Obama Announces US $467M in Stimulus Funding for Geothermal and Solar Energy Projects

May 28, 2009 | 8 Comments

Washington, D.C., United States [RenewableEnergyWorld.com] President Barack Obama announced that more than US $467 million from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act could be used to expand development, deployment and use of geothermal and solar energy throughout the United States.

The Recovery Act makes a US $350 million investment in geothermal technology. Photovoltaic technology development will account for $51.5 million.

The Recovery Act makes a US $350 million investment in geothermal technology. Recovery Act funding will support projects in four areas: geothermal demonstration projects; Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) research and development; innovative exploration techniques; and a National Geothermal Data System, Resource Assessment and Classification System.

Geothermal demonstration projects will recieve $140 million. Enhanced Geothermal Systems Technology Research and Development will get $80 million. EGS makes use of available heat resources through engineered reservoirs, which can then be tapped to produce electricity. While the long-term goal of EGS is to generate cost competitive clean electricity, enabling research and development is needed to demonstrate the technology’s readiness in the near-term.

Research into innovative exploration techniques will get $100 million. Finally, a National Geothermal Data System, Resource Assessment, and Classification System be see $30 million invested. DOE will support the development of a nationwide data system to make resource data available to academia, researchers, and the private sector. Finally, DOE will support the development of a geothermal resource classification system for use in determining site potential.

Solar energy will see a $117.6 million investment. Photovoltaic technology development will account for $51.5 million and another $40.5 million will be used for deployment. Projects in this area will focus on non-technical barriers to solar energy deployment, including grid connection, market barriers to solar energy adoption in cities, and the shortage of trained solar energy installers.

Finally, CSP technology research and development will get $25.6 million. This work will focus on improving the reliability of concentrating solar power technologies and enhancing the capabilities of DOE National Laboratories to provide test and evaluation support to the solar industry.

8 Comments

Bob Zavoda
2009-06-03 01:24:51.0

This is SolarBob and I have a correction to the above comment. The CST device produces 280 megawatts, not 1/2 gigawatt.

Bob Zavoda
2009-06-01 23:24:26.0

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Concentrating Solar Thermal is the future of heavy load creation. DOE is doing a bait and switch.

The brunt of the Recovery money is going to the secondary technologies: They are the mix of .... taken all together...... photovoltaics, geothermal and the other usual suspects. These are the big players for base load suppliers. Nuclear and all fossil mining are white elephants, going forward; investors beware of them.

Checkout largest CST plant being built right now in the ole US of A. Construction is already underway in Gila Bend, AZ by a Spanish Company, Abengoa Solar. They are building a trough design of 1/2 gigawatt. Future sites in the SW and the Sahara Dessert will sport 1-5 gigawatts per copy and be of the tower design. (http://www.abengoasolar.com/sites/solar/en/

Anyone expert in Inter-continental power transmission infrastructure? The early bird catches the worm, folks.

Best regards,

Bob Zavoda, Geologist, Editor and Writer on a Sustainable Vision for America at BSOLR.com: "The Precautionary Collection"

ET Snyder
2009-05-29 10:16:01.0

In response to the Obama criticism brought up by Mr. Skowronski, I may not entirely agree, but I understand the general sentiments (esp. given his positions on FISA and "prolonged detention"). However, I think there's a point that should be addressed here:

$350 million is more than a "bone". It's a substantial chunk of change, for an area of alternative energy development (geothermal is not a true RE technology) that merits significant attention and investment. Whether he's working for the Bilderbergs or not, Obama's made a wise choice on this issue.

The way I see it, regardless of who he's working for (the people or the bankers), the research, development and deployment of alternative energy tech is nothing but a good thing. And, if a group of elite billionaires are in fact in charge of the world, I believe it's yet another technology that will only undermine their efforts in the future (IE: the internet!). Decentralized technologies are inherently difficult to control unilaterally, and nothing but a boon for any democracy, in my opinion.

Perhaps the powers that be simply have no other choice at this point. I have to admit, that simple thought makes me profoundly hopeful.

Robert Parker
2009-05-29 09:05:54.0

Dear Taylor/Skowronski

lest we forget ... its difficult to understand the generally pejorative, and typically vehement criticism of the 130 day old Obama administration; and yet the saint like patience in support of the former Bush administration-- which during 2,920 days presided over foreign policy blundering (Korea, Iran), domestic policy blundering (Katrina), billions in war related debt (Iraq, Afghanistan), political pronouncements followed by inaction (We're addicted to oil), cronyism/ incompetent political appointments (Brownie, you're doing a helluva job), a fear premised national security policy (we'll keep you safe), a global economic melt down (no explanation required), the near abrogation of the Bill of Rights (secret legal memos, wire taps), the return of torture (water boarding) and disregard for the Geneva Conventions (Abu Ghraib), world wide loss of American prestige and humiliation (shoe throwing incident), Karl Rove's 'permanent majority' (DOJ firing's), Dick Cheney (Valerie Plame, Scooter Libby falls on his sword, Enron collapse, no bid Halliburton contracts), its mind blowing really. Its also true that almost every administration is remembered for one or more political blunders-- Eisenhower (U2), Kennedy (Bay of Pigs, Marilyn Monroe), Johnson (Vietnam), Nixon (Watergate), Carter (Panama Canal, Hostages), Regan (Oliver North), Bush1 (lengthy recession, Desert Storm), Clinton (Lewinsky)-- but George W. Bush leads everyone.

....In point of fact, there is a schism developing in the Republican party ... on one hand you have conservative republicans (i.e.- republic, rule of law) who are genuinely conservative in their perspective and not necessarily/particularly religious ... and on the other hand you've got the 'fruitcakes' led by Rush Limbaugh and more recently DICK Cheney, Newt Gingrich, Steele, et al who are neocons much farther right of center with religious right leaning tendencies.

Regards,
Rob

Greg Hathcox
2009-05-29 08:35:32.0

Gary....I can only advise that you push your elected officials - Senators and Congressmen and especially your governor, on the importance of renewables to you and your community....Pickens Plan is one org that can help......BTW, Your neighboring states (Ohio, Michigan, Iowa) governors are constantly in the news promoting the new jobs that renewables will bring to their states..

Good luck

Gary Reese
2009-05-29 05:38:53.0

Here in Indiana we will never see a penny of it. The Government in Indiana is still living in the dark ages( pun intened ) . State government has already stated they want no part of Obama's plans.
What interests me is the part about the shortage of trained installers. There is no certification for installers in Indiana. You'd have to travel to another state, pay tuion to get it. That's thousands of dollars. Hopefully something will change.
( Off topic starts here ) Oh, the post above is one of reasons why the USA is so far behind other countries in re-newables. Obama is in there cause he was voted in. Get over it. ( End of off topic )

Michael Skowronski
2009-05-29 02:58:47.0

In regards to Michael-Taylor's comment...

Its a bone, not a start. Obama must do something to hide the fact that he is about to become the dictator of the USA...a puppet of course of those who bought and paid for him to be in office.

On that note...those who bought and paid for him intend total Fascist control of the USA and even the world. What, Obama, shock horror? No way...YES WAY! Wake up and look at what he really has done...look at how we have lost our freedoms. Look at how torture continues, wars have expanded NOT decreased. Terrorism??? The US Government is the greatest terrorist organization in the world in ALL OF RECORDED HISTORY...the other terrorists like the Taliban and others funded and started by the US Government and OBAMA lets it all continue and pretends they are the enemy of the world...the media plays into it...most people are sucked by it...protect me! protect me oh savior Obama! Gag! Vomit! Wake Up!

These are bones. Obama has to do something to look like he is doing something good. Perhaps it even helps him sleep at night knowing who he really works for. But do not be fooled, this man is the next Hitler! Worse than Bush because too many people love him and are blind to his faults.

Ug!

michael taylor
2009-05-28 12:12:29.0

its a start. i am glad to see that mr. obama is following up on his promises .