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September 2024 San Miguel Power Association Features Western Colorado Geothermal Energy in Monthly EnergyWise Newsletter
The Heat Beneath Our Feet
Could Western Slope Geothermal Help Colorado Reach Renewable Energy Goals?
Of all the energy sources we consider “renewable,” one that can also be called “steady” is geothermal energy. Geothermal electric production converts heat below the earth’s surface into clean, round-theclock power through wells drilled deep underground. “There’s enormous potential [for geothermal electricity], largely because of our seismology,” said Colorado Governor, Jared Polis. “We happen to have great subsurface heat in Colorado.” The Western Slope is a large part of that equation. With natural hot springs in Ouray, Orvis, Rico, Dunton and Log Hill, the San Miguel Power’s service territory could be considered a hot bed (pun intended) of geothermal potential! Challenges to geothermal energy development include the high upfront costs of exploration, drilling risks, and the need for technological advancements to tap into deep geothermal resources effi ciently. Despite these challenges, there is growing interest from both public and private sectors, fueled by the potential for clean energy and economic benefi ts such as job creation and energy independence.
Local organizations looking to realize that potential include the Good Shepherd Ranch, LLC which is an extended family of entrepreneurs, engineers and ranchers, with a vision of creating sustainable development solutions on their unique 960-acre property in the midst of SMPA territory. “There are several recent breakthroughs in technological barriers that place geothermal energy on the cusp of mass commercialization,” says Wendy Fenner, PE and President of ZGEO Energy who has studied the geothermal potential of the region and is ready to start drilling on Good Shepherd Ranch.
Another entity working toward the utilization of local geothermal resources is the Rico Geothermal Coalition, a partnership of Rico residents and industry partner, Teverra. The coalition was recently awarded grant funding through the Colorado Geothermal Grant Program for a Community District Heating/Thermal Energy Network Grant.
Colorado’s Renewable Energy Standard and incentives for clean energy projects provide a favorable environment for geothermal development. Technology and workflow advances adapted from oil and gas have also expanded the industry’s ability to precisely direct fluid flow below ground, and advanced 3-D subsurface modeling has changed the design processes of projects, drilling wells, and managing reservoirs Harvesting technologies like conventional steam, binary, combined cycle, and integrated two-level power plants are all options to consider as research continues.
While geothermal energy exploration on Colorado’s Western Slope remains in the exploratory phase, it’s exciting to think that such a steady, abundant, emissions-free energy source is within reach as our state marches toward its 2040 goal of 100% renewable energy
https://smpa.com/sites/default/files/documents/Newsletters/2024%20Newsletters/SMPA_Newsletter-Sept%202024-WEB.pdf
Updates
Top Row starting 2nd from Left: KRISTÍN LINDA ÁRNADÓTTIR-Deputy CEO of Landsvirkjun Power, BERGDÍS ELLERTSDÓTTIR-Ambassador of Iceland to the United States, Colorado Governor Jared Polis, BIRTA KRISTÍN HELGADÓTTIR-Director of Energy at EFLA Consulting Engineers, WENDY Z FENNER-President at ZGEO Energy.
2024 Colorado-Iceland Clean Energy Summit
ZGEO Energy attended the Colorado-Iceland Clean Energy Summit hosted in partnership with the State of Colorado Energy Office, the Embassy of Iceland, Denver Economic Development & Opportunity, and Green by Iceland on June 20, 2024. Featured speakers included Minister Gudlaugur Thor Thordarsson, Governor Jared Polis, climate and energy leaders from the State of Colorado, Iceland, and the National Renewable Energy Lab.
The Summit brought together government and state leaders, businesses and researchers to discuss opportunities to strengthen the cooperation between Colorado and Iceland in the field of Geothermal Energy and Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS) solutions. During this timely Summit, experts highlighted transatlantic cooperation to advance energy security and the role that advanced clean energy technology will play in advancing the energy transition needed to secure a net-zero future.
In addition to geothermal electricity generation, there was great discussion about thermal energy networks and how they can be integrated into new and older development areas to help decarbonize and free up capacity on the electric grid. The panelist also discussed and encouraged strong collaboration between geothermal providers, local governments, and the general public, emphasizing education and communication as the key to gaining broad support.
ZGEO Energy Welcomes Robert Sisson to Our Advisory Board
Rob Sisson was nominated by President Trump and confirmed by the US Senate to the International Joint Commission (IJC), where he served as Commissioner from May 2019 to May 2024, and US Chair from June 2022 to July 2023. The IJC works to prevent or resolve disputes between the US and Canada concerning shared water levels, flows, and quality.
Prior to confirmation, Sisson served a decade as President of ConservAmerica, a national right-of-center conservation and energy policy advocacy organization. Rob was mayor and city commissioner of Sturgis, MI spanning a period of 14 years. As mayor, he was also the CEO of the city's municipal electric company, which owns a FERC-licensed hydroelectric dam, and of the $45 million annual revenue city hospital. He was awarded Michigan Environmental Leader of the Year 2008 for enacting sustainable practices within city government and services. Concurrently, he served as Vice President of the City's Economic Development Corporation and as president of the St. Joseph County EDC. Rob's first career was in commercial banking and economic development with over two decades of experience. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Management from Albion College. He resides in Livingston, Montana.
ZGEO Energy Advocates in Geothermal Rising’s 2024 Capitol Hill Day
On June 4-5, 2024 members of the ZGEO Board also participated in Geothermal Rising, Capitol Hill Day in Washington DC. The key topics of discussion with congressional and senate staff were:
Permitting and Leasing Reform: focused on the necessity of bipartisan support in Congress for groundbreaking bills such as H.R. 6482, “Enhancing Geothermal Production on Federal Lands Act,” introduced by Representative Russ Fulcher. This act is crucial for expediting geothermal exploration drilling through legislative categorical exclusions.
Risk Mitigation: Implementing a revolving risk mitigation drilling fund would greatly benefit our industry. Geothermal Rising is exploring this and other innovative ideas that can provide substantial support to its members.
Appropriations: ZGEO Energy and the Geothermal Rising delegates advocated for Congress to commit to funding research, development, demonstrations, and deployment of geothermal technologies. Such investments are essential to advance the commercialization of geothermal energy across the United States.
ZGEO Energy and the Colorado Energy Office Co-Host the Southwest Colorado Geothermal Summit in Montrose
On June 4, 2024, ZGEO Energy, in collaboration with the Geothermal Division of the Colorado Energy Office and numerous geothermal experts, hosted the Southwest Colorado Geothermal Summit in Montrose. This event, which included a geothermal technical workshop and panel discussions, was a significant step towards the integration of geothermal energy into local planning. It was attended by regional utilities, ten different local municipalities and county governments, industry leaders, and other relevant stakeholders, all of whom were inspired by the potential of high-temperature and low-temperature geothermal technologies.
The speaker lineup included Bryce Carter, Emerging Markets Program Manager for the Colorado Energy Office, Wendy Fenner, President of ZGEO Energy, Kent Marsh, Vice President of Capital Planning, Sustainability & Campus Operations, Colorado Mesa University, Paul Bony, Energy Services Professional with The Grey Edge Group, Teal Stetson-Lee, Rico Geothermal Coalition, Paul Scharfenberger, CEO of Colorado Clean Energy Fund, Dr. Alfred Lacazette, PhD, Director of Geology for Geothermal Technologies, Inc (GTI), Scott H. Nichols Manager of Regulatory Affairs for Ormat Technologies, Peter Bauman, Exploration & Land Manager for Eavor Technologies, John Morgan, Lead Geothermal Scientist for the Colorado Energy & Carbon Management Commission, Travis Sondrol Craig Plant Manager and Reg Rudolf Energy Innovations Officer, both with Tri-State Generation & Transmission.
The technical workshop and public information session were met with enthusiasm and approximately 170 people in attendance. This positive response was further validated the following week when citizens provided public comments requesting that Montrose County Planning add geothermal energy to the renewable energy components of its 2024 Master Plan Update.
In July 2024, ZGEO is scheduled to meet with leadership from the West End of Montrose and San Miguel Counties to explore the potential of geothermal energy in bringing economic revitalization to these coal-closure communities. Stay tuned for more updates!