California Geothermal Energy Collaborative

	California Geothermal Energy Background Geothermal energy production (2,000 megawatts in 2002 at nearly 16 gigawatt-hours/year (GWh/year)) accounts for approximately half of all power produced by renewable energy sources in California. It is estimated that an additional ca. 7,000 GWh/year could be generated from California’s geothermal resources. In addition to electrical power generation, geothermal energy is also a potential source for useful thermal energy. Forty-six of the fifty-eight counties in the state have low temperature geothermal resources, some of which are currently being exploited for space heating and cooling, and commercial and industrial applications. These instances of direct-use of geothermal energy reduce electrical power demand while exploiting an energy source that is clean, renewable and reliable.
Mission To meet Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) goals, geothermal resource utilization will need to be dramatically increased. Greater coordination between geothermal energy developers and researchers, environmental groups, electricity suppliers and government agencies must be improved. Because geothermal energy resources contribute to electrical power generation as well as other thermal power demands that impact electrical power usage, this coordination challenge is complex and broad-based. The California Geothermal Energy Collaborative (CGEC) Project is a research and development project funded by the California Energy Commission (CEC) through the Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) Program. The purpose of the CGEC Project is to expand the sustainable use of geothermal resources to meet California’s energy needs. CIEE will be providing research coordination, and administrative services for this project.
Goals and Objectives The overall goal of the California Geothermal Energy Collaborative (CGEC) is to: Expand California’s confirmed geothermal resource base; Improve the contribution of geothermal energy to Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) goals; Identify and communicate geothermal related transmission issues and opportunities; Coordinate with California Native American tribes as geothermal stakeholders; Promote utilization of geothermal energy in California by engaging in outreach activities. California Geothermal Fact Sheet and Map This map shows existing geothermal power plants and “Known Geothermal Resource Areas” in California as of 2006. California Geothermal Fact Sheet and Map (PDF, 216KB)
CGEC Advisory Group (Executive Board and Steering Committee) The CGEC Advisory Group is comprised of organizations from state and federal agencies; national laboratories and universities; educational, tribal and trade associations; geothermal companies; utility companies; irrigation districts; and consultants. The Advisory Group members and their websites are listed below in alphabetical order: Bureau of Land Management, California Office California Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources California Energy Commission, Energy Generation Research Office California Institute for Energy and Environment California State Lands Commission Calpine Corporation - The Geysers Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies (CEERT) Department of Energy, Geothermal Technologies DOE, GeoPowering the West Geothermal Education Office Geothermal Energy Association Geothermal Resource Council Imperial Irrigation District Inter-Tribal Council of California Lawrence Livermore Laboratories MidAmerican Energy Holdings Co. & Subsidiary CalEnergy Virtual Plant Tour Ormat Corporation Pacific Gas and Electric, Renewable Energy Sacramento Municipal District Sandia National Laboratories San Diego Gas & Electric USGS Western Region
Workshops California Geothermal Development Plan Workshop June 20, 2007 8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.