| Abstract |
The International Energy Agency (IEA)-Geothermal Implementing Agreement (GIA), founded in 1997, provides a versatile structure for wide-ranging international cooperation on geothermal research and technology under the auspices of the IEA. It links important national and industry programmes for exploration, development and utilization of geothermal resources. Emphasis is placed on enhancing effectiveness through establishing direct cooperation among experts in member countries, industries and organizations. The GIA provides participants with opportunities for information exchange; participation in R&D projects and in the development of techniques, best practices, databases, models and handbooks; and exposure to global perspectives on geothermal issues and sustainable development strategies. The GIA emphasizes production and dissemination of impartial, authoritative information. As one of 41 Implementing Agreements, the GIA supports the IEA’s efforts to help ensure the provision of reliable, affordable and clean energy to its 28 member countries and beyond. The IEA aims to develop a sustainable energy policy that incorporates energy security, economic development, environmental awareness, and engagement with nonmember countries to find solutions to shared energy and environmental concerns. The GIA completed its 3rd term in February 2013, and the IEA has extended the GIA’s mandate for a 4th 5-year term, continuing its activities to 2018. The GIA’s 3rd Term efforts were guided by this Mission: To promote the sustainable utilization of geothermal energy throughout the world by improving existing and developing new technologies to render exploitable the vast and widespread global geothermal resources, by facilitating the transfer of know-how, by providing high quality information and by widely communicating geothermal energy’s strategic, economic and environmental benefits, and thereby contribute to the mitigation of climate change. To realize this mission, the GIA worked in six diverse topic areas: Annexes: IEnvironmental Impacts of Geothermal Energy Development, III- Enhanced Geothermal Systems, VIIAdvanced Geothermal Drilling Techniques, VIII- Direct Use of Geothermal Energy, Annex X- Data Collection and Information, and Annex XI- Induced Seismicity; the latter two Annexes added in the past three years. Highlights of the GIA’s 3rd Term achievements include: contributions to the geothermal chapter of the IPCC SRREN (Special Report on Renewable Energy) and the IEA Technology Roadmap on Geothermal Heat and Power; editorship of and contributions to the Geothermics Special Issue on Sustainable Utilization of Geothermal Energy; publication of a Handbook of Best Practices for Geothermal Drilling; joint convener of the GIA-IGA Workshop on Global Development Potential and Contribution to Mitigation of Climate Change; preparation of a Protocol for Induced Seismicity; convener of international workshops on topics such as sustainability, induced seismicity and environmental mitigation; participation at various annual international conferences and the World Geothermal Congress 2010; publication of comprehensive GIA annual reports; publication of a new annual GIA report on Trends in Geothermal Applications; and re-development of the GIA public website as a facility for growing information dissemination. Of particular significance was the establishment of a project proposal funding scheme, which generally supports completion of substantive Annex outputs, such as reports and workshop proceedings. GIA publications are made freely available to the global community on the GIA public website. Future planned activities include: continuation of current initiatives (active Annexes); addition of new studies where important new global issues, problems, or technologies are identified; joint work with the IGA to collect/publish annual country geothermal energy utilization data/information; expansion of GIA’s seminar/workshop programme, with venues planned for prospective Member countries (e.g., the Philippines and China); and continued support of the IEA through workshop participation and contribution of articles to the Mongillo and Bromley 2 IEA OPEN Bulletin and the IEA Energy Journal. Development of the GIA website will also continue. During GIA’s 3rd term, membership increased from 14 to 20. It now includes: 14 countries (Australia, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Republic of Korea, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States), the EC, 3 industry members (Geodynamics, Green Rock Energy, Ormat Technologies) and 2 national organizations (CanGEA [Canada] and Geothermal Group APPA [Spain]). The GIA will continue its efforts to seek new members able to contribute to the achievement of its mission and extend its global geothermal collaboration. A review of the current global energy scene, including relevance to climate change, is presented. The IEA and GIA structures and operations are briefly described; details of GIA’s major achievements for promoting sustainable geothermal utilization are discussed; and future plans for a 4th 5-year Term are reported. |