GEA Geothermal Energy Expo 2011 will feature breakthrough developments

This year the GEA Geothermal Energy Expo will host over 160 global businesses from around the world. Leading geothermal exhibiters include Ormat, NALCO, Siemens, Geothermal Resource Group, POWER Engineers, Íslandsbanki, Pratt & Whitney Power Systems, Mitsubishi Power Systems, Calpine Corporation, BM Holdings Company and TNG Energy Services.

“As our industry continues to proliferate among global markets, more advancements are being made.  The GEA Geothermal Energy Expo will highlight these new and important technical advancements, providing a robust forum for industry buyers and sellers,” said GEA Executive Director Karl Gawell. “We look forward to welcoming geothermal business leaders and exhibitors from around the world for a very hands on, dynamic event.”

More than 3,000 attendees are expected to walk the sold out Expo floor. The general public can visit the Expo Hall for a $50 registration fee per day, and student registration is complimentary with valid student ID. 

“Ormat is thrilled to be the Platinum sponsor and exhibitor at the Expo,” said Paul Thomsen, GEA Board President and Director for Ormat Technologies, Inc. “We consider the Expo the must-attend networking event of the year bringing the entire geothermal business community together under one roof.”

California is a policy leader in the United States with one of the most ambitious Renewable Portfolio Standards in the country. California’s landmark renewable energy standard legislation was signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown this year, and will require California utilities to provide at least a third of their electricity from clean and safe renewable sources like geothermal by the year 2020.

California is No. 1 in installed geothermal capacity with a total of 43 operating geothermal power plants producing nearly 1,800 megawatts, about two-thirds of the total United States' geothermal generation. It is estimated that the state has a potential of more than 3,000 megawatts of additional power from geothermal energy, using current technologies.

Geothermal power presently supplies the world with 10,715 Megawatts of electricity in 24 countries on six continents. The potential to use geothermal resources is much greater. With the technology available today and under development for the future, geothermal resources could supply more than 300,000 Megawatts of power, while producing far fewer carbon emissions than from legacy sources.

“At NALCO we are focused on differentiated services and technologies that save water and energy, enhance production and improve air quality while reducing total costs of operation,” said GEA Expo exhibitor Jim Boak, Sr Industry Development Manager, NALCO. “For geothermal power plants, we are excited to share a recent treatment we developed to prevent silica scale formation in process piping and injection wells that can significantly improve mega watt production.”

The Expo hall will be open from Monday, October 24 at noon until Wednesday, October 26^th at noon.

For information on registration, the floor plan and agenda, please visit http://www.geothermalenergy2011.com/. The GEA is also on Twitter @geoenergist. Please join the conversation with the Twitter tag #GEAExpo. The complete exhibitor list is available at http://www.geothermalenergy2011.com/exhibitors.asp. For more information, to schedule an interview or to request media credentials, please contact Leni Schimpf at the Rosen Group, 646-695-7045 or leni@rosengrouppr.com.  

About the Geothermal Energy Association:
The Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) is a trade association composed of U.S. companies who support the expanded use of geothermal energy and are developing geothermal resources worldwide for electrical power generation and direct-heat uses. GEA advocates for public policies that will promote the development and utilization of geothermal resources, provides a forum for the industry to discuss issues and problems, encourages research and development to improve geothermal technologies, presents industry views to governmental organizations, provides assistance for the export of geothermal goods and services, compiles statistical data about the geothermal industry, and conducts education and outreach projects. For more information, please visit http://www.geo-energy.org/. Follow GEA on Twitter. Become a fan on Facebook.