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Study Says Geothermal Energy Most Efficient and Improving Fastest

By Bill Opalka, Editor-in-Chief, Topic Centers, Energy Central, August, 12, 2009 - A new study says geothermal energy is the most efficient source among renewable energy resources and could become cheaper than fossil fuel-generated energy with a concerted government research effort.  more...
Article Viewed 2444 Times  |  16 Comments

Canada's Geothermal Potential: Learning from the U.S.

By Craig Aspinall, Public Policy Manager, Western GeoPower Corp., July, 08, 2009 - Canada has literally been a `powerhouse' of energy resources for decades with hydroelectricity, natural gas and oil playing a major role in the nation's economy, but only recently has begun paying serious attention to the potential for electrical production from geothermal energy to help meet the demand for "green, renewable" power in the western provinces and western U.S.  more...
Article Viewed 1614 Times  |  1 Comments

The Business of Geothermal - A Competitive Resource

By Lisa Cohn, Writer, Real Energy Writers, June, 10, 2009 - For Michael Yackira, president and chief executive officer of Reno-based NV Energy, deciding whether to purchase geothermal energy to meet the state's renewable portfolio standard is a no-brainer.  more...
Article Viewed 2033 Times  |  2 Comments

Geothermal Development Expands Globally

By Tim Stephure, Analyst, Emerging Energy Research, May, 13, 2009 - Tapping a long, successful track record and a growing urgency to increase renewables generation worldwide, geothermal project activity is escalating significantly after relatively slow growth over the past two decades. Attractive for its unique combination of baseload power, cost competitiveness, and zero emissions (at least with current technology), geothermal power is gaining increased attention from governments and the private sector as a renewable generation technology with scaling potential.  more...
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Basics of Geothermal Energy Production and Use

By Leslie Blodgett, Senior Editor, Geothermal Energy Association, April, 08, 2009 - Geothermal energy is defined as heat from the Earth. It is a clean, renewable resource that provides energy in the U.S. and around the world in a variety of applications and resources. Although areas with telltale signs like hot springs are more obvious and are often the first places geothermal resources are used, the heat of the earth is available everywhere, and we are learning to use it in a broader diversity of circumstances. The heat continuously flowing from the Earth's interior, which travels primarily by conduction, is estimated to be equivalent to 42 million megawatts (MW) of power, and is expected to remain so for billions of years to come, ensuring an inexhaustible supply of energy.  more...
Article Viewed 2470 Times  |  8 Comments

Some Steam Heads Geothermal's Way

By Bill Opalka, Editor-in-Chief, Topic Centers, Energy Central, March, 10, 2009 -

A renewable power source that had slowly been gaining steam in recent years, only to slow down in the current financial crisis, got a new hot blast sent its way, courtesy of the economic stimulus package promoted by President Obama. Favorable tax policies and outright grants are the latest strategies to be sent the industry's way.  more...
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Geothermal Revenue Under the Energy Policy Act of 2005

By Timothee Neron-Bancel, Research Associate, GEA, February, 11, 2009 - In 2005, the Energy Policy Act mandated comprehensive changes to leasing and royalty policies to encourage geothermal energy use. Congress amended the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 modifying how royalties are calculated, how land is leased, and how Federal income from geothermal development is distributed. This article examines trends in geothermal revenues, including distribution and use of the income received by the federal government, since passage of the Act.  more...
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Generating Electric Power from Low-Grade Geothermal Energy

By Harry Valentine, Commentator/Energy Researcher, , January, 14, 2009 - Ongoing volcanic activity in many parts of the world suggests a potential abundance of geothermal energy. There are locations where geothermal energy produces steam that directly and indirectly drives turbines and electrical generation equipment. The Top Energy group in New Zealand flows geothermal steam through heat exchangers to vaporize pentane that drives the turbines. The Raser group has developed a heat exchange technology to convert geothermal heat at near the boiling point of water to electric power. There is an evolving technology that shows the potential to convert even lower-grade geothermal energy into electric power.  more...
Article Viewed 2811 Times  |  11 Comments

Will Utilities Warm Up to Low-Temperature Heat Pumps?

By Jay Stein, Executive Vice President, Research, E Source, February, 03, 2006 - Several recent technological innovations working in concert enable low-temperature heat pumps to solve some persistent problems for northern electric utilities. But utilities will have to become players in this emerging industry to ensure that its promising technology takes shape in a way that makes it practical for utilities to promote and implement.  more...
Article Viewed 8894 Times  |  6 Comments

Waterless External Combustion Thermal Power Generation

By Harry Valentine, Commentator/Energy Researcher, , December, 05, 2005 - The prospect of climatic change will reduce the availability of fresh water in many regions and impose constraints on human populations. It will also require a change in how large amounts of electricity is generated in power stations using fuel such as pebble-bed modular nuclear material, refuse (garbage), geothermal heat, coal, low rank coal-water fuel or biomass. Multi-megawatt thermal power stations that operate from such fuel sources typically use water (steam) as the preferred working fluid. A secure external supply of water is needed as a heat sink to operate the condensing equipment in such power stations and to compensate for water lost due to leakage.  more...
Article Viewed 6001 Times  |  2 Comments
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