Icelandic Geothermal Trade Mission

In January of 2009, Icelandic and Colorado scientists, technical experts, and community leaders gathered in Denver to explore possibilities for geothermal energy projects and partnerships between Icelandic companies and communities in Colorado. The Governor’s Energy Office (GEO), Colorado Geological Survey, Colorado School of Mines, Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, members of the Geothermal Working Group and local community representatives worked to bring the Icelandic team to Denver. Meeting Agenda (PDF 56KB)

(LEFT TO RIGHT: Masami Nakagawa, Colorado School of Mines; Matt Sares, Colorado Geological Survey; Tal Finney, Iceland America Energy, Inc.; Hlynur Gudjonsson, Consulate General of Iceland; Arnar Hjartarson, Mannvit Engineering; Joani Matranga, Governor’s Energy Office)

The first day of the gathering included an overview of Colorado including its geothermal resources, utility structure and regulations, and renewable energy programs. The evening also included a public presentation to over 125 attendees at the Colorado School of Mines. Day one presentations are listed below:

Overview and Introductions

• Icelandic Geothermal Trade Mission (PDF 67 KB)
  Presented by Joani Matranga, The Governor’s Energy Office

Geothermal Resources Overview

• Colorado Geothermal Resources (PDF 6.8 MB)
  Presented by Matt Sares, Colorado Geological Survey
• Thermal Springs and Studies of Bottom-Hole Temperatures in Colorado (PDF 5.9 MB)
  Presented by Paul Morgan, Colorado Geological Survey

Iceland Companies and Development Interests

• Iceland America Energy, Inc. – Company Overview (PDF 2.6 MB)
  Presented by Tal Finney, Iceland America Energy
• Geothermal Energy – Reliable, Green, Renewable Energy (PDF 4.0 MB)
  Presented by Tal Finney, Iceland America Energy
• Kicking the Oil Habit with Geothermal Energy (PDF 4.4 MB)
  Presented by Magnus Johannesson, Iceland America Energy
• Mannvit Engineering – Company Overview (PDF 1.1 MB)
  Presented by Arnar Hjartarson, Mannvit Engineering
• Geothermal Reservoir Assessments & Engineering Topics (PDF 551 KB)
  Presented by Arnar Hjartarson, Mannvit Engineering

Utilities in Colorado

• The Governor’s Energy Office Utilities Program (PDF 3.5 MB)
  Presented by Morey Wolfson, The Governor’s Energy Office
• Tri-State Renewables Development (PDF 614 KB)
  Presented by Lee Boughey, Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association
• Xcel Energy Overview (PDF 2.7 MB)
  Presented by Karen Hyde, Xcel Energy

Colorado Renewable Energy Programs

• Carbon Markets in the US and the Colorado Carbon Fund (PDF 686 KB)
  Presented by Susan Innis, The Governor’s Energy Office
• NREL Geothermal Program (PDF 863 KB)
  Presented by Charlie Visser, National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Evening Public Presentation

• Iceland: A Small Powerhouse in the North (PDF 1.4 MB)
  Presented by Hlynur Guðjónsson, The Consul General of Iceland in New York

The second day of the meeting focused on geothermal development or opportunities in eight Colorado communities: Mt. Princeton, Glenwood Springs, Salida, Trinidad, Ouray, Rico, Steamboat Springs/Routt County, and Aspen. The day began with an overview of the research conducted by the Colorado School of Mines. Then, members of each community group discussed their current geothermal resource uses, general history of geothermal development, and their community’s interest in new applications or development. Day two presentations are listed below:

Colorado School of Mines

• New Methods to Image Ground Water Flow in Geothermal Systems (PDF 2.3 MB)
  Presented by Andre Revil, Colorado School of Mines
• Renewable Energy Research at the Colorado School of Mines (PDF 1.1 MB)
  Presented by Dag Nummedal, Colorado School of Mines
• Iceland – Colorado Connection (PDF 1.5 MB)
  Presented by Dr. Masami Nakagawa, Colorado School of Mines

Colorado Division of Water Resources

• Regulation of Geothermal Resources in Colorado (PDF 111 KB)
  Presented by Kevin Rein, Colorado Division of Water Resources

Mt. Princeton Hot Springs, LLC

• Mt. Princeton Geothermal, LLC (PDF 2.5 MB)
  Presented by Frederick Henderson, Mt. Princeton Geothermal LLC
• Department of Energy Geothermal Investigation (PDF 7.7 MB)
  Presented by Mike Batzle, Colorado School of Mines

City of Glenwood Springs

• Regional and Local Groundwater Flow Associated with Hot Springs in Glenwood Springs (PDF 1.1 MB)
  Presented by Andy Flurkey, Colorado Department of Transportation

City of Salida

• The City of Salida, Poncha Springs (PDF 600 KB)
  Presented by Mike Copp, City of Salida

Trinidad

• Trinidad and the Raton Basin (PDF 9.9 MB)
  Presented by Hal Macartney, Pioneer Natural Resources

Town of Rico

• An Introduction to Rico, Colorado (PDF 3 MB) "")
  Presented by Rebecca Levy, Rico Bugle