In collaboration with the COP26 Climate Champions team and SME Climate Hub, a group of renewable industry associations (Global Wind Energy Council, Global Solar Council, International Geothermal Association and International Hydropower Association) is supporting renewable small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to join the UN Race to Zero campaign!

The SME Climate Hub, an initiative of the International Chamber of Commerce, the Exponential Roadmap Initiative, the We Mean Business coalition and the UN Race to Zero campaign, is a pioneering platform that aims to streamline the path for SMEs to become climate-resilient businesses and help green solutions get to market.

The SME Climate Hub will allow your small business to:

  • Make an internationally recognised climate commitment that meets the UN net zero criteria;
  • Access practical tools and resources to help you future-proof your business; and
  • Benefit from incentives with commercial value.

Who should join this workshop?

  • SMEs of less than 500 employees globally in the wind, solar and renewables sector
  • SMEs interested in making a net-zero commitment, and seeking further resources and support
  • SMEs intent on making a net-zero commitment, and seeking to maximise visibility and
    communications opportunities

Please register here by Monday 17 May 2021. We are looking forward to engaging with you at this workshop in May, and accelerating the Race to Zero as a renewables sector.

The second virtual event of the World Geothermal Congress – Geosciences takes place on 11-12 May 2021.

Join us live and learn more about new trends and innovations in geology, geophysics, geochemistry, hydrogeology, exploration, resource assessment and other topics.

Join the event now: www.wgc2020.com

The International Geothermal Association is happy to welcome Vallourec as a new corporate member to our global industry network.

The IGA is putting together several task forces on standards and practices for geothermal energy and we are delighted to see the support and commitment from such a strong industry partner as Vallourec.

Further developing geothermal energy will require standardizing existing practices in order to increase efficiency and reduce the capital expenditures needed to develop new projects. Vallourec is proud to bring its long standing expertise of Oil & Gas and geothermal wells to the IGA and is eager to contribute to its standarization efforts.

Pierre Etienne Bougon, Business Development Manager at Vallourec

Vallourec is a world leader in premium tubular solutions for the energy markets and for demanding industrial applications such as oil & gas wells in harsh environments, energy transition applications (CCUS, hydrogen, geothermal, solar, offshore wind), challenging architectural projects and high-performance mechanical equipment. Vallourec’s pioneering spirit and cutting-edge R&D open new technological frontiers. With close to 17,000 dedicated and passionate employees in more than 20 countries, Vallourec works hand-in-hand with its customers to offer more than just tubes: it delivers innovative, safe, competitive and smart tubular solutions, to make every project possible.

Webite: www.vallourec.com

The first virtual event of the World Geothermal Congress takes place today – 13 April 2021.

Join the event now: www.wgc2020.com

In the newly released MIT report, The Green Future Index 2021, our WGC 2020+1 host Iceland is at the top of the list. More importantly this is through geothermal and in particular through decades of hard work.

The Green Future Index is a ranking of 76 leading countries and territories on their progress and commitment toward building a low carbon future. It measures the degree to which their economies are pivoting toward clean energy, industry, agriculture, and society through investment in renewables, innovation, and green finance.

The full report can be found here:  https://www.technologyreview.com/2021/01/25/1016648/green-future-index/

German Geothermal Association (BVG) starts Call for Papers for the Geothermal Congress taking place 30 November – 2 December 2021 in Essen, Germany.

Planning for this year’s congress edition is already in full swing. There will be thematic diversity in 2021: in addition to the cross-cutting topics of sector coupling, legal framework conditions for the heat transition, heat pumps, and heat grids and
storage, there will also be specific focal points for deep and near-surface geothermal energy.

For deep geothermal energy, the focus will be on exploration, material use, medium-depth geothermal energy, and the complex of reservoir development and management. In the area of near-surface geothermal energy, concepts for cost reduction and measures to increase efficiency will be covered, as will cold local heating networks and neighborhood concepts, as well as quality assurance and groundwater protection. In addition, other scientific topics on geothermal energy can also be submitted.

With a call for papers, the German Geothermal Association invites interested scientists and projects to present their current scientific findings at the DGK. Young scientists are also invited to participate in the “Science Bar”. This poster competition offers the opportunity to present bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral theses on the topic of geothermal energy to a broad professional audience. The best presentation will be awarded the Young Scientist Award of the Bundesverband Geothermie e.V. (German Geothermal Association).

More information could be found here: https://www.der-geothermiekongress.de/index.php?id=3009&L=1.

To all our friends in the global geothermal community and those looking forward to join us.

These have been interesting and challenging times for all of us around the world and with the dawn of a new spring (or autumn), it is time to look forward  to an exciting decade for geothermal and the World Geothermal Congress 2020+1. Planned since 2014, we are now finally ready to go.

The kick-off event with a high-profile line-up of speakers and details to be shared about the World Congress events and logistics provide a great opportunity to prepare for an exciting 7 months of all things geothermal.

So join us on Tuesday, March 30, 2021 – 15:00 to 17:00 UTC for the live stream for the virtual official kick-off of the World Geothermal Congress 2020+1. A recording will be available afterwards. We have secured a great line up of speakers!

„We are wonderfully excited to be finally able kicking-off the World Geothermal  Congress 2020, and are very much looking forward to have you with us for this event and the exciting events planned.“, Hidda Thorsteinsson, Managing Director Research and Innovation, Reykjavik Energy.

For more details visit our website wgc2020.com.

„We have been hard  at work in the recent weeks and months and launched a new website for the congress. There you will find all details related to the new format of the event, including the extensive agenda of the program, details on the set-up, speakers, social program and all the things that make the World Geothermal Congress the great meeting venue for the global geothermal community. We hope to engage with you all in the coming months and see you in Reykjavik in October.“, Dr. Bjarni Pálsson, Chairman of the WGC2020 Organising Committee and Head of Geothermal, Landsvirkjun.

With the challenges of these times, a large part of the program has been moved into an extensive virtual event series of five fully packed days of presentations and discussions. This set-up creates a complete new experience and value, given that all 1,800+ presentations will be available online for a minimum of 12 months. Never before have we had this level of access to the state of knowledge, experience and history of geothermal development, technology, social aspects, and so much more. This format allows all participants to access all program aspects like never before, given the traditionally set up of parallel sessions of the technical programs at the World Geothermal Congress events.

The virtual event series is split into five long-day events, under the following themes: general, geoscience(in two parts), engineering, and cross-cutting. They will feature around 200 video presentations each, followed by live moderated Q&A discussions after each session. The events will take place within a dedicated conference platform, which we will introduce in a tutorial on the congress website. The dates for event are April 13, May 11-12, June 15, July 6, 2021.

The onsite event will then be held as planned in Reykjavik October 24-27, 2021, but major parts of the events of the onsite congress will be streamed and made available for those that cannot travel. 

The event now provides the best of both worlds, in this „+1“ approach and an increased value given the unparalleled access to the entire technical program, as well as key elements of the onsite event in Reykjavik in October.

The entire experience for the event is sold as one package with one ticket given access to all elements of the congress both virtual and onsite. We have chosen to keep pricing in place as is, despite the challenges and increased costs in the approach chosen now. Our target was to guarantee the best access, visibility and value for speakers, participating companies and stakeholders.  Registration is open.

The event in Reykjavik will allow for all the traditional elements of a World Geothermal Congress. The Exhibition at the conference vene Harpa will continue to provide a great opportunity to showcase your company‘s offering to the geothermal world. The virtual platform will also allow for a virtual representation of your company both as sponsor and exhibitor. Details  can be found on wgc2020.com.

The value of WGC2020+1 is further increased with the fantastic and unique opportunity to experience all things geothermal in Iceland within just a short-drive from Harpa Conference Centre. Field trips & excursions on offer provide the opportunity to experience first hand geothermal energy utilization for power generation, district heating, direct use, and even soak in one of the many outdoor swimming pools and spas in and around Reykjavik.

We would like to thank the continued support of our main sponsors, partners and stakeholders around the world, in particular Ormat Technologies as Platinum sponsor, as well as the Icelandic energy companies, HS Orka, Landsvirkjun, and Reykjavik Energy.

+++PRESS RELEASE+++

Bonn/Tokyo/Berlin/Stockholm, 10 March 2021 – Renewable energy organisations representing different spheres of the renewable energy community have gathered today on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Fukushima nuclear accident to emphasise that renewable energies are not only available in abundance but ready to deliver a renewable world. The combination of all renewable technologies, be it bioenergy, geothermal energy, hydropower, ocean energy, solar energy or wind power, in particular in combination with storage options, can satisfy all energy needs of mankind, be it for power, heating/cooling, transportation, or industrial processes. 

Renewables have seen tremendous growth rates and cost reduction over the past two decades, but there are still many barriers that need to be addressed for a faster renewable energy deployment to eventually achieve global 100% renewable energy. It is up to political decision-makers to create the legislative and regulatory conditions so that the renewable energy community can act as fast as needed. 

Such rapid switch towards renewables is not only a must in light of nuclear risks and the growing threats of climate change, but also the necessary response to the current pandemic situation. And it will allow those hundreds of millions of humans in unserved areas to get for the first time ever access to modern energy services. 

Speakers from the renewable energy community presented today in a joint webinar that a renewable future is a realistic vision, representing: 

Energy Watch Group, Global100RE Platform, Global100RE Strategy Group, International Geothermal Association, ISEP Japan, REN Alliance, World Bioenergy Association, World Wind Energy Association. 

Dr. Tetsunari Iida, Director of the Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies ISEP Japan: 

Ten years ago, on 11 March 2021, the Great East Japan Earthquake and Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident occurred. It is a “coincidence of global history” that it now coincides with the starting point of the 100% renewable energy initiative that is accelerating around the world.

The world has changed dramatically since 311. Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Taiwan, South Korea, China and many other countries were all shocked by 311 and shifted their focus from nuclear power to renewable energy. The next ten years will be the decade in which this perception will rapidly become the “new reality”. 311 was the “starting point” for a structural energy shift in world history.

Hans-Josef Fell, former MP, President of the Energy Watch Group and co-initiator of the Global100RE Strategy Group: 

The disasters of Fukushima and Chernobyl are urging the entire world to quickly end the use of atomic energy. Contrary to what is often claimed, nuclear energy cannot make a contribution to climate protection, but only creates immense problems with toxic radioactivity emissions, nuclear waste, atomic bomb material and the dangers of a nuclear catastrophe. In contrast, 100% renewable energies until 2030 can help achieve climate protection and a simultaneous nuclear phase-out, according to a recently published statement by a world-leading group of energy researchers from the USA, EU and Australia. 

Their research suggests that a 100% renewable energy supply, including storage systems, can provide full energy security for all of mankind by 2030 and will even be cheaper than the existing nuclear and fossil energy supply. The only requirement for implementation is the right decisions taken by decision makers both in governments and industry. All technical and economic prerequisites for a disruptive conversion of the global energy supply to 100% renewable energies are already in place. 

Hon. Peter Rae AO, President of WWEA and Honorary Chairman of the REN Alliance: 

40 years ago, the idea of developing nuclear power appealed to me as a non-polluting method of generating electricity. So I studied it. How to deal with waste and how to ensure it would not create a danger to life. Along came Chernobyl and other accidents. Storage of waste was leaving dangerous hiding places while some waste was alleged to be dumped at sea. I became more and more concerned. There were demonstrations that the existing methods were dangerous and required very strict construction and operational tolerances – up went the cost. Long delays and huge cost increases. I had visited nuclear power stations and talked to expert proponents in UK, France, US, Taiwan and Australia. The more I did the more certain I became that it was not the way to go. Then Fukushima put the dangers and cost beyond doubt. Let’s get on with the rollover to renewables. 

Dr. Marit Brommer, Executive Director of the International Geothermal Association IGA: 

The IGA is proud to work with all renewable energy associations to continuously provide a unified voice to a cleaner energy future. The Geothermal sector is proven to be a partner of choice for many locations in the world serving baseload power and clean heat to customers. We are particularly interested in the increased attention system integration gets, which underpins the importance of all renewables coming together at events such as the webinar organised by the WWEA.

Christian Rakos, President of the World Bioenergy Association: 

The IPCC has emphasized the important role of sustainable bioenergy for climate protection. Recent advances in technology allow us to use feedstock from forestry, wood processing and agricultural production in an efficient and clean way. Today, bioenergy already contributes 12 – 13% to global final energy demand. Together with other renewable energy technologies such as solar, wind, geothermal and hydropower, bioenergy can increase the contribution in a substantial way to meet the energy demands of all end use sectors and meet the international energy and climate goals. 

Stefan Gsänger, Secretary General of the World Wind Energy Association and Co-chair of the Global100RE Platform: 

The switch to a renewable energy future requires new political and economic thinking: from centralised structures with few large actors towards decentralised, participatory models with millions of communities and citizens playing an active role, not only as consumers but also as producers of energy. To make this new paradigm the predominant energy paradigm is the true challenge of the energy transformation which we as the world community are facing. If we manage this shift well and on time, billions of people across the globe, in industrialised and developing countries alike, will benefit and will face a bright future. 

The programme of the webinar and later the recordings are available at: https://wwindea.org/wweawebinar-on-10-march-ten-years-after-fukushima-renewables-are-ready-to-deliver-a-renewable-world/ 

Ten Years After Fukushima – Renewables are Ready to Deliver a Renewable World 

#WWEAwebinar on Wednesday, 10 March 2021 | 13:00-14:30 h Central European Time 

In collaboration with Energy Watch Group, Global100RE Platform, Global 100RE Strategy Group, International Geothermal Association, World Bioenergy Association 

This months marks the tenth anniversary of the nuclear accident near Fukushima. This anniversary reminds us of the importance of converting the world’s energy supply entirely to renewable energy. Renewables are not only available in abundance, but they are affordable and accessible for all human beings on our planet, without major negative environmental impacts but with great socio-economic benefits.    Accordingly, under the title of Ten Years After Fukushima – Renewables are Ready to Deliver a Renewable World, the webinar will focus on the trends and opportunities for how wind, solar, bioenergy, geothermal and hydropower technologies can work together to create a post-pandemic renewable world. Tetsunari Iida from ISEP Japan will highlight the progress Japan has made in deploying renewable energy. How to upscale renewable energy and achieve 100% renewables globally will be presented by another leading expert, Mr Hans-Josef Fell. Speakers representing wind power and other renewable technologies will present how renewables working together can support scaling up climate action and accelerating access to clean, safe, reliable, and affordable energy for all.

Speakers will include: 
Dr. Tetsunari Iida, ISEP Japan
Hans-Josef Fell, Energy Watch Group/Global100RE Strategy Group
Dr. Marit Brommer, International Geothermal Association IGA
Christian Rakos, World Bioenergy Association WBA
Hon. Peter Rae AO, World Wind Energy Association/REN Alliance 
Stefan Gsänger, World Wind Energy Association 

Registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAvdu2trj4tHtH8ugpFvr5pMzmbB9cqkuct 

Our global network of geothermal leaders keeps on growing! We are delighted to welcome CGG – a global geoscience technology leader as our new corporate club member.

CGG provides a comprehensive range of data, products and services that enable their clients to responsibly solve the world’s most complex natural resource, environmental and infrastructure challenges.

Learn more about their mission, key services and activities here.