North of the Hot Zone

As early as this month Snohomish PUD will drill five test holes to take thermal well core data.  The data will support their exploration for the ultimate development of 50MWe to be delivered to Snohomish County Residents.

From Everett, Washington’s Hometown newspaper The Herald.

The test wells, located near Skykomish and Sultan, will be drilled to measure the rise in temperature from the surface to the bottom of each well.

The test-well sites likely would not be candidates for a geothermal plant in the future. They were selected because they’re near roads and are easy to reach…Two of the sites are on private property, two on U.S. Forest Service land and one on land owned by the state…The PUD will spend $250,000 to dig the wells.”

The PUD will spend $250,000 to dig the wells

Geothermal could provide up to 6% of SNOPUD’s electrical load according to the utilities estimates.

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AltaRock’s  President and Chief Technology Officer Susan Petty shows commercial leadership from her office in Seattle.  AltaRock makes the link between geothermal and carbon dioxide as a working fluid.  From Earthtimes earlier this month

GreenFire Energy (GreenFire) today announced that it has entered into a technology sublicense agreement with AltaRock Energy (AltaRock) for the core patent for using CO₂ as the working fluid in a geothermal energy plant. The technology, which GreenFire refers to as “CO₂G™,” will produce renewable geothermal energy while also sequestering large volumes of CO₂. GreenFire intends to be the first company in the world to commercialize this technology. The sublicense gives GreenFire exclusive rights to the technology across a broad region centered on the St. Johns Dome, located in Apache County, AZ and Catron County, NM. It also gives GreenFire national non-exclusive access to the technology for the purposes of developing other sites, some of which have already been identified.

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/greenfire-energy-announces-a-technology,1117913.shtml

The author of this blog acknowledges the conflict of interest to carbon capture he holds.

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Washington state moved along with the pack as geothermal had one of its best years in decades.   Nationally, 6 plants came on line and another 144 are under development.  In Washington State, it is the sole project of Vulcan Power (not related to Paul Allen’s Vulcan of Seattle) that is looking to develop a resource on the east side of Mt. Baker.

Little has happened of note following the Alta-Rock access to rights beneath 263,000 acres of timber property in Western Washington.  Nor has Seattle City Light moved to take on any resource development.

However, SnoPud continues to be a leader and moves forward with their geothermal development in the Cascades.  They received $15 Million in federal funding for their innovative energy work in not only geothermal, but also tidal and smart meters.

The June 3rd Geothermal Workshop in Seattle was successful with lots of Canadian attention coming down from Vancouver.

State Senator Kline is committed to re-introducing his geothermal bill in the 2010 Legislature in Olympia.

However, the state remains in need of a deep borehole in the Cascades for some accurate assessments on the resource potential.

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In an apparently controversial article in this month’s Nature Geoscience, Mt. St. Helen’s, Mt. Rainier and Mt. Adams are all fed from a vast magma chamber beneath southwest Washington State.

A vast pool of molten rock in the continental crust that underlies southwestern Washington state could supply magma to three active volcanoes in the Cascade Mountains Mount St. Helens, Mount Rainier and Mount Adams according to a new study that’s causing a stir among scientists

The link to the journal article and from the Hartford Courant’s political coverage (of all places). 

The study, published Sunday in the magazine Nature Geoscience, concluded that the magma pool among the three mountains could be the "most widespread magma-bearing area of continental crust discovered so far."
Other scientists dismiss the existence of an underground vat of magma covering potentially hundreds of square miles as "farfetched" and "highly unlikely." Rather than magma heated to 1,300 to 1,400 degrees, some think it could be water.
They also discount speculation that a so-called "super volcano" such as the one under the Yellowstone National Park area might be beneath the region. They say there’s no credible evidence to suggest a need to overhaul the volcanic hazard assessments for the three mountains.
Even so, the study is another piece of the puzzle as scientists try to understand the deep plumbing of volcanoes and, perhaps eventually, learn how to predict their eruptions better.
In the late 1980s, scientists discovered a massive underground electromagnetic anomaly known as the Southern Washington Cascades Conductor. But the two-year study published Sunday is the first to suggest that it may be the source of magma for Mounts St. Helens, Rainier and Adams.
"We believe our results speak for themselves and are reluctant to extrapolate from the conclusions reached in the paper," Graham Hill, the lead author of the study, said in an e-mail from New Zealand. The study was sponsored by GNS Science, the New Zealand equivalent of the U.S. Geological Survey, and Monash University in Australia.
The three volcanoes are along the edges of the Southern Washington Cascades Conductor, in a rough triangle with Mount St. Helens to the south, Rainier to the north and Adams to the east. They’re 50 or so miles apart.
Scientists think that each volcano has its own small magma chamber three miles or more directly beneath it. A large pool of magma 12 to 15 miles under the region’s surface supplies each of the shallower chambers, the new study theorizes.
"The take-home point is there is evidence of a primary magma pool that feeds the chambers underneath the volcanoes," said Matt Burgess, who worked on the study before becoming a hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey in San Diego. "It’s one source all these volcanoes feed off."
Using sensitive instruments at 85 sites among the mountains including Mount St. Helens during its just-ended eruptive phase scientists studied the electric and magnetic fields of the Southern Washington Cascades Conductor, Burgess said.
"It’s up for debate, but it is reasonable to assume it is a large magma chamber," he said. "There is no other explanation for this."
Among the scientists who study volcanoes, the study has, in fact, touched off a major debate.
"Their interpretation is open to disagreement," said Seth Moran, a volcano seismologist with the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory in Vancouver, Wash. "Other geophysical studies don’t support this theory."
Moran said the most telling evidence that the theory was wrong was the lack of any surface evidence, such as geothermal vents or hot springs, among the mountains that would indicate the presence of a super-heated underground magma pool.
"If there was such a large body of magma, you would find surface evidence," Moran said, adding that Yellowstone, with its geysers and hot springs, is a perfect example of the type of visible evidence that’s lacking in southwest Washington state.
Steve Malone, a professor emeritus at the University of Washington’s earth and space science department who’s studied the Cascade volcanoes for years, agrees.
"The geothermal evidence for what Graham suggests is nonexistent," Malone said. There is also no seismic evidence for such a magma pool, he said.
Twenty years ago, a study using "limited heat data" described a vast area of deep magma beneath the volcanoes in the Oregon Cascades, Malone said.
"Such hypotheses sometimes just fade away," he said. "It absolutely is not a reason at this point to re-evaluate hazard mitigation efforts."

Yet some of Malone’s colleagues agree with the study and Hill’s conclusions.
Olivier Bachmann, a geochemist at the University of Washington, said the data in the study were "pretty solid." He said there was other evidence, including geochemical evidence, to suggest that the Southern Washington Cascades Conductor might be a magma pool.
An underground anomaly like the Southern Washington Cascades Conductor has been discovered in the Andes Mountains in Chile. Studies there indicate that it’s a pool of magma, he said. Scientists on New Zealand’s North Island are doing similar research.
The lack of surface evidence is no reason to discount the possibility of a southwest Washington magma pool, Bachmann said, adding that the geysers and hot springs in Yellowstone, Iceland and New Zealand are over much shallower magma pools than the Southern Washington Cascades Conductor.
Bachmann called the Southern Washington Cascades Conductor a "mush zone," about 20 to 50 percent magma and the rest crystalline rock. The magma extruded at Mount St. Helens was filled with crystals, he said.
"The magma at Mount St. Helens is sticky, viscous, explosive and didn’t come directly from the (Earth’s) mantle," he said.
All the scientists, including Hill and Burgess, said there was nothing to suggest that a dangerous super volcano was underneath southwest Washington.
The Yellowstone super volcano is one of the largest on Earth, with a caldera, or depression, in the surface that covers 1,500 square miles. During its last eruption, 640,000 years ago, it released 8,000 times more lava and ash than the 1980 eruptions of Mount St. Helens did.
"There is no evidence to suggest there is a super volcano down below southwest Washington," Bachmann said.
As for the disagreement over whether the Southern Washington Cascades Conductor is a large magma pool or something else, Bachmann said that more studies needed to be done, such as surface heat flow studies. Drilling isn’t a possibility, he said.
"It would cost a lot and be too dangerous," he said.

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Capturing as much energy as possible from heat sources is critical in electricity generation, moreso with geothermal which is a low temperature source (compared to natural gas or nuclear).  Emanating from the nanotech research underway, a new liquid that has good expansion and contraction characteristics at lower temperatures is now heading to bench testing to be completed by 2009.

From ANI news feed

When exposed to heat brought to the surface from water circulating in moderately hot, underground rock, the thermal-cycling of the biphasic fluid will power a turbine to generate electricity. To aid in efficiency, scientists have added nanostructured metal-organic heat carriers, or MOHCs, which boost the power generation capacity to near that of a conventional steam cycle.

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The Washington Energy Services newsfeed gave a brief plug to the June GEA event in Seattle.

Seattle will have the opportunity to highlight its clean energy credentials next month when it hosts a major event for the geothermal energy industry.
The Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) will hold a Technology, Finance and Development Workshop in the city on June 3…. Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels and a variety of other local officials are expected to be on hand at the event.

The link to the article is here.

For more information on the GEA Workshop, try this link

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Dear Readers,

We would like to apologize for the loss of images to this blog.  Unfortunately a web programmer attempting to work on a different website (www.geothermalinnovation.org) inadvertently accessed North of the Hot Zone and erased the images and some of the links.

We are trying to correct this problem, but as some of the entries were original research it will take some time.  We are actively soliciting an intern who will work on this problem as part of a larger geothermal internship.

if there are any images or data referred to on this blog that you would like to have resolved sooner, please contact Lawrence Molloy directly at Lawrence@northofthehotzone.com

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GEA U.S. Technology, Finance, and Development Workshop Agenda has finally been released.  Mayor Greg Nickels of Seattle will open the conference.  State Senator Adam Kline will also talk about recent legislative activities. DOE will be represented by Ed Wall, Director of Geothermal Energy

8:00 am Opening Keynote presentations, Karl Gawell, GEA, Moderator
Greg Nickels, Mayor of Seattle, WA, confirmed
Senator Adam Kline, State of Washington, confirmed
Representatives of Federal and State officials, invited
8:25 am Geothermal 101: Understanding geothermal resources and technology
Susan Petty, AltaRock Energy, confirmed
8:45 am Washington State Geothermal Status and Roadmap
Dave Norman, Washington State Geologist, confirmed
Dave Sjoding, Washington State University, confirmed
9:15 am BREAK
9:30 am Ormat, Gold Level Sponsor, Morning Keynote
9:45 am New Geothermal Projects Under Development: Leading Project Developers Discuss the Status of
Their New Geothermal Projects and Keys to Successful Project Development
Ken MacLeod, Western GeoPower, confirmed
Michael Hayter, Raser Technologies, confirmed
Dan Schochet, Ram Power, confirmed
Hank Sennott, Enel NA, tentative
Phil Messer, PBS&J, tentative
Saf Dhilon, U.S Geothermal, tentative
10:45 am New Geothermal Technology Panel: New and future developments in geothermal technology are
described and discussed
Ed Wall, DOE, Panel Chair:
13
Paul Thomsen, Ormat, confirmed
Halley Dickey, TAS, confirmed
Lou Capuano, ThermaSource, confirmed
Charles Baron, Google, confirmed
Kevin Wallace, Power Engineers, confirmed
David Paul, UTC power, tentative
11:45 LUNCH 
12:30 pm Community/Environmental/Tribal: Invite environmental leader to speak on role of geothermal
and environmental issues; invite community official where geothermal is used or being developed to
discuss local issues/benefits
Panel Chair: Karl Gawell, GEA
Ross Macfarlane, Climate Solutions, confirmed
Laurie McClenahan Hietter, RMT, confirmed
Roger Taylor, State, Local & Tribal Deployment, National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
confirmed
Michael O?Connell, Stoel Rives, LLP, confirmed
Additional environmental, community or tribal views (lRachel Shimshak, Renewable NW
Projects, Nancy Hirsch, NW Energy Coalition, Tony Usibelli, WA State Energy Office, Dan
Ritzman, Sierra Club, Becky Kelly, Washington Environmental Council, Diana Enright, Oregon
Department of Energy, Shoshone Tribe, invited)
1:20 pm Transmission: Status and Outlook for Federal and State Actions to Ensure Adequate Transmission
for New Renewable Power Projects
Jonathan Weisgall, MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company, confirmed
1:40 pm Federal Stimulus and Other Support
Ed Wall, Geothermal Technologies Program Director, U.S Department of Energy,
confirmed
2:00 pm UTC Power, Gold Level Sponsor, Afternoon Keynote
2:15 pm BREAK
2:30 pm Financing Geothermal Projects: Status of Federal and State Incentives, Approaches to
Project Financing, and More…
Mark Taylor, New Energy Finance, confirmed
Tom King, U.S Renewables Group, confirmed
CJ Arrigo, Glacier Capital Partners, confirmed
John McIlveen, Jacobs and Company Securities, Inc., confirmed
3:30 pm Overcoming the legal/regulatory hurdles to new geothermal development
Jerry Fish, Stoel Rives, confirmed
John Pierce, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich Rosati, confirmed
Kermit Witherbee, BLM Geothermal Program Manager, confirmed
Bob Fujimoto, U.S Forest Service, to be invited
4:30pm Geothermal Energy from a Utility/Power Company Perspective
Chad Teply or Mark Tallman, PacifiCorp, confirmed
Craig Collar, Snohomish PUD, confirmed
Steve Ponder, NV Energy, confirmed
Additional Representative (Ben Farrow, Puget Sound Energy, Murray Grande, NCPA, and John
Pease, Bonneville Power Administration, invited)

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In an article covered by the Idaho Business Review, the prospects of geothermal in Washington State are contrasted against cheap hydropower. 

"For states like Idaho, Washington and Oregon, which are dominated by relatively cheap hydro power, the competition is low-cost power,” said Doug Glaspey, COO of Boise-based U.S. Geothermal. “In California, energy costs are around $100 per megawatt. In Idaho, people don’t want to pay any more than $60 or $70 per megawatt.”

The link to the article is here

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In a well written piece, the New York Times January 13th, 2009 editorial page spoke singularly to the merits of geothermal.  Usually geothermal is mentioned in passing with wind, solar and bio-fuels.  Link is here.  Editorial is

To most people the word “geothermal” means hot springs and geysers — like parts of Iceland or Yellowstone National Park where water is heated by the presence of magma near the surface of the earth. But the earth’s heat lies below everywhere, and it offers a virtually untapped energy reserve of enormous potential with a very short list of drawbacks.

In 2006, a panel led by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology surveyed the prospects for electricity production from enhanced geothermal systems. Its conclusions were conservative but very optimistic. The panel suggested that with modest federal support, geothermal power could play a critical role in America’s energy future, adding substantially to the nation’s store of renewable energy and more than making up for coal-burning power plants that would have to be retired.

Following up on the M.I.T. study and a separate survey of its own, the Bureau of Land Management issued a decision last month that would open up as many as 190 million acres to leases for geothermal exploration and development. These lands are mostly in the West, where hot rock lies closer to the surface than it generally does in the East.

There is a lot of research yet to be done about geothermal sources, new techniques for deep drilling and energy generation at the surface. But the basics are clear enough. Water is injected deep into the earth where it absorbs heat from the surrounding rock. As the fluid returns to the surface, that heat is used to generate electricity. The fluid is then re-injected. The system forms a closed loop. It creates almost no emissions and is entirely renewable. It also occupies a smaller surface area than either solar or wind power.

Still, large-scale commercial production is at least a decade away and will require improvements on currently available technology. Geothermal development also will mean still more competition for scarce water, more holes in the ground and more roads to service those holes.

The M.I.T. report’s statement that the success of geothermal production “would parallel the development of the U.S. coal-bed methane industry” is no doubt meant to be reassuring. Yet in parts of the West, coal-bed methane has been an environmental disaster, both for fragile landscapes and the wildlife that depend on them.

Geothermal development must not be allowed to foster another drilling free-for-all of the kind we’ve seen during the past decade. Done right, it could help free the country of the grievous environmental burden of coal-burning power plants. Done wrong, it could create grievous environmental problems of its own. Mindful of the dangers, the next administration should commit to developing this extraordinary resource

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The Federal EIS predicts that 1,860 temporary construction jobs will be generated to develop 600 MWe within the State.  That would result in 444 permanent maintenance jobs and almost $40 Million dollars salaries per annum.

The analysis is located on page 487 of the third appendix.  The link is here.

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The Programmatic EIS looks at 9,000 plus acres requested for development in an area proximal to the North Cascades National Park.  This project is a development proposed by Vulcan Power.  The analysis begins on page 351

The pending noncompetitive lease applications were filed by Vulcan Power Corporation in 2000. It is expected that issuing all of the leases in this area would result in two binary power plants at capacities of 30 and 20 megawatts. It is expected that a 30 megawatt plant would result in 15 acres of land disturbance, and a 20 megawatt plant would result in 10 acres of land disturbance for a total disturbance of 25 acres. Existing Forest Service roads would be used to access the sites.  Exploration activities for a 20 megawatt plant and a 30 megawatt plant is expected to involve approximately 12 temperature gradient holes, disturbing approximately 0.15 acre each, for a total disturbance of approximately 2 acres.

Four pending lease applications are included within this area:
• WAOR 056025 – 2,403 acres comprise portions of three adjacent sections of land and a full fourth section 0.25 mile to the west. The legal description of this land is (1) T38N R8E S36; (2) T38N R9E S19, “part so of wilderness”; (3) T38N R9E S30, parts E2, E2W2,Lots 1-4; (4) T38N R9E S31, parts E2, E2W2, Lots 1-4.

• WAOR 056027 – 2,560 acres comprised of four contiguous sections of land. The legal description of this land is (1) T37N R8E S11; (2) T1S T37N R8E S13; (3) T37N R8E S14; (4) T37N R8E S24.

• WAOR 056028 – 2,544.970 acres comprised of four contiguous sections of land. The legal description of this land is (1) T37N R8E S10, “pt outside NRA”; (2) T37N R8E S15; (3) T37N R8E S22; (4) T37N R8E S23.

* WAOR 056029 – 1,941.920 acres comprised of four contiguous sections of land with a portion of each excluded due to the excluded land being a National Recreation Area. The legal description of this land is (1) T37N R8E S16, “pt outside NRA”; (2) T37N R8E S17, “pt outside NRA”; (3) T37N R8E S20, “pt outside NRA”; (4) T37N R8E S21, “pt outside NRA”.

The lease sites range in elevation from 800 feet to 3,400 feet above mean sea level and are traversed by several creeks, roads and trails. Other land uses include several gravel pits and quarries. There are no known buildings within the lease sites or within 0.5 mile of any of the lease sites.

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The U.S. Dept. of Interior has moved forward with opening additional lands for geothermal development in the Cascades.  The action follows on a multi year EIS conducted by Interior.  Lands available for leasing will NOT include Wilderness areas and National Parks.  Initial lease sales will take place in December, 2008 for properties on the eastern slope of the Southern Cascades in Central Oregon and Idaho.  Additional properties throughout the Western United States, and Washington can be nominated by geothermal developers. 

A link to the Dept. of Interior report is here.

From the Interior Press Release

….the initiative could produce 5,540 megawatts of new electric generation capacity from geothermal resources by 2015. That’s enough to meet the power needs of 5.5 million homes. The plan also estimates an additional 6,600 megawatts by 2025 for a total of 12,100 megawatts – enough to power more than 12 million homes.
When put into action by a Record of Decision, the plan would identify about 118 million acres of Bureau of Land Management managed public lands and 79 million acres of National Forest System lands for future geothermal leasing….

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In the first comprehensive assessment since 1978, the US Geologic Survey has issued a new survey of the hydrothermal and EGS potential of the Western United States.  Building from recent assessments by the Western Governors Association, State Geologic Surveys, private data and federal assessment they issue conservative, mean and low probability estimates.  The study included resources greater than 90 degrees C and up to a depth of 6km.  Pristine lands and lands proximal to National Parks were excluded.  A total of 241 geothermal sites were identified.

Washington State’s identified resources are 0.25% of the national assessment and expand to 1.25% of the potential when EGS is included.

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The Greenwash Brigade, part of NPR’s Public Insight Network discuss Washington State’s strong renewable portfolio standards.  They also refer to numerous renewable projects underway.

We have 39 geothermal, solar, wave energy and wind projects in some forward marching phase, with 18 fully operational.

Gifted with massive coastal wave energy, the windy (and thankfully sunny) eastern part of Washington and geothermal deposits (thanks to glaciers), we are using a suite of public policy tools, including the dreaded Initiative process, to move inexorably towards a clean energy economy in the Pacific NW.

Geothermal deposits (thanks to glaciers)?

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In an agreement with a major timber company, Alta-Rock has acquired the geothermal rights to 263,000 acres in Western Washington.  While the full geothermal potential of these resources is not known, their proximity to the I-5 transmission corridor greatly favors their development compared to Eastern Washington geothermal resources.  The full scope of lease rights extend to 650,000 plus acres in several western states.

The press release via EarthTimes is here

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Snohomish Pubic Utility District, the 12th largest in the nation has embarked on an aggressive geothermal development strategy within their service area.  With a goal of 90 MW by 2020, they are well on their way with significant early milestones in 2007 and 2008.  From a presentation by SNOPUD’s Craig Collar

• Updated GIS database utilizing data from historical BPA studies
• Existing data review
• Temperature with depth maps
• Geochemistry
• Geology
• Fracture/fault mapping
• Seismic data
• Stress/tectonic regime
• Transmission lines
• Access/land availability
• Gathered new geochemistry data from springs and wells
• Preliminary costs: exploration, wells, plant
• Potential exploration/development options

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Over 65 participants attended the Geothermal Workshop for utilities hosted by Snohomish PUD in Everett last week.  During the day and a half event on both power generation and ground source heat pumps the focus was on the state of the industry and the opportunities now for advancing geothermal in Washington State.

The two most important Washington State specific geothermal findings were SnoPud’s  goal of 90 MW from Geothermal in the Cascades by 2020 and the estimate by the National Geothermal Resources Council that Washington State’s geothermal potential could be double previous estimates and exceed 600 MW.

The event was opened by SnoPud Director Steve Klein and Congressman Jay Inslee (via recorded video).  Congressman Inslee, whose district includes part of the service district of SnoPud, talked about making Washington State a geothermal leader and was looking forward to "cut(ting) the ribbon on the first plant" .  Congressman Inslee has also arranged for $500K in funding to assist SnoPud in developing their geothermal plan.

However, the state faces a significant challenge as resource estimates are from a 1979 study.  "Comprehensive research and exploration have not been done (in Washington State)" according to GRC Executive Director Curt Robinson.  And yet, he felt confident enough to cast an estimate of 600 MW, primarily in the Cascades and Central Washington. 

Western Washington’s geothermal potential remains unknown and is largely masked by the rainfall on the western slopes of the Cascades.  Experts still feel that several sites may exist along the I-5 transmission corridor, a critical factor in the siting of any geothermal plant.

Development costs have soared in recent months as capital, material and exploration costs have significantly spiked. Guy Nelson with the Geothermal Working Group stated that the current rule of thumb is now $4 Million per MW.  Geothermal power can range from 6.6 to 11.6 cents per kiloWatt hour.

Rural PUD’s also learned about the new loan assistance program by the USDA for ground source heat pumps.  This program offers a great opportunity for Eastern Washington utilities to help homeowners install and finance home heat pumps that are critical for utilities interested in peak shaving, and homeowners interested in significantly reducing their home heating and cooling costs.

Representatives from Seattle City Light, Tacoma Power and Skamania PUD were in attendance, as was State Senator Adam Kline.  Senator Kline is talking to Senate leadership about introducing the Geothermal Study Bill again this year.   He is confident that a straight forward study bill (no policy, regulations, funding or taxes) that explores both power generation and heat pumps will garner strong interest by legislators throughout the state. 

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The GEA has released its latest production and development report.  Nationally, growth is project at ~20% since the beginning of 2008.  Washington State garners a reference to one project around Mt. Baker.  No MW power output is assigned.

Geothermal_Update_August_7_2008

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Electric Utilities’ Roles in Promoting Geothermal Technologies

August 11-12, 2008
2320 California Street – Everett (Snohomish County Public Utility District)

Map to location pdf is here Traffic can be heavy heading North across the county line.  Plan accordingly.  Bus Service from Seattle is the Sound Transit 510, Schedule is here.  Carpooling can be good time to catch up with people you know.

The topics are salient to where Washington State is vis a vis geothermal.  SnoPud is to be commended for appropriately framing and hosting the event.  Link to SNOPUD Press Release is here. 

August 11

9:00 Registration

9:30 Opening Remarks: Steve Klein, General Manager SNOPUD and Congressman Phil Inslee US House of Representatives

9:45 Panel Discussion: “Geothermal Potential In the Pacific Northwest” Susan

• Petty, AltaRock Energy, Inc, Chair
• Curt Robinson, Geothermal Resources Council
• John Martinsen, SNOPUD
• Kermit Witherbee, Bureau of Land Management
• Bill Lum WA State Department of Ecology

11:15 Break

11:30 “Developing, Building and Operating Geothermal Power Plants” Guy Nelson, Team Leader, Utility Geothermal Working Group

12:15 Luncheon Presentation: “Geothermal Technologies and Utility Leadership Roles in Promoting Rural Development; Dan Bowers, USDA

1:30 “Geothermal Heat Pumps: Benefits and Issues”, Paul Bony, ClimateMaster

2:00 Panel Discussion: “Utility Perspectives” Craig Collar, SNOPUD Chair

• Craig Collar, Snohomish PUD
• Marilynn Semro, Seattle City Light
• Jerry Brown, Palo Alto Utilities
• Garth Larson, PacifiCorp

3:30 Break

 

3:45 “Risks and Rewards of Including Renewables in a Utility’s Resource Portfolio” Brian Walshe, ALTERA Energy

4:15 Products and Services Panel, Guy Nelson, Utility Geothermal Working Group

• John Pierce, WSG&R
• Susan Petty, AltaRock Energy
• Paul Bony, ClimateMaster

5:15 Adjourn for the Day

August 12

7:30 am Continental Breakfast

8:00 “A Tale of Two Buildings” Guy Nelson, UGWG

8:30 “GHP Analytical Tools” Katherine Johnson, Market Development Group

9:15 Geothermal Technologies in Waste Heat Recovery Applications, Guy Nelson, UGWG

9:45 Breakout Sessions: “How Do We Get More Cost-Effective Geothermal Projects Into the Market?”

• Utility Perspective
• Regulatory/Government Perspective
• Customer Perspective

10:45 Break

11:00 Reports from the Breakout Sessions

Noon Adjourn

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