, yet. Cooling implies a flow of heat, and where heat flows, the possibility exists of capturing useful energy. Geysers and volcanoes are obvious manifestations of geothermal energy, but what role can it play toward satisfying our current global demand? Following the recent theme of Do the Math, we will put geothermal in one of three boxes labeled abundant, potent, or niche (puny). Have…

]]> murphyt@oilprice.com (Tom Murphy) Mon, 16 Jan 2012 13:36:04 GMT http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Geothermal-Energy/Geothermals-Potential-As-A-Serious-Energy-Source.html Kenya to Investigate Potential of Geothermal Power http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Geothermal-Energy/Kenya-To-Investigate-Potential-Of-Geothermal-Power.html Kenya, plagued by electricity shortages like many of its East African neighbors, has awarded Japan’s Toyota Tsusho Corp. and South Korea’s Hyundai Engineering Co. contracts to build $420 million in new geothermal plants. The contracts for the Olkaria I and Olkaria IV geothermal power plants represent Kenya's largest ever geothermal plant project and are Toshiba's first African contracts for supplying geothermal power equipment. The contracts further strengthen Japan's role in developing Kenya's geothermal power generation capacity. Toshiba…

]]> admin@namecake.com (John Daly) Mon, 14 Nov 2011 13:46:25 GMT http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Geothermal-Energy/Kenya-To-Investigate-Potential-Of-Geothermal-Power.html Indonesia’s Geothermal Potential Being Hamstrung by Regional Politics http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Geothermal-Energy/Indonesias-Geothermal-Potential-Being-Hamstrung-By-Regional-Politics.html Indonesia has the potential to become the world's biggest geothermal energy leader, so long as investment is pursued. Indonesia's geothermal energy is literally bursting from the ground, with the world's highest number of volcanic hot spots. Unfortunately, Southeast Asian politics and a lack of foreign investment is bogging down the great potential of the country's clean energy market. With plans to add as much as 9,000 MW of installed capacity by 2025, the industry will need to attract investors. "The tenders are out there, they just need the…

Read more...

]]> energydigital@oilprice.com (Energy Digital) Tue, 08 Nov 2011 13:26:51 GMT http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Geothermal-Energy/Indonesias-Geothermal-Potential-Being-Hamstrung-By-Regional-Politics.html Chile Investigates Geothermal Power http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Geothermal-Energy/Chile-Investigates-Geothermal-Power.html Aside from cost constraints, perhaps the biggest hurdle facing nations seeking to embrace renewable energy is its unpredictability. Re solar, the sun goes down. Plant your biofuels patch and drought could wipe out an entire crop. And the wind is variable. Two seemingly constant natural cycles are tidal power and geothermal energy – if either decline, then major potential environmental changes could dwarf all other considerations. Chile is investigating its geothermal options as an expensive but long-term bet to diversify its energy sources. Santiago’s…

]]> admin@namecake.com (John Daly) Fri, 28 Oct 2011 12:37:14 GMT http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Geothermal-Energy/Chile-Investigates-Geothermal-Power.html U.S. Geothermal Industry Could be Given a Boost by Congress http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Geothermal-Energy/U.S.-Geothermal-Industry-Could-Be-Given-A-Boost-By-Congress.html With Washington finalizing a last minute debt deal to avoid a default, some are preparing for what’s next. Frankly, the poorly pieced together debt deal will do little more than delay a default, in the meantime, both the public and private sectors will need to scramble to figure out how to kickstart the economy. One popular belief is that renewed investment in energy infrastructure development—particularly in renewables—could help create jobs and spur economic growth. In light of this, two new bills are making…

]]> energydigital@oilprice.com (Energy Digital) Wed, 03 Aug 2011 13:33:03 GMT http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Geothermal-Energy/U.S.-Geothermal-Industry-Could-Be-Given-A-Boost-By-Congress.html Researchers Develop a More Efficient Approach to Extracting Geothermal Energy http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Geothermal-Energy/Researchers-Develop-A-More-Efficient-Approach-To-Extracting-Geothermal-Energy.html Researchers from the University of Minnesota’s Department of Earth Sciences have developed an approach to extracting geothermal energy more efficiently while reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide at the same time. The new approach, which the researchers call carbon dioxide-plume geothermal system or C.P.G., uses high-pressure carbon dioxide to produce power from the Earth’s heat. In conventional geothermal power technology, water is used to tap into the Earth’s heat. Hot water or steam is extracted from underground rock formations…

Read more...

]]> ecoseed@oilprice.com (EcoSeed ) Fri, 10 Jun 2011 12:18:33 GMT http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Geothermal-Energy/Researchers-Develop-A-More-Efficient-Approach-To-Extracting-Geothermal-Energy.html Geothermal Station that Generates Energy from People to be Opened in 2012 http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Geothermal-Energy/Geothermal-Station-That-Generates-Energy-From-People-To-Be-Opened-In-2012.html The glow of many a hot and bothered commuter will be harnessed for local heating in Stockholm and Paris. Swedish realtor Jernhusen is investing SEK 1 billion in the regeneration of Stockholm Central Station, including an innovative geothermal system to capture and channel the body heat of its 250,000 daily commuters. Heat exchangers in the ventilation system will convert surplus low-grade body heat into hot water, which will then be pumped to heat office space in the nearby Kungsbrohuset building, also owned by Jernhusen. The plans, due for completion…

]]> futuresgr@oilprice.com (Green Futures) Thu, 12 May 2011 3:09:12 GMT http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Geothermal-Energy/Geothermal-Station-That-Generates-Energy-From-People-To-Be-Opened-In-2012.html The Coming Geothermal Energy Boom http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Geothermal-Energy/The-Coming-Geothermal-Energy-Boom.html According to a report released last week by Pike Research we’ll see a significant increase in the use of geothermal as an energy source between now and 2020. The Pike Research analyst constructed several scenarios based on an estimated 10.7 gigawatts of geothermal capacity in existence throughout the world in 2010. The U.S., the world’s leading user currently possesses 3.1 gigawatts of installed geothermal systems compared to the 10.7 added gigawatts of new resources. Pike’s research shows 88 percent of the world’s geothermal energy systems…

]]> james@pokemoncard.info (Brian Westenhaus) Mon, 21 Mar 2011 16:23:53 GMT http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Geothermal-Energy/The-Coming-Geothermal-Energy-Boom.html Incredible Geothermal Energy Potential in the United States http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Geothermal-Energy/Incredible-Geothermal-Energy-Potential-In-The-United-States-.html USGS estimates 500,000 MWe of EGS geothermal resource potential lies beneath the western United States. This is approximately half of the current installed electric power generating capacity in the United States. _EERE PDF The US could be producing 32 million times more geothermal electrical power than it does at present. The U.S. produces more than 100,000 gigawatt-hours per year of geothermal electricity already, but it could produce as much as 3.2 trillion gigawatt-hours. ...the Earth's heat never stops—meaning a geothermal power plant…

Read more...

]]> thyu@oilprice.com (Al Fin) Thu, 17 Feb 2011 13:50:43 GMT http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Geothermal-Energy/Incredible-Geothermal-Energy-Potential-In-The-United-States-.html Financiers Bullish on Geothermal, But Industry Must Address Drilling Risks http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Geothermal-Energy/Financiers-Bullish-On-Geothermal-But-Industry-Must-Address-Drilling-Risks.html Renewable energy financiers are bullish on the geothermal sector, but resource and drilling risks still make them skittish. Total investment in the clean energy sector reached a record $243 billion in 2010, but only $1.8 billion, or 0.76%, was directed at the geothermal sector, Mark Taylor, head of the finance team at Bloomberg New Energy Finance, told attendees of the Geothermal Energy Finance Forum in New York on Wednesday. The US geothermal sector will need $29 billion in financing over the next six years, said Arni Magnusson, executive director…

]]> ruyi@oilprice.com (Gloria Gonzalez) Tue, 15 Feb 2011 14:21:00 GMT http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Geothermal-Energy/Financiers-Bullish-On-Geothermal-But-Industry-Must-Address-Drilling-Risks.html US Geothermal Sector Set for Significant Growth in 2011 http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Geothermal-Energy/US-Geothermal-Sector-Set-For-Significant-Growth-In-2011.html The US geothermal power sector is poised for significant growth in 2011, thanks to the economic stimulus package. Approximately 500MW to 700MW of geothermal power projects will enter the final construction phase next year, an increase from 162MW in 2010 and 125MW in 2009, according to the Geothermal Energy Association’s (GEA) market update. Many of these projects would not have proceeded without government stimulus because of the recession, said Karl Gawell, GEA’s executive director. “Stimulus has been good news for geothermal…

]]> ruyi@oilprice.com (Gloria Gonzalez) Fri, 29 Oct 2010 17:33:57 GMT http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Geothermal-Energy/US-Geothermal-Sector-Set-For-Significant-Growth-In-2011.html Major Step for the Geothermal Sector http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Geothermal-Energy/Major-Step-For-The-Geothermal-Sector.html U.S. Geothermal announced this week a strategic partnership with Enbridge, one of North America's largest operators of oil and liquids pipelines. Under the deal, Enbridge will invest $23.8 million toward the development of Geothermal's Neal Hot Springs project in Oregon. The buy-in will net Enbridge a 20% direct ownership in the operation. This is another major step for the junior geothermal sector (they seem to be coming faster and faster these days). Endorsement from a company the size of Enbridge is striking in and of its self. Even more intriguing…

]]> dforest@oilprice.com (Dave Forest) Fri, 10 Sep 2010 19:07:14 GMT http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Geothermal-Energy/Major-Step-For-The-Geothermal-Sector.html Is Japan Next for Geothermal? http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Geothermal-Energy/Is-Japan-Next-For-Geothermal.html Geothermal giant Ormat announced this week it's going to Japan. Ormat signed a cooperation agreement with Japanese construction conglomerate JFE Engineering. The deal calls for the two companies to work together in building geothermal power plants in Japan. Ormat supplies the equipment, and JFE does the work. This is a telling move from one of the world's largest geothermal players. There are a number of reasons Japan could be big for geothermal. The nation is a volcanic island. Like Hawaii, the Philippines, Kenya and New Zealand (all of which…

]]> dforest@oilprice.com (Dave Forest) Thu, 01 Jul 2010 14:43:07 GMT http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Geothermal-Energy/Is-Japan-Next-For-Geothermal.html Geothermal Elbowing its Way into the Mainstream http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Geothermal-Energy/Geothermal-Elbowing-Its-Way-Into-The-Mainstream.html As I've mentioned a few times, geothermal looks to be approaching a rolling boil. A few more positive indicators on the sector presented themselves over the past week. First came news last week that the state of Alaska will reduce royalty rates for geothermal projects on state lands. Previously, state geothermal royalties had been set at a towering 10 to 15% of gross revenues. Under the new legislation, this will fall to 1.75% during the first ten years of income-generating production. After ten years, the rate increases modestly to 3.5%. This…

]]> dforest@oilprice.com (Dave Forest) Mon, 14 Jun 2010 18:16:15 GMT http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Geothermal-Energy/Geothermal-Elbowing-Its-Way-Into-The-Mainstream.html Signpost Event Signals the Geothermal Business is Ready for Prime Time http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Geothermal-Energy/Signpost-Event-Signals-The-Geothermal-Business-Is-Ready-For-Prime-Time.html Scenario planners like Peter Schwartz often talk about "signpost" events. These are happenings, often small in and of themselves, which suggest a larger change rippling through the ether of a business, industry or nation. There have been a number of signpost events in the geothermal sector recently. A few months ago I discussed the emerging trend of advanced-stage geothermal projects being bought by major players in the sector such as Ormat. Yesterday came another important indicator. Oil-field services major Schlumberger buying out California-based…

]]> dforest@oilprice.com (Dave Forest) Wed, 28 Apr 2010 20:03:36 GMT http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Geothermal-Energy/Signpost-Event-Signals-The-Geothermal-Business-Is-Ready-For-Prime-Time.html U.S. Geothermal Projects Increase in Year, Extend to Gulf Coast http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Geothermal-Energy/U.S.-Geothermal-Projects-Increase-In-Year-Extend-To-Gulf-Coast.html The number of geothermal energy projects in the U.S. grew by 26% last year, to 188, as development of the alternative energy source spread from the western states to the Gulf Coast. Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas reported their first geothermal projects in 2009, according to a new report from the Geothermal Energy Association in Washington, while Utah quadrupled the number of projects, New Mexico tripled them and Idaho doubled them. Other states with projects are Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming.…

]]> editor@oilprice.com (Darrell Delamaide) Wed, 14 Apr 2010 0:00:00 GMT http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Geothermal-Energy/U.S.-Geothermal-Projects-Increase-In-Year-Extend-To-Gulf-Coast.html New Framework for European Geothermal Industry Encourages Exploration Companies to Investigate New Resources http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Geothermal-Energy/New-Framework-For-European-Geothermal-Industry-Encourages-Exploration-Companies-To-Investigate-New-Resources.html I’ve received a copy of a new regulation framework for geothermal energy in Europe. Handed to me by a colleague last week, whose associate led the drafting of the document. Geothermal is still an infant industry. In many countries, governments lack even a basic mechanism for granting licenses on geothermal projects. There just isn't any legal-work around giving a company rights to hot groundwater. The new framework attempts to address this and several other issues for European governments. Giving them suggestions on how to administer and…

]]> dforest@oilprice.com (Dave Forest) Sun, 28 Feb 2010 0:01:32 GMT http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Geothermal-Energy/New-Framework-For-European-Geothermal-Industry-Encourages-Exploration-Companies-To-Investigate-New-Resources.html A Guide to Geothermal Energy http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Geothermal-Energy/A-Guide-To-Geothermal-Energy.html What is Geothermal energy Geothermal energy is produced by utilising the heat from water reservoirs deep underground which have been heated by hot magma that lies close to the earth’s surface. The majority of Geothermal resources are normally found along tectonic plate boundaries where a large amount of volcanoes and earthquakes are concentrated. There are various methods in use by geologists in locating these reservoirs, but the only way to be certain is to drill a well and test the temperature. In the past we had been limited to fairly shallow…

]]> admin@oilprice.com (Editorial Dept) Fri, 24 Jul 2009 12:48:57 GMT http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Geothermal-Energy/A-Guide-To-Geothermal-Energy.html