Prof D Chandrasekharam

China, about two years ago,  launched US$265 million Ozone and climate change project (HCFC= hydrochlofluorocarbons- Phase-out Management Plan: HPMP). China Ministry of Environmental protection launched this project to  phase out (HCFCs) by January 2015.  As on date the country is plan schedule is on track and it will meet the target by 2015!!! Even though this policy is going to affect industrial production,  whose total output amounts to billions of Renminbi, 100 large companies, that produce and use HCFCs, guaranteed their support to the programme. In addition, several companies like  room air conditioning, industrial and commercial refrigeration sectors pledged their support and agreed to change their production strategy to accommodate HPMP plan. China produces 70% of world HCFC production and consumes 50% of total consumption of HCFC among the developing countries. The consumption is mainly in air-conditioners, industrial and commercial refrigeration sectors. By this act China will be implementing successfully Montreal Protocol.

What is the secret of China’s vision in launching this mission?

The secret lies in China’s determination in implementing GSHP ( Ground Source Heat Pump; Ground Coupled Heat Pump-GCHP; Ground Heat Pump- GHP; Groundwater Heat Pump-GWHP….all mean the same) systems to cool or heat space and reduce CO₂ as well as HCFC emissions. GSHP is able to completely off-set air conditioning  systems and provide heat to regions with adverse cold climatic conditions. These systems use ground heat, groundwater, surface water as heat source and sink. GSHPs are more efficient than conventional air-conditioning systems because earth provides  lower temperature for cooling and higher temperature for heating with minimum temperature fluctuation relative to the air temperature fluctuation. GSHP being renewable technology and have very low environmental impact due to low CO₂ emissions, it has attracted several countries, with China being the leader in using and developing this technology. The technology is very matured and systems can be installed adopting the local temperature variations. According to the reports published in the World Geothermal Congress 2010, up to the year 2010 (ending December 2009) the installed capacity of GSHP in the world is 50583  MWt and the energy generated was 438071 TJ/year (121696 GWh/y: CF of 0.27). The country that has the highest installed capacity of GSHP is USA (12611 MWt) followed by China ( 8898 MWt).  In China the amount of utilizable geothermal energy (for space cooling and heating) at shallow depths, according to a news  published in “Renewable Energy World.com” in 2011, is equivalent to about 350 million tons of standard coal, which is equivalent to 2.8 million GWh of electricity. If this energy source is tapped, then this will reduce emission of 500 million tons of CO₂ by avoiding to mine 250 million tons of coal. The extractable geothermal energy in China’s 12 major geothermal provinces is equivalent to about 853 billion tons of standard coal that could generate seven billion GWh of electric power!! Use of this source will reduce CO₂ emissions by 1.3 billion tons. GSHP projects in China.

China is using its GSHP technology to adjust/ modify its energy structure to reduce CO₂ and other GHG emissions. Today in China research on GSHP technology is given top priority with full government support. Thus academic institutions, industries and companies are enjoying a boom with regard to this technology and it is paying rich dividends to the country today. According a paper published in the Proceedings of the World Geothermal Congress 2010, China has proved its supremacy in GSHP technology by providing 26% of energy to the Olympic Games in 2008 from geothermal sources. Excellent examples where such GSHP technology in the Olympic games is seen from the Olympic tennis courts, the National Olympic Stadium ( Bird’s nest), National Swimming Centre and Olympic Gymnastics Hall and Badminton Hall. Besides this, the hostels for the athletes were also temperature controlled through GSHPs. For the tennis courts, 35 holes were drilled within a 7 x7m layout. This GHP unit has 138.2 kW heating capacity ( in put power 37.5 kW) and cooling capacity of 139.6 kW (in put power 32 kW). The Olympic National Stadium (Bird’s Nest) drilled 140 holes with depth of 80-100 m. With such a strong GSHP technology in hand, it is not surprising to read about China’s determination to reduce CO₂ emissions and phase out HCFC by 2015 by adopting clean technology for space heating and cooling.  China has started pilot investigation on  EGS (Enhanced Geothermal Systems). By the 2020 the country should be in a position to perfect EGS and be the first country in South-East Asia to reduce CO₂ and HCFC by 50%.  What ever be said and done, the country, its policies, the scientific and technical force are determined to meets its commitment made in public fore.

Although India has sufficiently large geothermal resources, conventional HAVC is ruling the space cooling sector..whether it is domestic or commercial establishments. Over 33% of electricity generated from coal fired thermal power plants is consumed by building sector amounting to 245 million MWh. A major part of this electricity is used for space cooling, refrigeration and hot water supply.   This amounts emission of 234 billion kg of CO₂. India should learn lessons from its neighbour-China and implement the established GSHP technology and reduces the above amount of GHGs. India has the know and resources. What it needs is mind-set. Like China, India too has varied weather zones from north to south. GSHP can be used for heating space and cooling space wherever needed. The builder’s lobby is very apprehensive of accepting this technology and are heavily influenced by HAVC companies. The concept of “green buildings” what the builders talk about is related to making the building eco-friendly based on  solar water heaters, solar PV for out door lighting, water conservation methods ( wastewater treatment and recycling of water) and recharge of aquifers, lead free tiles and lead free paint, using smoke-less chullahs etc. etc. However, the response to such buildings seems to be poor. The reason- cost and payback period.  Only the customer and the builders know the inner details of such buildings and the cost and the demand. These data and designs are good for a research paper or an article in a design magazine, or can be experimented with in rural and remote inaccessible areas, where lighting two bulbs itself a matter of privilege. For a more holistic view the designers and builders have to learn a lot from Chinese and the European builders where cost and energy savings that in turn reduces CO₂ emission. A four member, upper middle class family needs minimum of 500 kWh of electric power per month to have a comfortable living. This is without the luxury of having air-conditioning, microwave and limited use of Geyser system,. This will meet the bare minimum for the family. Extending this to a housing complex with 50 apartments, the minimum electric power requirement will be of the order of 40 kWe ( assuming the electric supply is from coal based power plants). Installing solar PV system over such housing complex is feasible but the cost of unit of power will be prohibitive (~ 37 US cents). Even with subsidies, the unit cost ( ~24 US cents) can not be brought down to  single digit!! The area required to generate such power based on solar PV will be about 3000 sq.ft ( assuming a PLF of 0.18 but this is not so always and the average PLF can be about 0.08).  Of course at least 10 invertors are required. Any surge of power will trip the system. The buildings will not have air conditioning system……..that was considered a luxury a decade ago but it has become necessity now with the amount of dust particles floating in any major urban city and radiation from the buildings ( green cover is fading away)!!.

Clean Development Mechanism is an excellent instrument for India to raise above all the non-OECD countries in reducing  carbon emissions, earning carbon credits, improving the environmental and GDP growth in the next two decade provided it uses energy source mix and exploits its geothermal potential to its maximum. In order to exploit the potential barriers that obstruct the development of this energy source should be overcome and create or improve policies on sustainable renewable energies like those adopted by other countries like China.

Green buildings can be built by utilizing earth’s internal heat through geothermal heat pumps for space heating and cooling. Instead of installing solar heaters for hot waters, solar PV for lighting, using chullahs for cooking, installing biogas plants in the buildings, avoiding lead tiles and paints in the buildings, straight away 33% of electric power from coal power can be offset through geothermal both for electric power and space cooling. Cost is comparable to coal based electric power and urban elite can enjoy their comfort and still save carbon dioxide emissions and help the country to earn CER amounting to several millions of euros (World Geothermal Congress, 2010). Carbon trade with OECD countries can be avoided.

GSHP Systems can be bought off the shelf and there is sufficient knowledge base available in the country. GSHPs can be installed anywhere and is very cost effective.   Perhaps the NGO who showcased the green building should have known the existence of such systems in the world. We should provide what is feasible and adoptable easily to the consumer rather than suggesting high end solutions to the builders. Leave the wastewater treatment systems to central agencies. Maintaining such systems will add to the cost of the utility bills. When an easy alternate system that can create a green building without compromising comforts and routine is available why go for systems that needs time and energy of the urban residents during the week ends!

According to the latest issue “Electric Power Monthly” published by EIA, until June 2013 renewable provided 14.2 % of net electricity compared to the same period last year globally (13.57%).  It is an encouraging news though it is not a quantum jump. Geothermal is catching up with a growth rate of 1% from 0.43%. Coal still rules the roost with 39% followed by oil and gas at 26%. Job market is high for the renewables with 166 jobs being announced for geothermal. This is natural since technology to drill deep into earth’s crust has advanced and drilling to depth of 3 to 4 km in hard-rocks has become an easy task.

Packers Plus Energy Services Inc., in collaboration with Geodynamics Limited, designed  specialized equipment that is  capable of withstanding 300°C and 69 MPa pressure.. This is a tremendous technology development that makes future EGS project more lucrative. This equipment is a “must” for EGS developers, which involves stimulation into the existing low permeability fractures in rocks with high temperature. Suitable especially for the high heat generating granites. The Geodynamics have started generating 1 MWe through EGS from Habanero well 4 which taping the heat from about 4.2 km in granite.  With the commissioning of Habanero and Slutz plants, it is now certain that electricity can be generated from deep granites anywhere on the earth. This is a break through: the amount of energy available in these granites is enormous. To count a few, Indian granites have the potential to generate energy equivalent to 3.133 x 10²² BTU.  Even if 2 % of this energy is tapped, the country’s electricity deficit can be wiped-out in a short period of time. Once such perennial, based load power is available, then this automatically increases the GDP, socio-economic situation of the countries, reduces CO₂ emission in a big way and controls the  micro climate system.

Experiments on fracture pattern in Bundelkhand granites at different temperatures ( 300 °C) and pressures (60 MP) have yielded interesting results and are encouraging. These granites buried below the Deccan volcanic flows and Gondwana sediments at depths varying from 2 to 3 km recorded temperatures varying from 160 to 200 °C.  Similarly, the Rajasthan granites recorded heat generation value over 17 µWm^-3, perhaps the highest ever recorded for granites from central Indian province. The heat flow value obtained here is greater than 100 mWm^-2. These are treasure energy sources that will mitigate CO₂ emissions from fossil fuel based  power plants and secure energy for the economic growth of India.  If developed, the EGS source will help India to reduce CO₂ emissions to a large extent.   As has been reported earlier in World Geothermal Congress 2010 at Bali, India provides  excellent opportunity to initiate experimental EGS projects in several parts of the country. Unlike other energy sources like wind, solar pv and nuclear, this energy source has no issues related to land requirement, health and environment and baseload power supply.  The challenges that geologists faced in 2000 are now addressed by technological development and now only the technology needs fine tuning. Geodynamics has mastered the technology and are going global.  Energy for our future generations is secured. This will happen soon. Every country will be  energy independent  in the next century.

A recent publication, “The Future of Geothermal Energy – Impact of Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) on the United States in the 21th Century“, determined a large potential for the USA: recoverable resources > 200,000 EJ, corresponding to 2,000 times the annual primary energy demand. An EGS power generation capacity of >100,000 MWe could be established by the year 2050 with an investment volume of 0.8 – 1 billion USD. This publication presents marketable electricity prices based on economic models that need to be substantiated by EGS realizations. Since the temperature increases with depth everywhere, in future EGS could generate electricity in our backyard! The technology is being perfected with the commissioning of 1.5 MWe pilot EGS power plant in France and as said above 1 MWe in Australia.  EGS plants, once operational, can be expected to have great environmental benefits (negligible CO₂ emissions. See figure below).

Some environmental issues like the chance of triggering major earthquakes  is unfounded. There is an ongoing media hype about earthquakes possibly being induced by EGS projects. One of the leading American Geothermal Company believes “fears to appear overblown”. Concerns about earthquakes are realistic, but from a public hazard point of view, the earthquakes should not be a big concern since the magnitude will be around 2 to 2.5 says United States Geological Survey Geologists. Human being will never feel such low magnitude earthquake even while stationary. Such small magnitude earthquakes will occur only during well stimulation period ( which will be about 2 weeks) that creates fractures for easy flow of the injected water.   In fact millions of earthquakes do occur across the world of this magnitude unnoticed by humans. Earth is indeed a dynamic systems and such events are normal. People should get educated on such fundamental truths. This is not a great barrier. Barriers like grid connectivity, capital investment, payback period and amount, tax benefits that hamper the growth of other renewables have little influence on geothermal source…………whether it is hydrothermal or EGS.  Geothermal can operate either on single large power grid system or it can operate on a local grid connected to small communities. Geothermal systems, unlike other renewables, can operate 24 x 7 with capacity to supply base load electricity. The life of a geothermal power plants is quite large……….the Larderello power plant that started in 1904 is still generating electricity!!  In geothermal, only drilling cost takes away nearly 45% of the CAPEX. But, the advantage is, once the field starts generating electricity, then there is no turning back.  In the case of other renewables, land takes away more than 60 to 70 % of the CAPEX and land acquisition runs in to political and  sociological issues. Geothermal power plants need 1 acre/MWe, while solar pv and wind need  7 and 3 acre/MWe respectively. Payback period in the case of geothermal is 4 to five years for a 20 to 25 MWe power plant. This a great advantage since financial institutions will be able lend large amounts for seting up geothermal power plants. This is not the case with other renewbles.  Large subsidies given to other renewables is not able to attract the financial institutions. Long  payback period is a deterrant to financial instutions.  In the case of solar pv, wind and geothermal, the source is free. But issues related to intermediate componants in the case of solar pv and Nd element in the cas of wind turbines bring geotehrmal in the driving seat. Thus a large capital expenditure is spent on R and D to develop low cost intermediate componants. Once the EGS  technology is pefected, major grid system of power distribution will be a thing of the past.  The biggest barrier in the case of geothermal is ‘mind set’.

Accarding  to the World Geothermal Congress report (2010),  the world is generating over 40,000 Gwh of electriciy and is projected to geenerate over 70,000 Gwh by 2015. Like “slow and steady wins the race” geothermal progressing at the rate of 4% / year. This is remarkable growth and soon this source will outbeat otherr renewable sources.

Geothermal power projects, typically  takes about 18 to 20 months to take off ( from exploration to drilling and powr plant comisioning). Drilling takes a large chunk of time. The market is hot now with dveloping countris, like East African rift countries and Central American countries, focusing on geothermal. Many of the geothermal companies are migrating to African countrirs leaving domestic market due to high expansion programme in African and MENA countries with the financial support from world financial institutions like USAID andd WORLD BANK.

Karl Gawell, executive director of the GEA, in a recent statement said that many developing countries have realized the potential of geothermal and decided to develop the same for two main reasons- 1). for economic growth and industrial growth these countries need uninterrupted electric power  and  2). many countries are introducing policies to reduce carbon dioxide emission. The geothermal market in MENA countries is upbeat and over one hundred geothermal companies from USA, Europe and South Asia are moving to East Africa to participate in bids for geothermal power project. These companies were engaged in domestic market about an year ago ! The project that were considered not feasible about five years ago are now becoming importation. Thanks to the advancement made in drilling and heat exchanger technology.  Low to medium enthalpy geothermal resources are attracting large number of investors globally,  As has been explained in the  book ” Low enthalpy geothermal resources for power generation” published by Taylor and Francis, the LEGR are cost effective and can support millions of rural population when connected to local grid system. Scientists and engineers in developing countries are converting “ideas” into “reality”. This will change the life of millions living in the rural areas who, in some countries like India, have not see an electric bulb.

Little known Lake Abhe has hit the stands recently with the publication of  its large geothermal energy resources This little known location did not attract the attention of the geothermal scienist because of its remote location and  the clout Assal had in the past. Assal geothermal site is often visited by international community due to its proximity to an urban Djibouti while L.Abhe is remote and one has to camp in local tents braving heat and local harsh environment. Althouh the CERD scientists did publish preliminary reports, due to non availability of the report several people did not venture into the site until M/s GeoSyndicate submitted a proposal to develop this site to the Govt. Djibouti couple of years ago. Now with a detailed field work results and sample data, a detailed scientific paper has appeared in an international journal of repute.

The most interesting thing is its proximity to the Tendaho geothermal site that is being developed as a major geothermal power station.  Geology and structure indicate that both the sites are indeed related to the volcanoes surrounding the region. By virtue of its location in a rift valley surrounded by active volcanoes, this site cannot be ignored. It is estimated that this site an generate electricity of the order of ∼ 120 × 10⁶ kWh which is a huge support to lift the socio-economic status of the rural Djibouti. This area has plenty of water and. Developing this site would mean developing the entire Afar countries. The Govt. should step in and request international agencies for funds to develop this under developed country.

Djibouti imports 100 % oil to support its growth.  Developing this renewable low carbon emergy source will benefit the country in mitigating CO2 emissions and support sustainable development

International Geothermal Association held its 56th Board of Director’s meet on 29 April and 1st May 2013 at Leh, Ladakh.  14 BoD attended the meeting.

Board of Directors during a brief break 30 April 2013

Mr. Rigzin Jora, Minister for Rural Development inaugurated the meet. While welcoming the Board of Directors and members in Leh,  Mr. Jora said that geothermal power generation is absolutely a new concept for the people of this region.

Honbl. Minister Rigzin Jora addressing the Board, IGA at Leh

The minister informed about the past attempts made at Puga to generate geothermal power and the potential of geothermal energy in Panamik of Nubra region. He said that M/s GeoSyndicate prepared a  detailed project report to generate power from Puga geothermal site with his suggestion to incorporate the transmission line cost within the project cost.

Prof D Chandrasekharam briefing the minister

Prof. D Chandrasekharam apprised the minister about IGA and its functions. Established in 1998 IGA is Scientific, Educational, Cultural and Industrial organization having a special consultative status for United Nations. IGA gas more than 6000 members from 65 countries across the world with its main objective being promotion of Geothermal Energy for power generation and direct application. IGA has 33 elected board of directors and the BoD meet twice in a year in any of the member countries. Prof. D Chandrasekharam, Chair Professor at IIT Bombay and Chairman, GeoSyndicate Power Pvt. Ltd., is the first Indian to be elected to the IGA Board in 2010.

IGA BoD at Puga

Dr Rolf Brake discussing with Prof D Chandrasekharam at Puga

Having lunch break after fieldwork at Puga

As a part of the meeting, all the members visited Puga and Chummatang geothermal sites. M/S GeoSyndicate is the first and only geothermal company in India incubated from IIT Bombay ( see www.geosyndicate.com). GeoSyndicate has signed a PPA from Andhra Pradesh Govt. to develop 25 MWe from the Godavari rift geothermal province. The company is awaiting power tariff agreement from the Govt. GeoSyndicate has also   signed an MoU with the Govt. of Gujarat to develop geothermal power in Gujarat.

November 21 to 23, 2012 saw a great change in energy security and energy independence  to all the EAR countries. The African Rift Geothermal Conference ( ARGeo) held in UN Gigiri Complex, Nairobi, brought together  the energy ministers of all the East African Rift countries together. The main focus is to develop > 7000 MWe ( Geothermal Energy Agency estimate) of geothermal lying untapped in the rift valley by 2030 and make Kenya energy surplus and energy independent . This is going to change the life and socio-economic status of the entire East African Countries starved of electric power. ARGeo  Project was founded in 2003 to develop the untapped geothermal energy  potential in the Eastern Africa region, extending from Djibouti to Tanzania. The ARGeo Project’s objective is to promote geothermal energy development and utilization. The project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

ARGeo C4 Nairobi.

Speaking at the conference, Hble. Energy  Minister of Kenya Kiraitu Murungai, said that Kenya is committed to exploit its large untapped geothermal energy and expects to enhance the power generation from the present 200 MWe to 5000 MWe by 2030 and bring in power to all the rural areas of Kenya and neighbouring countries.  Though some think this is a wish list, but in reality Kenya  has such energy mine lying untapped. Being in a rift valley that is active with a high heat flow and geothermal gradient, more than that mentioned above is available along the entire rift geothermal province extending from Djibouti to Tanzania.

Hble. Energy  Minister of Kenya Kiraitu Murungai

The MD and CEO of GDC, Dr Silas Simiyu, speaking during his welcome address  at the dinner hosted by GDC at “The Carnivore” said that GDC is keen in bringing in several international partners to develop the geothermal sector on Kenya rather than a single partner.  This is a good and strategic initiative taken by GDC to foster competition and transparency and play down monopoly by a few developers and investors.  The Kenyan geothermal energy potential is distributed in 14 sites that have been already identified (ready for tender) and is expecting a apital investment of US$ 18 billion. With this initiative geothermal power contribution in Kenya;s electricity will increase to 30% from the present 13%.

Dr Silas Simiyu

Mr Kiraitu Murungai is quick in his words and thoughts and deeds. Kenyan Ambassador to US, Mr Elkhana Odembo has been invited to give a key note address at the prestigious forthcoming International Geothermal Energy Finance Forum in April 2013.

 Now new era has emerged in Kenya’s power scenario with World Bank stepping in to bring in financial aid from financial sector to develop geothermal. According to a report US$ 166 million Partial Risk Guarantees in place to develop geothermal. International Finance Corporation is lending long term debt for geothermal. With this future expansion plan, Kenya will have surplus electricity and will be in a position to support other neighbouring states like Uganda and Tanzania until these countries will be in a position to exploit its EGS resources in future from high heat generating granites like the Singo granite. A rough estimate shows that 1 sq.km granites of this category are capable of 24464 x 10¹² kWh of electricity.  African countries are in a position to become energy independent compared to other Asian countries by tapping its geothermal resources and become a leader in implementing CO₂ mitigation and CDM strategies.

Although Kenyans society like to have a high quality life through continuous electricity supply, the per capita electricity consumption of Kenya is only 121 kWr while other African countries like the South Africa has a very high per capita electricity consumption ( ~4500 kWr). 29% of rural population in Kenya get electricity and the electricity connection growth rate is about 15%. This rate is very high compared to its neighbouring country, Ethiopia, where the electricity connection growth rate is about 4% even though Ethiopia has geothermal potential equal to that of Kenya.  All this is happening due to change in Government’s policy with regard to energy sector. Kenya’s energy sector was restructured following country’s energy act of 2006 that brings more players on board. The Ministry of Energy is responsible for policy and overall guidance of the sector.

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) looks after  all regulatory functions like energy planning, tariff setting and monitoring and enforcement of regulations. Energy Tribunal looks after dispute arising from decisions made by the Energy Regulatory Commission.

The Geothermal Development Company (GDC) incorporated in 2008, is a Government Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) entrusted with a variety of tasks that include  surface exploration of geothermal fields, undertake exploratory, appraisal and production drilling, develop and manage proven steam fields and enter into steam sales or joint development agreements with investors in the geothermal sector.

The Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) is the main generator of electricity in Kenya with a current installed capacity of about 1,180W (about 72%, that include all energy sources). By 2014 KenGen set a target of generating 1600 MWe and realised geothermal as the most promising base load supplying energy source and laying large thrust in developing this field through IPPs. as on date 28% of electricity through geothermal is being generated by IPPS.  While the central power plant hosts three 33.5 MWe generators, there are couple of binary plants installed at the well head each well head generating 6 MWe

Besides electric power, Olkaria has an exclusive well that is used for greenhouse cultivation of roses at Oserian  that generates a large foreign component.. Although this well cn generate 6 MWe it is being used for cultivating the roses that fetches huge foreign exchange.

In the coming decade Kenya is going to be the leader in geothermal among the eastern African countries and will become a role model in CDM development and becoming energy independent country.