Leading Stories, Releases, Solicitations

California Senate Leader Introduces 100 Percent Clean Energy Measure – GEA Endorses Measure
Wyden Unveils Clean Energy for America Act
Congressional Stop-Gap Budget Ignores Trump’s Requested Cuts to Science and Energy Programs
Congressional Action on Geothermal Funding for FY17
President Trump Names Daniel Simmons to Run DOE Efficiency and Renewable Programs
ORIX to Acquire 22% Ownership Stake in Ormat from FIMI and Bronicki Investments and Simultaneously Enter into Strategic Partnership with Ormat
Ormat Technologies Reports 25% Increase in Revenues for the First Quarter of 2017

· Enel Green Power Awards Two Stars Of Merit For Labour In Geothermal

Polaris Infrastructure Announces 2017 First Quarter Results
NREL Releases Mexico Market Geothermal Assessment Report
EU Commission clears the creation of a joint venture by STRABAG and EVN for Development of Deep Geothermal
Milestone reached in geothermal deep drilling project
Daldrup & Söhne AG receives major order for four geothermal drillings from Stadtwerke München
BLM completes Environmental Assessment for Dixie Meadows Geothermal Development Project

Headlines

Leading Stories, Releases, Solicitations

California Senate Leader Introduces 100 Percent Clean Energy Measure – GEA Endorses Measure

SACRAMENTO – California Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles) on Tuesday May 2introduced Senate Bill 100, The California Clean Energy Act of 2017, which puts the state on the path to 100 percent clean, renewable energy by 2045. GEA endorsed the proposed legislation.

VIDEO: Press Conference: California Senate Leader Introduces 100 Percent Clean Energy Measure

“California’s experience over the last decade offers hard evidence that we can dramatically expand clean energy while also growing our economy and putting people to work,” Senator de León said. “This measure will ensure that California remains the world’s clean energy superpower and that we lead the nation in addressing the threat of climate change.”

VIDEO: 100% Clean Energy Equals Jobs https://youtu.be/7Zeu3yXuGCg

VIDEO: 100% Clean Energy: We Can Get There https://youtu.be/9AYRADZkkqs

BILL SUMMARY

SB 100, the California Clean Energy Act of 2017 does all of the following:

Establishes an overall state target of 100% clean energy for California by 2045 by directing the CA Public Utilities Commission, CA Energy Commission, and Air Resources Board to adopt policies and requirements to achieve total reliance on renewable energy and zero carbon resources by that date.
Accelerates SB 350’s 50% mandate for clean renewable energy from 2030 to 2026 and establishes a new RPS benchmark of 60% by 2030 to ensure more clean energy in the California grid sooner.
Establishes new policies for energy companies to capture uncontrolled methane emissions from dairies, landfills and waste water treatment plants and use these clean renewable fuels to replace natural gas.
Authorizes investor owned utilities to invest in cleaner transportation fuels such as hydrogen or waste methane gas from dairies for heavy duty trucks to replace dirty diesel fuels, provided there are no other cleaner options such as zero emission vehicles available.

BACKGROUND

California has one of the cleanest economies in the world. Since we passed AB 32 in 2006, we’ve grown our economy faster than the national average while reducing carbon intensity by nearly 40% compared to 1990. We’ve also lowered energy bills, improved air quality and created thousands of new, high wage jobs in the clean energy sector.

California already has the most ambitious climate targets in the world and the most aggressive renewable energy targets of any economy of its size. We lead the nation in renewable energy generation, clean tech venture capital investment, patent creation and clean car technology.

In 2015, The Legislature passed SB 350, The Clean Energy and Pollution Reduction Act (De Leon et al), which set a 50% clean energy standard by 2030.That bill also set new requirements for doubling energy efficiency and for wide scale transportation electrification deployment. Senate Bill 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2016 (Pavley), requires the state to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030.

http://sd24.senate.ca.gov/news/2017-05-02-california-senate-leader-introduces-100-percent-clean-energy-measure

Wyden Unveils Clean Energy for America Act

Bill streamlines tax credits to encourage production of clean energy, cut carbon pollution

Washington, D.C. – Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today announced legislation to measurably reduce carbon pollution over the next decade through a series of incentives for clean energy and the promotion of new technologies in the private sector. Wyden’s Clean Energy for America Act includes technology-neutral tax credits for domestic production of clean electricity and clean transportation fuel, as well as performance-based tax incentives for energy-efficient homes and office buildings. These credits are open to all resources, including fossil fuels that capture carbon or make efficiency improvements.

Wyden is the senior Democratic member on the Senate Finance Committee and member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, making him uniquely positioned to find new incentives to cut carbon pollution while creating millions of jobs in the clean energy sector.

“This bill is built around the proposition that the law ought to reward innovative energy technologies with incentives that spark investment in the private economy,” Wyden said. “These investments will shrink electric bills for American families and create new clean energy jobs in Oregon and across the country.”

The current system of energy incentives in the tax code is overly complex and far less effective than it should be. Today, there are 44 different energy tax incentives. More than half are too short-term to effectively stimulate investments, while also providing different subsidies to different technologies with no clear policy direction. By contrast, Wyden’s bill proposes a dramatically simpler set of long-term, performance-based energy tax incentives that are technology-neutral and promote clean energy production and storage in the United States.

Cosponsors of the Clean Energy for America Act include Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., along with Senate Finance Committee members Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., Bob Menendez, D-N.J., Tom Carper, D-Del., Ben Cardin, D-Md., Michael Bennet, D-Colo., and Senators Dick Durbin, D-Ill., Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., Chris Coons, D-Del., Brian Schatz, D-HI, Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., Angus King, I-Maine, Tim Kaine, D-Va., Cory Booker, D-N.J., Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., and Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev..

Legislative text can be found here. A one-page summary of the bill can be found here and a longer summary of the bill can be found here.

GEA’s Executive Director called the proposal “a significant step in the right direction.” “We support establishing a long-term, technology neutral tax incentive for clean energy production,” he added.

Congressional Stop-Gap Budget Ignores Trump’s Requested Cuts to Science and Energy Programs

On May 4, Congress finalized a bipartisan deal to fund the federal government through September and avoid a government shutdown. The bill cleared both chambers and now awaits the President’s signature. The stop-gap bill differs greatly from the budget outline issued by the Trump administration in March, particularly on funding for energy and environmental programs. The Trump administration’s “skinny budget” proposal called for a 30 percent reduction to EPA, but Congress’s budget would result in a one percent reduction for EPA, with some additional usage restrictions installed. The Department of Energy’s research offices were also targeted for steep reductions, yet these programs will see slight increases in funding under the Congressional proposal. However, the Trump administration is still proceeding with steps to diminish the capacity of regulatory agencies, including the removal of 3,200 of EPA’s 15,000 employees. In addition to ongoing executive actions to roll back U.S. climate policies, the Congressional budget contains zero funding for the Green Climate Fund and the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

For more information see:

Washington Post, Bloomberg, Inside Climate News

Source: EESI News

Congressional Action on Geothermal Funding for FY17

Congress has passed, and the President has signed an FY17 Omnibus bill that allows DOE and other programs to have clear financial direction for the rest of the Fiscal Year.

The final report for the measure stipulates for geothermal total spending for FY17 of $69.5 million. Further, it notes “Geothermal Technologies.-The agreement provides $35,000,000 for ongoing activities for the Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy project.”

For reference, in FY16 the geothermal programs was funded at $71 million, and the Obama Administration request for FY 17 was $99.5 million.

President Trump Names Daniel Simmons to Run DOE Efficiency and Renewable Programs

The President has named a leading critic of Obama era renewable policies to oversee DOE’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Programs – Daniel Simmons previously VP at the Institute for Energy Research. According to IER’s website:

“Daniel Simmons is IER’s Vice President for Policy. Simmons previously served as IER’s Director of Regulatory and State Affairs. He oversees IER’s work on energy and climate policy at the state and federal level.

“Prior to joining IER, Simmons served as director of the Natural Resources Task Force at the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), was a research fellow at the Mercatus Center, and worked as professional staff on the Committee on Resources of the U.S. House of Representatives.

“Simmons is a graduate of Utah State University and George Mason University School of Law. He is a member of the Virginia State Bar.”

The Washington Post called Simmons “a conservative scholar who sharply questioned the value of promoting renewable energy sources and curbs on greenhouse gas emissions.”

DOE’s website said: In his role as Acting Assistant Secretary in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Daniel Simmons leads EERE to achieve its vision of a strong and prosperous America powered by clean, affordable, and secure energy. He oversees technology development in the energy efficiency, renewable power and sustainable transportation sectors.”

ORIX to Acquire 22% Ownership Stake in Ormat from FIMI and Bronicki Investments and Simultaneously Enter into Strategic Partnership with Ormat

Reno, Nevada and Tokyo, Japan, May 4, 2017 – Ormat Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: ORA) and ORIX Corporation (TSE: 8591; NYSE: IX) announced today that ORIX will acquire an approximately $627 million ownership stake in Ormat by purchasing approximately 11.0 million shares of Ormat common stock from FIMI ENRG Limited Partnership, FIMI ENRG, L.P. (collectively, “FIMI”), Bronicki Investments, Ltd. (“Bronicki”), and senior members of management, representing in the aggregate an approximately 22.1% ownership position in Ormat. The per share sale price to be paid by ORIX at closing (subject to satisfaction of customary conditions, including regulatory approvals) is $57, which was the prevailing market price at the time that ORIX, FIMI and Bronicki reached agreement on the commercial terms of their transaction. The parties expect closing (including with respect to the agreements described below) to occur in the third quarter of 2017.

Under terms of a new Commercial Cooperation Agreement between the two companies, Ormat will have exclusive rights to develop, own, operate and provide equipment for ORIX geothermal energy projects in all markets outside of Japan. In addition, Ormat will have certain rights to serve as technical partner and co-invest in ORIX geothermal energy projects in Japan. Also, ORIX will assist Ormat in obtaining project financing for its geothermal energy projects from a variety of leading providers of renewable energy debt financing with which ORIX has relationships in Asia and around the world.

Under related agreements, ORIX will have the right to designate three persons to be appointed to an expanded nine-person Ormat board of directors and also propose a fourth person to be mutually agreed by Ormat and ORIX to serve as a new independent director on the Ormat board. In addition, for so long as ORIX is entitled to board representation, ORIX will be subject to certain customary standstill restrictions, including an effective 25% cap on its voting rights. ORIX will also have certain customary registration rights with respect to the shares of Ormat common stock that it will own.

A Special Committee of the Ormat board of directors was formed to evaluate and negotiate the shareholder arrangements proposed by ORIX. The Special Committee received independent legal counsel from Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP. The agreements between ORIX and Ormat were executed by Ormat following the unanimous recommendation of the Special Committee and the unanimous approval by the Ormat board of directors.

“We are excited to partner with ORIX, one of the world’s leading diversified companies with operations in 36 countries, to advance the interests of both companies,” commented Gillon Beck, Ormat’s Chairman. “With ORIX’s significant presence around the world, access to capital and strong positioning throughout Asia, we believe Ormat can enhance and accelerate its strategic growth plans in the renewable energy market. We expect this collaboration will expand the number and quality of growth opportunities that Ormat enjoys around the world, particularly in Asia.” Mr. Beck added “These past years have been exciting ones characterized by continued growth and strategy execution. I would like to thank the devoted management and employees of Ormat for their relentless efforts. ORIX is joining an amazing company and I am confident that Ormat will continue to excel and reach new highs.”

“We are delighted to be partnering with Ormat to support the company’s expansion in the global geothermal energy market” said Mr. Yuichi Nishigori, Head of Energy and Eco Services Business Headquarters of ORIX. “As one of Asia’s leading investors in the renewable energy sector, and with a growing portfolio of renewable energy investments around the world, we recognize the importance of having clean, reliable, baseload power such as that which geothermal provides, and we believe that the geothermal sector has the potential to become an increasingly large component of the world’s overall energy mix. Given Ormat’s technological leadership and increasingly global portfolio of operations, we believe the company is well positioned to help lead this expansion, and we look forward to working with the Ormat board and existing management team to facilitate the company’s future growth and value creation.”

“Following the meetings and discussions I had with ORIX’s management in the last several weeks, I am confident that this significant cooperation agreement will support our strategic plan to expand our geographical footprint as well as technological and customer base” said Isaac Angel, Ormat’s CEO. “We expect that the comprehensive capabilities and track record of Ormat together with ORIX’s commitment to expanding the scope of its geothermal and other renewable energy activities will accelerate our growth. I look forward to leading our cooperation with ORIX on future opportunities.”

http://www.ormat.com/news/latest-items/orix-acquire-22-ownership-stake-ormat-fimi-and-bronicki-investments-and-simultaneo

Ormat Technologies Reports 25% Increase in Revenues for the First Quarter of 2017

Electricity Segment Expands 7.3% to Record Revenues of $115.8 million; Products Segment Up 69.5% Management Reiterates Full-Year Guidance

RENO, Nev. May 8, 2017 – Ormat Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: ORA) today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2017.

Financial Summary:

First Quarter 2017 Highlights and Recent Developments:
• Total revenues of $189.9 million, up 25.3% compared to the first quarter of 2016;
‒ Electricity segment revenues increased 7.3% to record revenues of $115.8 million, up from $107.9 million in the first quarter of 2016;
‒ Product segment revenues increased 69.5% to $74.1 million, up from $43.7 million in the first quarter of 2016;
• Electricity generation increased 2.2%, compared to the first quarter of 2016, from 1.397 million MWh to 1.428 million MWh;
• Gross margin decreased to 39.2% compared to 42.1% in the first quarter of 2016, due to a lower margin in the Product segment;
• Operating income increased 17.7% to $59.5 million, compared to $50.5 million in the first quarter of 2016;
• Net income attributable to the company’s shareholders of $35.3 million or $0.70 per diluted share, compared to $29.3 million or $0.59 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2017;
• Adjusted EBITDA grew 14.4% to a record of $91.8 million in the first quarter of 2017;
• Declared a quarterly dividend of $0.08 per share for the first quarter of 2017;
• Product segment backlog remains strong at $207.0 million1; added approximately $30 million of new orders2;
• Closed acquisition of substantially all of the business and assets of Viridity Energy, Inc.;
• Commenced commercial operation of the first unit of the Sarulla geothermal power plant, one of the world’s largest geothermal power plants, located in Indonesia’s North Sumatra; and
• ORIX will acquire 22% ownership stake in Ormat from FIMI and Bronicki Investments and simultaneously enter into strategic partnership with Ormat. Closing is expected in the third quarter of 2017.

“This was another good quarter, benefitting from outstanding execution in both our electricity and products segment,” commented Isaac Angel, Chief Executive Officer. “As we have noted, our goal in the electricity segment has been to adjust output at our facilities to maximize efficiency, and the progress we are making in this area is evidenced by the improvement in gross margin to 43.0%. The addition of the Bouillante facility, coupled with full output again at Puna, has helped us increase revenue in the segment by more than 7%. I am encouraged with our progress in this segment.”

Mr. Angel continued, “Our products segment delivered a nearly 70% increase in quarterly sales, due to our progress in projects in New Zealand, China and Turkey. As previously indicated, several of these projects, most notably in Turkey, as well as timing issues related to product deliveries, contributed to lower gross margin which is expected to remain at similar level during 2017. As a result of the improvements we are constantly making to increase efficiencies across our operations, we delivered a record adjusted EBITDA of nearly $92 million.”

Mr. Angel continued, “We recently announced that ORIX will acquire 22% ownership stake in Ormat mainly from FIMI and Bronicki Investments. Simultaneous, we signed a commercial cooperation agreement with ORIX. We see this commercial cooperation agreement as a significant development that will enhance our strategic position, expand our geographic footprint as well as our technological and customer base. ORIX’s global reach and reputation in the energy market serves as a further validation of Ormat’s comprehensive capabilities and track record to a broader market and provides a platform to accelerate our growth.”

http://www.ormat.com/news/latest-items/ormat-technologies-reports-25-increase-revenues-first-quarter-2017

Enel Green Power Awards Two Stars Of Merit For Labour In Geothermal

Geothermal energy confirms itself a major resource for Tuscany. With a ceremony at Palazzo Vecchio in Florence on 1st of May, Labour Day, two Enel Green Power employees, Roberta Bianchi and Fausto Tanzini, were awarded the Star of Merit for Labour, a recognition in the field of innovation and environmental sustainability.

Roberta Bianchi, who was born in 1965 in Montecatini Val di Cecina (Pisa) and lives in Pontasserchio (Pisa), works at Enel Green Power Geothermal, Pisa as Head of support to operation and performance improvement. She is responsible for coordinating all management support activities. She joined Enel in 1986, and in over thirty years of work she has made an important contribution to the financial, management and administrative sectors applied to Geothermal. During her career she dealt with various aspects of the industrial process, from authorisation and verification of investments of new production plants, new geothermal wells and fluid transport networks, to management and control of production and maintenance programmes at plants.

Fausto Tanzini, who was born in 1957 in Castelnuovo Val di Cecina and lives in Sasso Pisano, is Head of Enel Green Power’s Geothermal Maintenance Services Electro-Regulation Team. He has worked at Enel since 1977, making an important contribution in the field of electrical and electronic maintenance, applied to geothermal energy and more generally to power generation plants, dealing in his career with various issues regarding the maintenance, upgrading and repair of electrical machinery and related equipment.

The Head of Enel Green Powers Geothermal, Massimo Montemaggi, complimented his colleagues for an important and well-deserved acknowledgment that honours the commitment and professionalism of both colleagues, the company and the geothermal areas of Pisa and Tuscany, where their professionalism was born and grew.

https://www.enel.it/en/media/news/d201705-enel-green-power-two-stars-of-merit-for-labour.html

Polaris Infrastructure Announces 2017 First Quarter Results

TORONTO, ON–(Marketwired – May 09, 2017) – Polaris Infrastructure Inc. (PIF.TO) (“Polaris Infrastructure” or the “Company”), a Toronto-based company engaged in the operation, acquisition and development of renewable energy projects in Latin America, is pleased to report its financial and operating results for the quarter ended March 31, 2017. This earnings release should be read in conjunction with Polaris Infrastructure’s financial statements and management’s discussion and analysis (“MD&A”), which are available on the Company’s website at www.polarisinfrastructure.com and have been posted on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The dollar figures below are denominated in US Dollars unless noted otherwise.

HIGHLIGHTS

San Jacinto-Tizate Project Highlights

Strong power generation: The San Jacinto-Tizate Power Plant (the “San Jacinto project”) generated 108,894 MWh (net) (an average of 50.4 MW (net)), resulting in revenue of $13.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, versus revenue of $12.6 million on generation of 105,599 MWh (net) (an average of 48.4 MW (net)) in the prior year period. The 6% revenue increase was due to higher average production in 2017 as well as the impact of the 3% annual tariff increase. Absent the impact of downtime associated with turbine maintenance, we estimate average generation and revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2017 would have been 57.4 MW (net) and $15.2 million, respectively.

Strong cash flow generation: Cash flow from operations of $8.9 million resulted in a net cash increase of $2.6 million in the quarter ended March 31 2017, despite the revenue impact from turbine maintenance and after deducting debt service, dividend payment and capital investments. The Company generated Adjusted EBITDA (a non-GAAP measure) of $10.9 million in the three months ended March 31, 2017, a 5% increase from the prior year period, despite the impact of planned downtime in 2017. See Use of Non-GAAP Measures section below for reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to Total income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss).

Successful conclusion of annual turbine maintenance: Comprehensive preventative maintenance was completed on the Unit 4 turbine at the San Jacinto project over the course of three weeks in February 2017. This exercise was completed on schedule and on budget, and leaves the Company well positioned for consistent turbine performance throughout 2017 and 2018, given that the Unit 3 turbine was recently serviced as well, in July 2016. We estimate that downtime associated with turbine maintenance resulted in foregone average power generation of approximately 7 MW (net) in the first quarter of 2017.

Commencement of 2017 Drilling Program: The Company’s wholly-owned operating subsidiary, Polaris Energy Nicaragua S.A. (“PENSA”), which owns and operates the San Jacinto project, commenced drilling of SJ 11-2 on April 29, 2017. SJ 11-2 will be an injection well, providing important additional injection capacity as well flexibility to integrate a binary unit into the San Jacinto project, which is planned for 2018 installation. PENSA plans to commence drilling of a new projection well in July 2017, after findings from various geotechnical surface studies presently underway, have been incorporated.

NREL Releases Mexico Market Geothermal Assessment Report

According to NREL, “This report is intended to help U.S. companies in the geothermal sector understand potential business opportunities created by recent changes in the Mexican energy market and regulatory environment.”

A copy can be downloaded at: http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy17osti/63722.pdf

EU Commission clears the creation of a joint venture by STRABAG and EVN for Development of Deep Geothermal

The European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the acquisition of joint control by STRABAG SE (“STRABAG”) and EVN AG (“EVN”), both of Austria, over the joint venture Projektgesellschaft Geoenergie Bayern Projekt Garching a.d. Alz GmbH & Co. KG, of Germany. The joint venture holds the rights for the development of the deep geothermal energy project “Bruck” in Garching a.d. Alz in Bavaria, which will further develop and generate and supply electricity and district heating to third parties. Moreover, it is expected to develop other deep geothermal projects. STRABAG is active worldwide in all segments of the construction business, especially in structural, construction and civil engineering, as well as road construction. EVN is mainly active in the exploration and production of oil and gas, gas storage and distribution of electricity, gas and district heating. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would not raise competition concerns given that the joint venture has no, or negligible, actual or foreseen activities within the European Economic Area. The transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure. More information is available on the Commission’s competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.8455.

http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEX-17-1244_en.htm

Milestone reached in geothermal deep drilling project

The EU-funded DEEPEGS project has managed to drill 4 659 meters into a geothermal field in what is being described as a ‘significant milestone’ for the geothermal industry.

The results and lessons learned from the drilling process, which took 168 days, have just been published by the EU-funded DEEPEGS (Deployment of Deep Enhanced Geothermal Systems for Sustainable Energy Business) project whose well now has the deepest casing of any in Iceland. The work was done in two phases, the first to deepen an existing, 2 500 metre well to 3 000 metres and then to drill still further to an ultimate depth of 4 659 metres.

The project’s long-term goal is to use deep wells for highly efficient energy production, opening up new dimensions in the use of geothermal as a source. DEEPEGS needed to find supercritical fluid at the bottom of their well as this has a much higher energy content than conventional high-temperature geothermal stream resulting in a more efficient energy source – the project was able to report that it had done so.

Surmounting obstacles and gaining valuable experience

DEEPEGS explains that drilling a well this deep and hot presents challenges that are hard to overcome. As they drilled further down the complexities developed, and since this well went deeper than any that preceded it, DEEPEGS gained new insights into the type of problems that arise.

Extracting drill cores proved particularly difficult, it took 13 attempts to extract 27.3 metres and the last core to remove was at the bottom of a shaft of about 4 500 metres. Conventional drilling methods were not an option, so the project had to develop new means of tacking the challenges. All obstacles apart from the last, circulation loss, were overcome.

The project found the complete loss of circulation below 3 060 metres could not be dealt with through lost circulation materials, or by sealing the loss zone with cement. As a result, drill cores were the only deep rock samples recovered. However, as DEEPEGS set out to drill deep and extract cores, measure temperatures, search for permeability and find fluids at supercritical condition, the main objectives were reached.

So how viable is the source?

DEEPEGS believes the scope for potential utilisation will not be known until the end of 2018 when all research, including substantial well simulation and flow testing, has been conducted. But, says the project, initial indications are positive. The temperature at the bottom of the well has already been measured at 427°C, with fluid pressure of 340 bars, drill cores were retrieved, and the rocks appear to be permeable at depth. If deep, supercritical wells can produce more energy than conventional geothermal wells, fewer will be needed, resulting in the same amount of energy capture for less environmental impact.

For more information, please see: http://cordis.europa.eu/news/rcn/128148_en.html

Daldrup & Söhne AG receives major order for four geothermal drillings from Stadtwerke München

– Drillings are part of Stadtwerke München’s plan to provide 100% of district heating from renewable energies

Grünwald / Ascheberg, Germany, May 3, 2017 – The drilling technology and geothermics specialist Daldrup & Söhne AG (ISIN DE0007830572) has received a major order from Munich-based energy provider Stadtwerke München GmbH (SWM) to drill two geothermal doublers (four deep drillings) for the production of geothermal energy. With a value in the double-digit million range, the order is one of the largest in the company’s history. The drillings will go into a depth of more than 4,000 meters with work to start later this year. The drillings are part of SWM’s vision for district heating, which calls for Munich to be Germany’s first major city whose district heating will be generated entirely through renewable energies by 2040. Geothermal energy from hot thermal water is key to the production of this heating: Munich is located on top of vast supplies of this environmentally friendly energy, which is contained in easily permeable layers of limestone that are part of the geological layers underneath the city.

“SWM has opted for one of Europe’s most experienced geothermics specialists,” says Josef Daldrup, CEO of Daldrup & Söhne AG. “We are excited to support SWM in implementing their 100 percent renewable energies strategy, and to establish geothermal energy as a climate-friendly local heat supplier on an industrial scale for Munich with its more than one million inhabitants.”
BLM completes Environmental Assessment for Dixie Meadows Geothermal Development Project

CARSON CITY, Nev. – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Carson City District, has completed an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Dixie Meadows Geothermal Development Project. The BLM is also seeking public input under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act for the Project. This includes seeking information and identifying historic properties in or near the Project area. Public comments will be accepted through June 8, 2017.

This EA analyzes the potential impacts from the proposed development of this project including the construction of up to two 30 Megawatt net rated geothermal power plants; drilling, testing, and operating up to 15 geothermal production and injection well sites and eight core hole sites; constructing and operating pipelines to carry geothermal fluid between well fields and the power plant(s)s; and constructing either a 120-kilovolt (kV) or a 230-kV gen-tie and associated structures. The geothermal portions of the Project are located within the Combined Dixie Meadows Geothermal Unit Area. It also contains mineral rights to 760 acres of US Navy land known as the Lamb Mineral interests. This project is located on public lands in Churchill and Pershing Counties, Nevada.

A copy of the EA is available in the Carson City District BLM Office and on the project webpage at https://bit.ly/2qWH2MK Please send written comments to: Dave Schroeder, Dixie Meadows EA Project Lead, Stillwater Field Office, 5665 Morgan Mill Road, Carson City, NV 89701. Comments may also be submitted electronically via the EA webpage (under the “Contact Information” section), via email to blm_nv_ccdowebmail@blm.gov or via fax at (775) 885-6147 with the subject heading “Dixie Meadows Geothermal Development EA”.

Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment-including your personal information- may be publicly available at any time. While you ask us in your comment to withhold personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. After the public review period has ended, comments will be analyzed and considered part of the decision-making process. If you have any questions, please contact Jason Wright at (775) 885-6000 or at the above address.

https://www.blm.gov/press-release/blm-completes-environmental-assessment-dixie-meadows-geothermal-development-project
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