| Authors |
Kennie TSUI, Anya SEWARD, Gunter SIDDIQI, Lauren BOYD, Anthony BUDD, Gudni JOHANNESSON, Olafur FLOVENZ, Graeme BEARDSMORE, Will PETTITT, Bruce MOUNTAIN, and Peter MEIER |
| Abstract |
The International Partnership for Geothermal Technology (IPGT) was established in 2007 and facilitates the development of cost-effective geothermal energy technology between its five-member countries. The current membership includes New Zealand, Switzerland, Australia, Iceland and the USA. Although these five countries have very varied geothermal resources, they are working together on governmental, and research and development levels toward efficient development and advancements to encourage geothermal development. The steering committee, led by government and industry representatives, fosters collaboration and knowledge sharing to promote collaborative research, development and deployment projects. The steering committee works closely with the “working groups†which comprises of a network of researchers and developers from our member countries, working towards a common goal. There are currently seven active working groups with focuses on: lower cost drilling, reservoir modelling, zonal isolation/packing, exploration technologies, high temperature tools, induced seismicity and stimulation procedures. Our membership enabled closer working relationships, with increasing sharing of expertise and experience adding value to all partners of the IPGT. For example, one outcome of the IPGT’s relationship building is the U.S. Department of Energy and New Zealand’s Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) decision to intensify their collaboration on the advancement of geothermal technologies. Similarly, the IPGT has led to a number of research collaborations between Iceland and Switzerland, and Iceland and the United States. Working groups on reservoir modelling and induced seismicity have provided valuable input to the formulation of research topics suitable for international collaboration, such as code comparison workshops for dynamic reservoir simulators. The IPGT has ongoing commitments to strongly supported the member countries geothermal community, who are enthusiastic about engaging with the IPGT via the working groups. |