News & Articles on Geothermal Energy
Geothermal is the ugly duckling of renewable energy and is often overlooked in preference to wind and solar. However, comprehensive renewable energy policy should include provisions for geothermal energy. In some regions, especially around the Ring of Fire, geothermal is a major source of renewably-generated electricity. Today, geothermal power plants supply 4% of California’s electricity consumption. It can do much more.
Geothermal to keep FIT in Japan, while auction system is introduced for solar and wind
By
Alexander Richter
The Japanese government has adapted the feed-in-tariff (FIT) system for renewable energy technologies, introducing a wholesale/ tender system for solar and wind, while geothermal, biomass and small-scale generation keep the FIT.
New regulations to simplify permitting for geothermal exploration in France
By
Alexander Richter
The Ministry of Ecological and Solidarity Transition in France has presented new regulation that would modify provisions in the French Mining Code, aimed at simplifying and clarifying legal framework on permitting for exploration and exploitation of geothermal.
Unlocking Japan’s geothermal energy potential
By
Steve Mcclure
Renewable energy sources such as geothermal have been getting more attention since the 2011 Fukushima disaster exposed the risk — or folly — of nuclear power. . . One expert says geothermal power could supply 10 percent of the country’s energy needs by 2050.
Interview with Frank Schoof on geothermal development success in The Netherlands
By
Alexander Richter
The role of the government was also important, with the putting in place of a risk-guarantee fund and feed-in tariff for heat.
Small-scale ORC supplier ElectaTherm exceeds one million hours of cumulative fleet runtime
By
Alexander Richter
ElectraTherm utilizes Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) and proprietary technologies to generate up to 110kWe of electricity from low temperature water ranging from 77-122°C.
Switzerland announces higher feed-in-tariffs for geothermal power generation
By
Alexander Richter
New feed-in-tariffs for hydro-thermal and petro-thermal geothermal have been put forward that would lift maximum tariffs from up to $0.48 to $0.54/ kWh for plants sized 5 MW and below with lower values for installations of larger sizes.
Kenya considering auction system to replace feed-in-tariffs
By
Alexander Richter
Kenya is considering replacing its current feed-in-tariff system with an auction-based system in efforts to drive down electricity tariffs in the country. Auction systems have proven to favour price over base-load capacity, not favourable for geothermal energy.
Turkish Turcas Petrol plans doubling of its geothermal capacity in Turkey
By
Alexander Richter
Turcas Petrol wants to double its geothermal power generation capacity in the coming years and is asking for continued government support through either the FIT or another incentive program for the geothermal sector.
Geothermal development in Japan kept alive by small-scale projects
By
Alexander Richter
With continued opposition to larger-scale geothermal projects, developer of small-scale projects of around 100 kW show that development is possible and successful, as cases in Beppu, Oita Prefecture show.
Japan’s METI plans adaptations on required geothermal environmental impact studies
By
Alexander Richter
Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) is planning changes on requirements for environmental impact assessments for geothermal projects in efforts to help further growth of geothermal development in the country.
