Renewable Energy, in its latest geothermal podcast, looks at transmission and other current issues of geothermal power development through some interviews with Lisa Shevenell of the Great Basin Center, Alison Thompson of CanGEA and Erik Swenson of a U.S. law firm.

As part of the podcast, the editor Stephen Lacey describes “a new influx of public and private capital. After more than a decade of almost no activity in the U.S. geothermal sector, we’re finally seeing a lot of new plants being developed. The problem is, many of them may not move forward because of a lack of transmission.

But transmission is not the only issue. In this podcast, we’ll look at how factors like resource evaluation, lack of government support and industry marketing have held back the industry — and how industry professionals are addressing these factors to make sure geothermal becomes a major piece of our global baseload power mix.

Lisa Shevenell, a hydrologist with the Great Basin Center for Geothermal Energy, talks about why the industry is coming out of a dark age of almost no geothermal development. She’ll also tell us about a new tool that makes it easier and less costly to examine potential resources.

Alison Thompson, executive director of the Canadian Geothermal Energy Association, discusses the reasons why Canada has no geothermal power plants, despite having numerous public companies in the country. She’ll also talk about the “brain drain” of Canadian talent down to the U.S.

Finally, Erik Swenson, a partner with the international law firm Fulbright and Jaworski, describes the need for a national transmission system for integrating more renewables. He’ll tell us why it’s not as easy as many proponents make it seem.”

Podcast Link

Source: Renewable Energy World

1 Comment

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   Calistus NdongoliPosted Nov 28th 2009 8:10 am

   AS we fast track the geothermal concept into realization of green energy within the span of 3-10 years in kenya . I would like to point out that, based on the Spirit behind the implementation of Geothermal energy generation; its almost real that we will have energy soon. My concern to similar effort is how will we get this power to the national grid system, it has been admitted being a big challenge in countries like USA currently . I know it takes a lot of processes of environmental study and approvals for High Voltage Transmission Lines to be build, as well resettlement action plan and mitigation/compensation issues to the affected locals. Therefore its my appeal that priority be given for building this Transmission line around Olkaria Domes,Longonot, Suswa, and subsequently similar ready plan around north rift by KETRCO so that we be able to utilize already tested wells that are now within appraisal stage.
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