[amor de cosmos]

SkyFuel's Parabolic Trough in Stillwater Hybrid Geothermal Plant
Published on 23 April 2014

SkyFuel, Inc. is providing the parabolic trough solar field being integrated into the heating loop of Enel Green Power (EGP) North America's Stillwater geothermal power plant.

The solar field is designed to return the temperature of the brine from the geothermal wells to its original design point and thus recapture the full capacity and economic value of the existing turbine generator. All equipment for the solar troughs has been delivered and the system is expected to be operational by the end of 2014. This will be the world's first commercial plant integrating solar thermal power with geothermal.

http://www.solarnovus.com/skyfuel-s-...ant_N7670.html

Global Geothermal Market Saw Huge 2013 Growth, Says GEA
As U.S. geothermal capacity growth slows, geothermal capacity growth in the rest of the world is on the rise.
Meg Cichon, Associate Editor, RenewableEnergyWorld.com
April 22, 2014 | 4 Comments

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The global geothermal industry had a boom year in 2013, bringing the most capacity online since 1997. The market saw 530 megawatts (MW) commissioned, which brought total global capacity to just over 12,000 MW, holding a steady 4 to 5 percent growth rate, according to the Geothermal Energy Association’s (GEA) 2014 Annual U.S. & Global Geothermal Power Production Report. These projects are located in the U.S., Philippines, Mexico, New Zealand, Germany Kenya, Australia and Turkey.

Looking ahead, there are 12,000 MW in the global pipeline, which refers to projects in phases of exploration or under construction, and 30,000 MW under development, which includes prospects (when a government tenders the property to a company for further exploration). About 10-16 percent, around 1,900 MW, of projects are currently under construction in 15 countries, and if all are completed on schedule, global capacity could reach 13,450 MW by 2017, according to the report.

If international progress stays on track, several countries, such as Indonesia or the Philippines, threaten the U.S.’ title for most nameplate capacity within the next decade.

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/...th-us-says-gea

Apr 22, 2014
Geothermal Power Installations Grow Most Since 1997

April 22 (Bloomberg) — Geothermal power producers added the most capacity since 1997 last year as developing nations in Asia and other regions seek alternative energy sources, while installation declined in the U.S., according to the Geothermal Energy Association.

The industry added 530 megawatts of new power plants and total installed capacity now exceeds 12 gigawatts worldwide, the Washington-based trade group said today in its annual report. Geothermal power is growing at 4 percent to 5 percent annually.

New U.S. capacity fell 43 percent from 2012 to 85 megawatts as low prices for natural gas and inadequate transmission infrastructure helped curb demand for geothermal power. With more than 3.4 gigawatts in operation, the U.S. is the biggest market, and it’s bucking the global trend. Almost 700 geothermal power plants are under development in 76 countries, often in developing nations seeking to exploit clean sources of power to drive economic growth.

“The U.S. is in a very different position than many of these other countries that are developing,” Karl Gawell, the group’s executive director, said today during a conference call.

Demand is highest in developing African and Asian nations that need utility-scale power, Gawell said. The Philippines is the No. 2 geothermal market with 1.9 gigawatts, and Indonesia is third with 1.3 gigawatts. Geothermal power plants tap underground pockets of steam, which is piped to the surface where it drives turbines to produce electricity.

The U.S. market is dominated by states including California that are seeking to curb their reliance on fossil fuels. About 80 percent of U.S. capacity is in California.

Global capacity may reach 13.5 gigawatts by 2017, according to the report.

http://about.bnef.com/bnef-news/geot...st-since-1997/