GEA Brings "Geothermal Energy 101" to North American Renewable Energy Conference

Participants will spend the morning learning about steps leading up to a successful geothermal project, technologies for conventional geothermal engineering and drilling, and what must be done to ensure successful project development. Additional discuss topics include the outlook for the geothermal market in 2012, the business and economics of geothermal development, and California’s geothermal industry. Karl Gawell, GEA Executive Director, will serve as one of four course instructors.

“It’s fitting that this workshop will be held in California, an industry leader and a state that has paved the way for geothermal innovation and development,” said Gawell. “Participants will gain a full understanding of geothermal and hopefully use that knowledge to benefit the industry in the future.”

Additional course instructors include Louis Capuano, Jr., founder of ThermaSource, Inc., John McKinsey, chair of the Geothermal Energy practice at Stoel Rives, LLP, and Maria Richards, coordinator of the SMU Geothermal Laboratory.

California, which was the first U.S. state to build a commercial geothermal site, continues to lead the way for the U.S. geothermal industry. In 2010, geothermal provided 42% of California’s commercial in-state renewable electricity generation, and if the Golden State were its own country, it would lead the world in geothermal power production with over 2,500 MW of installed capacity.

The Renewable Energy World North American Conference will be held from February 14-16 at the Long Beach Convention Center.  Additional geothermal features at the conference include a Geothermal Track on February 15 and 16.  On the Expo Floor, the GEA’s booth will provide information on the basics of geothermal energy, current geothermal energy projects and industry issues, and GEA membership and events.  Visitors can take a GEA “passport” to other booths featuring geothermal for a chance to win a Kindle Fire.

On Wednesday, February 15, Geothermal Track attendees will hear papers and presentations on innovative geothermal power plant systems and technology that increase resource efficiency and offer more dynamic load support to utilities.  Presentations from: Halley Dickey, TAS Energy; Josh Nordquist, Ormat Technologies; Harvey Wen, Bechtel Power Corp.; Gary Zyhowski, Honeywell; and Mike Ronzello, Pratt and Whitney Power Systems.

A second session will highlight geothermal policy and economics, exploring the role of federal and state governments and what industry needs in order to accelerate growth.  Speakers: Karl Gawell, Geothermal Energy Association; John McIlveen, Jacob Securities Inc.; and Halley Dickey, TAS Energy.

On Thursday, February 16, a paper-and-presentation session will feature how geothermal energy developers increasingly use waste heat recovery and the Organic Rankine Cycle for increased efficiency.  Speakers: A. Scott Weber, University of Buffalo; Bruno Vanslambrouck, HOWEST, University College of West Flanders; Joe Lillard, Atlas Copco Mafi-Trench; and Kelsey Walker, TAS Energy. 

To attend the GEA workshop or for more information, please visit http://www.renewableenergyworld-events.com/index/registration-information.html.

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/.  Check out GEA’s YouTube Channel.  Follow GEA on Twitter.  Become a fan on Facebook.