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Education series spotlights geothermal power
Utility, government and industry professionals who made the New Year's resolution to get a better understanding of renewable resource options can get started with the 2009 Geothermal Education Series, hosted by the Geothermal Resource Council (GRC). "As a constant, reliable and sustainable baseload resource, geothermal energy has a critical role to play in our renewable energy portfolio," said GRC Executive Director Curt Robinson. "There are tremendous opportunities waiting to be tapped." Power providers have often overlooked those opportunities, in part because geothermal energy is a subterranean resource, Robinson observed. "It doesn't lend itself to photo opportunities the way a wind turbine or solar panel does," he said. "That makes it more difficult to educate not only the public, but also utilities, about geothermal's potential." To bring that potential to light, the GRC is joining with sponsors from government, the utility industry and academia to present a series of webinars and workshops about geothermal power technology and issues. The series will cover project development, power production, policy, financing and more. "Our goal is to raise awareness of how geothermal power is brought into the market place," said Guy Nelson, team lead for the Utility Geothermal Working Group. "Likewise, the utility industry and the general public need a clearer understanding of the benefits and costs of geothermal heat pump (GHP) systems." Benefits for utility professionalsSponsors include Western, American Public Power Association (APPA), National Renewable Energy Laboratory, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) and DOE's Geothermal Technologies Program. The University of Nevada–Reno and Southern Methodist University Geothermal Laboratory will also be contributing ideas and expertise to the schedule. "APPA is always looking for opportunities to provide members with objective, current information about potential renewable energy solutions," said Michele Suddleson, manager of APPA's Demonstration of Energy-efficient Developments (DEED) program. "Geothermal is one of the more promising renewable energy sources. Keeping cooperatives abreast of the new developments in this industry is vital," said NRECA Principal Engineer Mike Pehosh. "The technology is changing and has the potential to be installed at more reasonable cost than in the past. Also, utilities can collaborate on projects to spread the costs and reduce risks." Promoting direct, indirect applicationsThe first webinar, Renewable Energy Project Financing and Renewable Energy Credits, took place Jan. 27. "Financing is central to project development," said Nelson. "Capital is such a large part of the cost of production. Bringing down those costs—by securing lower interest rates, for example—could go a long way toward encouraging development," he added. The series continues March 25 with another webinar on GHP systems, a form of geothermal power available in every part of the country. GHPs can increase comfort, reduce bills, and improve the utility's bottom line, noted Pehosh, "and they can help reduce the need for additional generation. This is an area that has major impact for electric cooperatives." Suddleson noted that APPA members are showing more interest in GHPs lately. "Some utilities that already have GHP programs are looking for ways to revitalize them, while other power providers are considering the technology for the first time," she said. "With the cost of energy going up, the time is right for launching or tuning up GHP offerings." Heat pump and geothermal power technology will be the subject of a daylong workshop in Salt Lake City, Utah, April 22-23.The agenda will have a regional focus and a format similar to the geothermal technologies workshops Western sponsored in 2008. "Covering two related but very different technologies opens up the tent," explained Nelson. "Some attendees will come to learn about GHPs and others will be there only for production. Hopefully, everyone will learn something they didn’t know before." Enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) are the focus of the July 15 webinar. EGS are engineered reservoirs created to produce energy from geothermal resources that are otherwise not economical due to lack of water or permeability. "Advances in technology are putting once-underestimated resources within the reach of development," Robinson said. More events to comeThe final webinar, scheduled for Dec. 9, targets power providers. Utility Geothermal Development Strategies will address the challenges and benefits of adding direct and indirect geothermal power to a utility's energy mix. The Geothermal Education Series offers a comprehensive introduction to the resource's possibilities. Participants who are inspired by the webinars to learn more can attend the GRC 2009 Annual Meeting, Oct. 4-7, in Reno, Nev. The agenda features case studies from around the world, along with an extensive utility track. GRC and the series sponsors don't intend to stop with the current webinar and workshop schedule, either. More geothermal events are in the planning stage for this year and 2010. Watch the events calendar and the Public Renewables Partnership for announcements. Expand your knowledge of geothermal power by registering for the March 25 webinar, or any of the other events. The cost to participate in each webinar is $50, or $35 for GRC members and members and customers of sponsoring organizations. For more information, contact Guy Nelson at 541-994-4670. |
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ResourcesAmerican Public Power Association National Renewable Energy Laboratory National Rural Electric Cooperative Association DOE Geothermal Technologies Program Southern Methodist University Geothermal Laboratory Registration form |
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Related articlesEnergy Services Bulletin, June 2008
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