Franklin Geothermal

Posts Tagged ‘Geothermal’

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Geothermal Technologies Program (GTP) is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for The National Geothermal Academy.

This 8-week intensive summer course for undergraduate and graduate students covers all aspects of geothermal energy development from resource recovery to utilization. Classes being offered include: Resource Assessment and Exploration; Drilling Engineering, Power Plant Design and Construction; and Public Policy, Permitting and Environmental Issues.

The course is a collaborative effort by the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), Stanford University, Cornell University, Oregon Institute of Technology (OIT), University of Utah, Southern Methodist University, University of Massachusetts – Dartmouth, West Virginia University and industry experts. Individual modules will also be offered for professional development through UNR’s Continuing Education program.  DOE will provide merit-based financial assistance for up to 20 students from across the nation.

Please find full course information and application materials posted at http://www.unr.edu/geothermal/NGA.htm. Applications are due by midnight on February 15, 2011.

Post courtesy of Rachel Bilyk

Geothermal Technologies Blog

The California Energy Commission is opening a new funding opportunity through its Geothermal Resources Development Account (GRDA) Program. The overall purpose of this solicitation is to promote the development of geothermal resources and technologies.

Funding: Up to $ 6.8 million total is available to fund GRDA grants and loans. There are no minimum or maximum funding levels. Match share contributions are required.

Eligibility: Private entities and local jurisdictions may apply. Eligible private entities include individuals and organizations engaged in the exploration and development of geothermal energy for profit.

Three distinct project categories will be funded: resource development projects, planning projects, and mitigation projects.

Most aspects of geothermal research, resource development, demonstration, commercialization, planning, environmental enhancement, and impact mitigation are eligible for funding.

Project durations cannot exceed 36 months from date of funding. Projects must be located in California or be sponsored by California-based companies.

Selection of Projects: This is a competitive solicitation and projects will be funded based on their overall average total score within each of the three project categories.

Application Deadlines: Applicants are required to submit both a pre-application and final application to be eligible for funding. The application due dates are:  

                     • Pre-Application: February 22, 2011, 4:00 p.m.

                     • Final Application: April 6, 2011, 4:00 p.m.

Availability of Solicitation Documents: Electronic copies of documents and forms related to this solicitation can be accessed at www.energy.ca.gov/contracts.

Geothermal Technologies Blog

U.S. Geological Survey Geophysicist Dr. Colin Williams and GTP Lead Analyst Arlene Anderson presented a technical paper entitled “Updating the Classification of Geothermal Resources” on February 1 at Stanford University’s 36th Geothermal Reservoir Engineering Workshop.

Stakeholders may submit comments on the provisional updated classification of geothermal resources through April 1 by clicking here.

Geothermal Technologies Blog

NORDIC® Commercial W Series-Large Capacity Water-to-Water Geothermal Heat Pumps with Hot or Chilled Water Output
R407c / R410a Refrigerant (depending on model size) Model Sizes 100-800 (9 – 65 Nominal Ton)
Maritime Geothermal Products

NORDIC® DXTF- Direct Expansion,Triple Function Two-Stage Geothermal Heat Pump
R410a Refrigerant, Model Sizes 45-75 (3-6 Nominal Ton)
Maritime Geothermal Products

NORDIC® DXTF- Direct Expansion,Triple Function Two-Stage Geothermal Heat Pump
R410a Refrigerant, Model Sizes 45-75 (3-6 Nominal Ton)
Maritime Geothermal Products

Energy Secretary Steven Chu recently announced that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) finalized a $ 96.8 million Recovery Act supported loan guarantee for U.S. Geothermal, Inc. to construct a 23 megawatt (net) geothermal power project in Malheur County, in southeastern Oregon.

The company estimates that the project, known as Neal Hot Springs, will create approximately 150 construction jobs, more than a dozen permanent jobs and even more supply chain jobs across several states, including Texas, California and Ohio.

“Increasing the supply of renewable energy through projects like U.S. Geothermal’s will help us reach the President’s goal of generating 80 percent of our electricity from clean energy by 2035,” said Secretary Chu. “The Neal Hot Springs project will provide clean renewable energy directly from our nation’s vast natural resources, while simultaneously creating jobs and helping to promote energy independence.”

The project uses an improved technology to extract energy from rock and fluids in the Earth’s crust more efficiently. The technology, referred to as a supercritical binary geothermal cycle, is estimated to be more efficient than traditional geothermal binary systems, allowing lower-temperature geothermal resources to be used for power generation. Unlike coal-fired and natural gas-fired power generation plants, geothermal plants produce virtually no greenhouse gas emissions.

The company anticipates about 95 percent of the power plant’s infrastructure and parts will be supplied by U.S.-based manufacturers. In addition, the project’s total output will be sold to Idaho Power Company under a long-term power purchase agreement. With the 25-year agreement in place, the project is well positioned to accommodate anticipated population growth and renewable energy demand in the region.

To learn more about DOE loan guarantees, visit the DOE Loan Program Office website.

 Photo courtesy: U.S. Geothermal, Inc.  According to the company, drilling during the late 1970s resulted in a discovery of a commercial geothermal resource at a depth of 2,820 feet.

Geothermal Technologies Blog

NORDIC® EMW Series-Two-Stage, Energy Module Hydronic Geothermal Heat Pump, R410a Model Sizes 25-75 (2-6 Nominal Ton)
Maritime Geothermal Products

Experts from a variety of disciplines met to discuss Enhanced Geothermal Systems at a Hedberg Research Conference on Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS). The conference was facilitated by oil and gas industry experts to discuss recent EGS advances, identify technology gaps, and discuss scenarios and strategies to help develop EGS in economically viable ways. Much of the know-how and many of the technologies required to develop EGS are well known in the oil and gas industry.

In attendance were 65 scientists, researchers and legislators from industry, academia, national labs and state and federal government. Geothermal Technologies Program (GTP) EGS technology development manager, Lauren Boyd presented an overview of the Geothermal Technologies Program’s budget request.

John Ziagos, currently on assignment from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory to GTP, and contractor Elisabet Metcalfe also attended and met with EGS scientists, researchers and other industry stakeholders. The technical program consisted of three days of presentations on current EGS research, research needs, and EGS’s role in the world’s renewable energy future, as well as daily breakout discussions and networking assemblies.

Held in Napa, California from March 14-17, the conference was a joint program of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG), the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG), and the Society of Petroleum Engineers’ (SPE).

Learn more about EGS at http://www1.eere.energy.gov/geothermal/enhanced_geothermal_systems.html

- Elisabet Metcalfe

Geothermal Technologies Blog

NORDIC® R Series- Reversing Geothermal Heat Pump
Liquid-to-Air – for use on open water wells or closed loops, active cooling + DHW assist
Maritime Geothermal Products