Geothermal Power Technology 2009: Green to the Core

Introduction

Geothermal energy is a vast, renewable, low carbon energy source that can be converted to electricity and used to condition building environments. Improved technologies have the potential to access vast untapped geothermal energy sources, which experts estimate contain 50,000 times the energy of all oil and gas resources in the world. The technology can also help to address the critical issues of global warming, pollution and energy independence, and to provide a secure, safe, domestic source of energy.

Current usage of geothermal technologies is limited. As of 2008, geothermal power supplies less than one percent of the world' s energy. Less than half of 1% of United States electrical power is provided utilizing geothermal sources. Iceland derives over a quarter of its electrical output from geothermal sources. The Philippines are nearing 25%. Indonesia, Italy, Mexico and New Zealand all have substantial geothermal power production programs. However, increased development of geothermal technology will improve its acceptance and use by governments, other organizations and electrical utilities worldwide. Current usage of geothermal technologies is limited. As of 2008, geothermal power supplies less than one percent of the world' s energy. Out of the two million heat pumps installed in the United States each year, just over 2 percent are geothermal. However, increased development of geothermal technology will improve its acceptance and use by governments, other organizations, developers and homeowners.

Current geothermal energy production in the United States is a $1.5 billion industry. As the global demand for clean, reliable, renewable energy increases, geothermal energy has become an attractive solution. This is true not only in the United States, where current capacity is about 3,000 megawatts (MW), but at numerous locations around the world. One area of increased emphasis is Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) which offers the possibility of widely expanding the geographic range of geothermal power plant locations.

A 2007 Massachusetts Institute of Technology report calculated the United States' total EGS resources extracted from 3-10 km in depth to be over 13,000 zettajoules (ZJ), of which over 200 ZJ would be extractable. The potential exists to increase this to over 2,000 ZJ with technology improvements. This level of energy production is sufficient to provide the world' s current energy needs for several millennia.

Electricity generated from geothermal power offers a number of advantages:

• Reliability
• Renewability
• Combustion-free
• Very low emissions
• Reduction in global warming
• Domestic economic boon
• Minimal land impact
• Water conservation
• Flexible plant growth

There are some disadvantages to the production of electricity from geothermal sources:

• Limited geographic site locations
• High start-up cost
• Land subsidence may occur
• Poor management can exhaust sites

Tax incentives, subsidies and government policy play a large role in the speed with which geothermal technology is developed and implemented. The new U.S. administration expects to make a large impact on the renewable energy field, including geothermal, with plans to double and quadruple use of renewables in just a few years.

Geothermal Energy Technologies presents a firm understanding of the technical, economic, and market potential of all geothermal technologies. Such an understanding is required to assist decision makers in the identification of the most efficient use of resources. Both historical and projected metrics will be gathered to determine technology improvements and commercialization opportunities. The report will conduct analyses of market, policy, and technology status by evaluating the impacts of research and testing options. Additionally, results of the analyses will provide information to researchers, policy makers, and investors on areas to target for greater cost reduction and market transformation.

Geothermal Energy Technologies contains comprehensive data on the U.S. and global geothermal energy market, including historical (1999- 2008) and forecast (2009- 2013) market size data in terms of number and dollar value of the market, and level of geothermal energy production. The report identifies key trends affecting the marketplace and significant drivers of growth, and includes profiles of major marketers and producers.

The information in Geothermal Energy Technologies is based on data from the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Census Bureau, along with information from trade associations such as the Geothermal Energy Association, U.S. Department of Energy, business journals, company literature and websites, and research services such as Simmons Market Research Bureau.

Geothermal Energy Technologies makes important predictions and recommendations regarding the future of this market, and pinpoints ways current and prospective players can capitalize on current trends and spearhead new ones. No other market research report provides both the comprehensive analysis and extensive data that Geothermal Energy Technologies offers. Plus, you' ll benefit from timely and accurate information presented in easy-to-read and practical charts, tables and graphs.

• In-depth description of geothermal electrical power generation technologies currently in use including: Dry Steam, Flash Steam, Binary Cycle, Enhanced Geothermal, Hot Dry Rock, Direct Use and others.
• Key trends and issues.
• Current (2008) market size and forecast of market size through 2013.
• Review of drivers and influencers of demand and assessment of their impact on future demand.
• Marketplace acceptance of alternative energy.
• Legal and regulatory requirements and recent changes with the new U.S. administration.
• In-depth profiles of leading participants within the industry including background, product portfolio, financial performance, M & A activity, technology development, strategic direction and key personnel changes

This report will help:

• Marketing managers identify market opportunities and develop targeted promotion plans for geothermal products.
• Research and development professionals stay on top of competitor initiatives and explore demand for geothermal energy generation technology.
• Advertising agencies working with clients in the energy and HVAC industries to develop messages and images that compel companies, organizations and municipalities to purchase geothermal systems and components.
• Business development executives understand the dynamics of the market and identify possible partnerships.
• Information and research center librarians provide market researchers, product managers and other colleagues with the vital information they need to do their jobs more effectively.

If your company is already doing business in the geothermal energy market, or is considering making the leap, you will find this report invaluable, as it provides a comprehensive package of information and insight not offered in any other single source. You will gain a thorough understanding of the current market for geothermal technologies, as well as projected markets and trends through 2013.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Executive Summary

• Overview
• Geothermal Power Market Size and Growth
• Trends and Opportunities
• Market Barriers
• Summary

Chapter 2: Geothermal Power Technologies

• Traditional Energy Technologies (Competitors)
• Geothermal Power Advantages/Disadvantages
• Types of Geothermal Power Technologies
  • Dry Steam
  • Flash Steam
  • Binary Cycle
  • Enhanced Geothermal Systems
  • Hot Dry Rocks System
  • Other Power Technologies
  • Direct Use of Geothermal

Chapter 3: Market Size and Growth

• U.S. Geothermal Power Market Forecast (2009-2013)
• World Geothermal Power Market Forecast (2009-2013)
• Factors Affecting Production
• Worldwide Installations/Applications
  • United States
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • China
  • Costa Rica
  • El Salvador
  • France
  • Germany
  • Guatemala
  • Iceland
  • Indonesia
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Kenya
  • Mexico
  • New Zealand
  • Papua - New Guinea
  • Philippines
  • Portugal
  • Russia
  • Turkey
  • United Kingdom
  • West Indies
• Equipment Manufacturers

Chapter 4: Market Trends

• Economic Benefits
• Energy Plant and Power Cost
• Electrical Energy Environment
• Economic Conditions
• Government Incentives and Policy
• Political/Security Issues
• Environmental Issues
• Market Barriers
• Global Demand for Geothermal Energy
• Regional Market Trends
  • North America
  • United States
  • Canada
  • Mexico
  • Central and South America
  • El Salvador
  • Costa Rica
  • Guatemala
  • Nicaragua
  • South America
  • Asia
  • Indonesia
  • Japan
  • Philippines
  • Russia
  • Turkey
  • Australia / Oceania
  • New Zealand
  • Europe
  • Germany
  • Iceland
  • Italy
  • Africa
  • Kenya

Chapter 5: Product and Industry Trends

• New Technologies in Geothermal Power
• Newer Geothermal Power Systems
• Geothermal Power Patents Awarded
• Geothermal Power Investment
• Geothermal Energy Awards
• Recent Developments

Chapter 6: Company Profiles

• Background
• Product Portfolio
• Financial Performance
• Company News
• Acquisitions and Divestitures
• Technology & Innovation
• Strategic Direction
• Personnel Changes

• Calpine
• Chevron Corporation
• Davenport Power, LLC
• Enel North America, Inc.
• Fuji Electric Systems Co., Ltd.
• Geothermal Development Associates
• MidAmerican Energy Holdings
• Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
• Nevada Geothermal Power Inc.
• Northern California Power Agency
• Nuovo Pignone
• Ormat
• Sierra Geothermal Power Corp.
• Terra-Gen Power

List of Figures

• Figure 1-1 Worldwide Geothermal Power Fields
• Figure 1-2 Basic Principle of an EGS Geothermal Power Plant
• Figure 1-3 Projected US Sales of Electrical Energy to 2013
• Figure 1-4 Country Shares of World Geothermal Energy Market
• Figure 2-1 US Electrical Energy Consumption by Technology, 2008
• Figure 2-2 World Energy Share of Selected Country Electrical Production 20007
• Figure 2-3 Worldwide Geothermal Power Plants by Technology, 2008
• Figure 2-4 Diagram of a Dry Steam Geothermal Plant
• Figure 2-5 Diagram of a Flash Steam Geothermal Plant
• Figure 2-6 Diagram of a Binary Cycle Geothermal Plant
• Figure 3-1 Confirmed Geothermal Projects, US, 2006-2009
• Figure 3-2 Identified Geothermal Resources in the United States, 2008
• Figure 3-3 Undiscovered Geothermal Resources in the United States, 2008
• Figure 3-4 US Geothermal Power Consumption, 2003-2008
• Figure 3-5 Potential for Geothermal Growth with EGS Success
• Figure 3-6 Projected US Sales of Electrical Energy to 2013
• Figure 3-7 Geothermal Natural Resources in the United States
• Figure 3-8 Country Shares of World Geothermal Energy Market
• Figure 4-1 Economic Multiplier Effect Illustrated
• Figure 4-2 US Electrical Energy Production Growth, 1950-2030
• Figure 4-3 US Geothermal Power Production to 2025, MWe
• Figure 4-4 World Geothermal Power Production to 2010, MWe
• Figure 4-5 Countries with Geothermal Electrical Plants Producing Power

List of Tables

• Table 1-1 Performance Characteristics of US Electrical Generation Technologies
• Table 1-2 Summary of Advantages of Geothermal Power
• Table 1-3 Summary of Disadvantages of Geothermal Power
• Table 1-4 Estimated Geothermal Power Production in 2010
• Table 1-5 Geothermal Power Plant Market Barriers
• Table 2-1 Comparison of Factors in US Electrical Generation Technologies
• Table 2-2 Summary of Advantages of Geothermal Power
• Table 2-3 Summary of Disadvantages of Geothermal Power
• Table 2-4 US Geothermal Power Products Underway by State, 2009
• Table 3-1 US Electricity Generation Market Share, 2008
• Table 3-2 US Electricity Generation by Fuel, 2004-2009
• Table 3-3 US Electricity Cost by Energy Source, 2007
• Table 3-4 US Geothermal Power Production Projected by State, 2008
• Table 3-5 Geothermal Power Projects Underway in the United States, 2008
• Table 3-6 Estimated Geothermal Energy Production in 2010
• Table 3-7 World' s Largest Geothermal Fields
• Table 3-8 Number and Capacity of Units Supplied by Manufacturers of Geothermal Power Plants, 2000-2009
• Table 4-1 Load Capacity for Electrical Plants by Type
• Table 4-2 Power Plant Costs and Energy Charges
• Table 4-3 Electrical Installed Capacity by Country, 1980-2005
• Table 4-4 EU Renewable Energy Goals by 2020
• Table 4-5 Geothermal Power Plant Market Barriers
• Table 4-6 US Geothermal Projects in Development as of 2008
• Table 6-1 Description of Profiled Companies

Geothermal Power Technology 2009: Green to the Core published by Priority Metrics Group in July 27, 2009. This report consists of 200+ PAGES (including 45 tables and charts) and the price starts from US $ 3950.