Global alliance launched to boost geothermal in energy mix

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) said it has facilitated the development of the Global Geothermal Alliance to increase the share of geothermal energy in the global energy mix. Launched on Dec. 8 during an event at the 21st Conference of Parties in Paris, the alliance is made up of a coalition of 38 countries and about 20 development and industry partners.

The alliance seeks to achieve a 500 percent increase in global installed capacity for geothermal power generation and a 200 percent increase in geothermal heating by 2030. “Geothermal has proven its potential to be part of both the global climate and energy action agenda,” IRENA Director-General Adnan Amin said in a statement. “While geothermal can provide baseload power at some of the lowest costs for any power source, it remains under-developed. The Global Geothermal Alliance will provide a platform for partners to share best practices, further reduce costs and get the most benefit out of this sustainable energy resource.”

According to IRENA, only 13 GW of installed geothermal capacity exist worldwide. The alliance will work to overcome high upfront costs of surface geophysical studies and exploratory drilling by mitigating risks, promoting technological cooperation, coordinating regional and national initiatives, and facilitating geothermal energy investments into energy markets.

Member countries listed in the Joint Communication on the Global Geothermal Alliance are: Burundi, Comoros, El Salvador, France, Guatemala, Iceland, Indonesia, Italy, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Poland, Saint Vincent & Grenadines, Solomon Islands, Switzerland, Tanzania, Tonga, Turkey, Uganda, United States, Vanuatu, Zimbabwe. 

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2015/12/global-alliance-launched-to-boost-geothermal-in-energy-mix.html