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If the Asian countries would make full use of the potential they have in renewable energy sources, 94% of the energy needs could be provided. But the countries, including Philippines, must initiate an “energy revolution”, states the newest Greenpeace report. According to the report, geothermal energy has one of the biggest potential in the Pacific region.
If we are to reach a drastic reduction of CO2 emissions by 2050, 80% of the world energy supplies should come from renewable energy. The developing Asian states will also have to play a crucial role, claims the Greenpeace report entitled “Energy Revolution: A Sustainable Energy Outlook”. The global investments ought to reach $17.9 trillion until 2030, whereas the share of developing Asian states should amount to approximately $837.5 billion.
The Philippines are currently the regions leading country in geothermal energy production. The installed capacity in the country reaches 1.900 MW, which is the second largest in the world. The United States hold the primacy with 3.000 MW of installed capacity. The two countries together with Mexico, Italy and Indonesia account for 75% of the world’s geothermal electricity. Geothermal energy is mainly used for heating.
According to the latest report released by Earth Times, the global geothermal energy capacity is currently 18.6 gigawatts, states the portal RenewablesHub. The potential of geothermal energy, an energy source free from greenhouse gas emissions, is more than 70 GW and is available at all time compared to solar or wind energy. However, one of the key conditions for a wider use of geothermal energy are new, cheaper, technologies that could reduce the costs of available and also emerging drilling methods (like that our – ULTRADRILL).
Last week we informed about the first meeting of future’s geoEnergia technology platform’s working group. Let’s look at the event closer.
The first working meeting of the group took place on 24th June 2010 in Bratislava with the aim of creating the National Technology Platform geoEnergia. The meeting was attended by 15 participants from various institutions, e.g. representatives from universities and state administration, scientific and research SMEs, industrial companies and geothermal project developers. The whole working session was divided into a number of blocks, whereas each focused on a specific topic related to geothermal energy.
The first block was devoted to an overview of the potential of geothermal energy, its positions vis-à-vis other renewable sources, realized projects, research and development on a global scale:
The outlook for year 2030 with regard to electricity consumption is 31.8 trillion kWh, which is twice as much if compared to 2005. Currently renewable energy sources account for less than 7% of the whole energy mix, which is untenable under the above mentioned scenario. The three main advantages of geothermal energy are: it is a base-load energy able to guarantee state’s strategic security; secondly, the fuel price is zero, because there no fuel is needed; thirdly, geothermal energy produces zero CO2 emissions, therefore it can save emission quotas.
The potential of geothermal energy in Slovakia is estimated at 5.538 MW, but currently only 2,3% of the whole potential is being used.
After evaluating the current global position of geothermal energy, the participants focused on the already existing European and national technological platforms, their influence and outcomes. The examples were the German or the Spanish platform, or the European RHC-ETP or Geolec.
The biggest part of the meeting was dedicated to Slovakia and the success stories of Slovak integration into international projects as Secricom or Artemisia. The participants then focused on the platform geoEnergia. Particularly on issues as establishing the whole working mechanism of geoEnergia, identification of the technological needs, legislative and other barriers, the potential of geothermal energy in Slovakia etc.
According to the project developers (e.g. Slovgeoterm), Slovakia has above-average geothermal conditions. Most of the projects in Slovakia focus on heating, however a lack of state support is the biggest barrier for further development of the geothermal sector. On the other hand, representatives from the research sector pointed out to the needs of creating cooperation with the industry, other SMEs as well as defining long-term strategic synergetic goals.
Official representatives of Slovak government from both the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Economy highly welcomed the idea of creating the technological platform and expressed their further support and desire to intensify activities that would lead to the establishment of geoEnergia.
The next step in our plan is to conduct a series of meetings between the potential members of geoEnergia, communicating with partners in the EU in order to gain experience and best practices. The official kick-off of the national technological platform geoEnergia is planned for September or October later this year.
Due to focusing of geoEnergia primarly on Slovak stakeholders, we attach more detailed information on this link in Slovak. At the same time, some photos from the first workshop you would find on our Facebook fan page.
On 24th June 2010, the first workshop of coordinating group took the place in Bratislava, whose aim is to prepare future founding of Slovak National Technology Platform ‘geoEnergia’. The kick-off meeting’s date has been set for Autumn 2010.
Since last Thursday, the preparation phase of future founding of geoEnergia technology platform has begun. The research and development in Slovakia is about to be boosted at kick-off meeting planned for the Autumn. It will become the first platform in Slovakia focused solely on the issue of geothermal energy as well as related research and development of drilling methods.
The first workshop with the outcome of preparing geoEnergia took place on 24th June 2010 in Bratislava, with attendance of 15 participants from universities, innovative SMEs and public administration (comprehensive information and more details you would find on Geothermania tomorrow), including us – the Geothermal Anywhere company. Representatives of the governmental sector expressed the support for establishing such technology platform, dealing with geothermal energy.
The first among the workshops was organized by the Agency for geothermal power engineering (AGEO), in which we are the founding members.
In regards of EU level, currently there are just two technology platforms in this field: GEOELEC (ETP for geothermal energy) and the Geothermal Panel included in Renewable Heating & Cooling ETP. In our opinion, technology platforms are one of the most effective ways how to support geothermal technology research, development and innovations useful „for real life“.
Due to focusing of geoEnergia primarly on Slovak stakeholders, we attach more detailed information on this link in Slovak (information available also on AGEO’s web). At the same time, some photos from the first workshop you would find on our Facebook fan page soon.
We are proud to be among the first to foster the landmark “Geothermal energy to change the world” from the 5th World Geothermal Congress in Bali. Its fundamental message is: Energy Independence Powered by Geothermal.
In the Bali Declaration, signed by representatives of the world’s geothermal community, countries emphasize their willingness to promote “geothermal energy to change the world” in order to provide a sustainable, peaceful, healthy and clean environment with prosperity for people and to support this environmentally positive source of energy.
The Bali Declaration
“We are more than 2500 members from World Geothermal Communities represented by 85 countries assembled in Bali, Indonesia, for the World Geothermal Congress 2010. The Congress has been convened by the International Geothermal Association and the Indonesian Geothermal Association. Indonesia is a country that has been blessed with abundant, sustainable natural sources of energy including perhaps the world’s largest readily accessible geothermal resources. In light of the long history of geothermal energy development here in Indonesia and throughout the world it is only appropriate that we, the members of the geothermal community so assembled, do hereby declare:
FIRSTLY – Energy constitutes a basic and continuing human need:
SECONDLY – It is established that:
THRIDLY: We the assembled therefore do urge that:
FOURTHLY – All this will:
Nusa Dua, Bali – Indonesia, 30th April 2010.”
The full text of declaration you would find here on this link.
Geothermal energy could become the solution for low-carbon future as well as for countries’ energy independence. Some two weeks ago, European Climate Foundation (ECF) published the analysis titled “Roadmap 2050”, which expressed quite positive attitude to geothermal energy.
Of course, the study conditions the further exploitation of geothermal energy by investing into research and development of Enhanced Geothermal Systems – EGS. It deals with four scenarios by 2050: the share of renewable energy sources (RES) 40, 60, 80 or even 100 % from overall energy mixture.
This is maybe the first expert study that tells us we could rely on geothermal energy, beside the solar one. Under theoretical scenario 100 % by 2050, EGS all over the Europe as well as solar energy coming from the North of Africa, would be able to cover up the power deflections of the unpredictable sources, especially wind parks.
A few days after the ECF’s study had been published, European Commission introduced its own analysis, which says the similar: The interesting market would be created with geothermal appliances. Altogether, geothermal solar as well as biomass could produce more than 45 % of total energy in the EU by 2050, but under the most sutaible conditions also 100 % from RES.
All-in-all, two studies unveiled recently are quite optimistic and we think they would turn into new opportunities for EGS development financing. We chose some parts from “Roadmap 2050”, so you would find the key findings under this blog post.
Just the last remark, “Roadmap 2050” writes about some key risks related to drilling into depths of 10 kilometers. In addition to this, our team is working on the solution called ULTRADRILL (contact-less ultra deep drilling platform). More information about it you would learn on Geothermania.com blog or just click on the banner at the bottom of text.
“The potential for conventional geothermal is assumed to be limited to about 2% of European power demand due to limited suitable and economic locations. Enhanced Geothermal, which involves injecting water deep into dry geothermal reservoirs to be flashed into steam and spin a turbine, is assumed to be a breakthrough technology, though it is promising enough that it has been deployed in the 100% RES pathway.“
“Costs for biomass and geothermal plants improve by 1% per year. [..] Fixed opex for geothermal plants is assumed to reduce from € 100 per kW to € 60 in 2050.“
“The 100% RES scenario was tested to be technically feasible and equally reliable. It leverages enhanced geothermal systems technology and imports of North African CSP (a commercial technology).“
“Enhanced geothermal is a large scale, nonintermittent renewable energy source that is currently in pilot testing phase. A 3 MW plant is commissioned in Landau, Germany, with several larger projects planned in Italy (over 300 MW). The current capital cost amounts to approximately € 5,000 per MW.“
“Key risks are related to hot well drilling (up to 10 km depth), earth movements that could fill the well, and (local) resource depletion that would require a new well to be drilled. Its energy source is truly renewable, as the earth contains large amounts of heat. Some technologies, however, consume water.“
“Enhanced geothermal technology can be applied anywhere in Europe, but is most cost effective where the heat is closer to the surface.“
Last week, we as Geothermal Anywhere, attended the Innovation Policy and Technology Transfer Conference in Bratislava. The discussion was about research, development and innovations in our country. The event was organized by American Chamber of Commerce in Slovakia, the Government Office of the Slovak Republic and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic.
I do not want to write any detailed reports, those you can find as links at the end of this post. I want to point out several remarks that are typical for governments in Central Europe, in particular for the Slovak one. My comments can be interesting especially for our fans from Slovakia.
My first impression was the difference between most of the US and Slovak speakers. It was also mentioned at the end of conference that in Slovakia, we are very good in problem defining, while Americans are oriented towards problems solving. Very simple, but very unflattering statement for our government. For R&D and Innovation segments definitely.
Second, a symptomatic factor for all similar conferences is that all real decision makers – responsible Ministers – were just participating in their initial panel, presenting their success story and mentioning a lot of problems that have to be solved (and were not solved during 3,5 years of their government). The subsequent discussion with rectors of leading universities, prominent international guests and top governmental officials, full of good advises, criticism and success stories, was without the presence of the ministers. I know that their agenda is overfilled, but without qualified feedbacks you cannot make qualified decisions. And the result of the discussion was – very limited feedback.
Slovak government undertook an obligation to reach research and development expenses at 1,8% of GDP. In 2007 and 2008 this percentage dropped below 0,5%, one of the lowest in EU. Thanks to Structural funds this number is higher now, but this is only temporary.
And support of high-technology small and medium companies and innovative leaders in top regions is very limited and if there is some, then it is extremely bureaucratic. Conditions like refund character of research projects, their delays in every stage of project implementation and main focus on project inputs (reports, statements, procurement, accounting) not outputs (technology, competitiveness) makes the efficiency of these investments even lower.
What we are missing are real long term priorities. We hope that the new government’s approach will take this issue seriously, because without a competitive economy any country will sooner or later turn into one cheap manufacturing factory. And I think this is not a target of any government in EU. The worse thing is that most of the results of the government’s investments in R&D are visible only in the next term of office.
Igor Kosic, CEO at Geothermal Anywhere
Photos (source: AmCham Slovakia):
More photos you would find here on this link.
More information about the Conference you would find here (AmCham) or here (Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
As a part of plan of economic recovery, EU decided to allocate EUR 3.98 billion on energy projects. Today, the vast majority (97 %) has been devoted CCS technology demonstrations, building some cross-border gas and electricity interconnections as well as for developing a series of offshore wind parks etc; but not a single euro for geothermal projects.
In the beginning of March 2010, European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC) raised its voice and asked European Commission to give some insurances for risks linked to geothermal drilling projects as well as to large geology explorations. In other words, EGEC in name of geothermal industry asked for what remained from 3.98 billion-euro package.
EUR 119 million could be turned into the buffer helping us to overcome main barriers, which we (geothermal industry) face in regards of geothermal energy development. Financial insurance schemes are necessary in order to whet companies’ appetite for large geology explorations, despite the related risks. Similar insurance schemes are in place for example in France, Switzerland, Germany or Netherlands. But schemes on EU level are desperately missing.
Finally, yesterday we saw interesting advertising video spot and lower we share it with you. This one is focused on promotion of wind energy, which is definitely not our favorite. But despite of that this spot is creative, so in this case we are taking of our hats off to competitors. It is about “Mr. W” (wind energy), who lived lonely and misunderstood by people. One businessman once recognized him and closed the deal. At the same time, similarly to “Mr. W”, there also “Ms. G” (representing geothermal) – she has lived not recognized and also under-appreciated not only by the people, but by the EU as well. Leaders in Brussels should recognize her as soon as possible; otherwise EU is about to miss (un)renewable chance and great opportunity.
Photo: Flickr.com / jcfrog (under Creative Commons licence)
Igor Kocis is one of the members of Geothermania’s team. But at the same time, he is the member of the Board at AGEO – Agency for Geothermal Power Engeneering as well as co-founder and CEO at Geothermal Anywhere, Slovak-based technology company focusing on technologies of ultra deep drilling.
Geothermania’s Igor and Michal talk about the research and development of ULTRADRILL robotic platform and briefly about the renewable energy sources in Slovak context.
In January 2010 Geothermal Anywhere and our partners have been granted by EUR 2.64 mil. from the EU Structural Fund in order to do research and development of a new ultra-deep drilling method . Igor, let’s summarize, why this concept does not have an equivalent in the whole world, in what ways is it so unique and on what do the supported grants focus?
The uniqueness of the new ultra-deep drilling method is in several points:
The supported grants predominantly focus on technological components of the ULTRADRILL platform, especially for the very process of drilling, its energy supply and managing.
Slovakia has a geothermal potential particularly for heating with hot geothermal water. The heating does not require very high temperatures. The geological conditions in Slovakia are suitable in the sense that we do not need to create engineered water loops because geothermal heated water is present under the surface naturally. On the other hand, for generating electric energy a higher degree of temperature is needed and with the current technologies we are not able to do this kind of drilling in Slovakia; at least not to the extent that we would be able to generate electric power with relative efficiency. Therefore we also try to develop such an approach that would allow us to drill into deeper depths, where we could reach sufficient temperatures also for constructing geothermal power plants, not only heating stations.
Yes you are. This knowledge motivated us to develop a technology for ultra-deep drilling which would be cost and time effective. Irrespective of geological conditions, if we are able to drill a geothermal well deep 6-10 km, it will be possible to reach temperatures, which allow us to build geothermal plants with standard turbines. That also means that we will save CO2 emissions, because geothermal heat will replace gas or coal as a “fuel”. At the same time, geothermal energy unlike nuclear one has the advantage that it is not surrounded by controversies and bad experiences from the past. Compared to other renewable sources as wind or solar energy, geothermal is able to supply a guaranteed amount of energy into the network constantly without amplitudes or dropouts – its availability is statistically 97%, which gives it a great advantage over other renewable energy sources.
Renewable sources in Slovakia are mainly represented by hydro plants, which are difficult to expand at present times. Photovoltaic is becoming more popular, but from an energy stability perspective it is not an effective solution. Wind plants received a red light in Slovakia due to their character, devastation of the scenery, high share of protected areas in Slovakia and ultimately also due to the necessity to back them up with power plants, which use traditional fossil and nuclear energy sources.
As for reaching the target in the field of renewable sources, I think that it is a too ambitious challenge. Reaching the target will be a problem for even more developed economies than the Slovak one. Therefore I think that the target in the horizon of year 2020 is not fully attainable. I claim this despite the fact that European Commission announced in its forecast that all EU member states are on a good way to fulfill obligations in regards of renewable energy by 2020.
Quite the contrary. Firstly, newly discovered deep oil and gas fields, which will be available thanks to the deep drilling methods are a highly ecological alternative to the developing extraction of hydrocarbons for example in surface sand fields in Canada or protected areas in U.S. Secondly, and this is decisive, oil and gas companies are currently among the biggest investors into green technologies and green energy. If these giants want to make big profits also in the upcoming decades and they understand the exhaustibility of fossil fuels as well as their harmfulness for the climate, they are searching for other energy resources too. From their perspective, geothermal energy represents one of the unexploited sources.
These days, we take the part at the 3rd Annual Geothermal Finance and Investment Summit in Las Vegas. At the same time, geothermal energy sector becomes more and more self-confident to offer the solution for rising demand on wider using of renewable sources.
The most influence investors, project developers, contractors and the other stakeholders, meet from 8th to 10th March 2010 in Las Vegas in U.S. in order to discuss prospects for near future. And so we do as well.
Geothermal Anywhere company takes the part. Our colleagues flew away to U.S. on very early Monday. We are glad we could share and compare our opinions, our ULTRADRILL technology concept as well as contact-less drilling methods with the ones of the other experts.
Hopefully, we are open for networking, closing the deals on cooperation or the other ways of joining forces together in order to bring the end of exponential growth of costs for drilling process in depths of 6 – 10 kilometers.
We have been in Vegas these days not for gambling and hazard, but for introducing our platform and confronting the views on research.
We also look forward to talk with the investors, who, as we believe, are the core group in regards of further support of ultra deep drilling systems’ innovation and development.
Dear friends, keep us the fingers crossed, while we take the part at the Summit in Vegas. Have a nice day from Nevada desert.
Dear Geothermania fans, we are proud to present our new blog at Blogger. We hope it would be a useful information and discussion source and you will enjoy it! If you are interested in the latest information from the geothermal field, please join it at http://geothermania.blogspot.com/. more.
