Representatives from Australia, Iceland and the United States signed the Charter Agreement for the International Partnership for Geothermal Technology on August 28, 2008 in Keflavik, Iceland. The purpose of the IPGT is to accelerate the development of geothermal technology through international cooperation. EGS is in an early stage of development and groups throughout the world are working to develop effective methodologies and practices.
Given global climate change and the world's current energy security concerns, people everywhere need a reliable baseload source of renewable energy. Of the existing renewable energies, geothermal is the only one that can fill this role. It is thus imperative that geothermal energy be made a viable possibility for societies throughout the world, irrespective of their hydrothermal resources. The IPGT is working to achieve this goal.
Areas of Focus:
- Lower Cost Drilling
- Zonal Isolation/Packers
- High Temperature Tools
- Stimulation Procedures
- Modeling
- Exploration Technologies
From an original seventeen topics, the IPGT has narrowed its focus to the six listed above. The Steering Committee indentified three conveners for each topic- one for each member country- who will assemble six international working groups. Under the direction of the conveners, the working groups will develop white papers and research plans for their topic areas, which will assist in the development of IPGT projects in coming months. Interest in joining an IPGT working group may be directed to the Secretariat.
Link to Convener Responsibilites (.pdf, 20kb)
Link to IPGT Charter (.pdf, 282kb)
Link to Freqently Asked Questions
Member Countries:
Link to Country Membership Requirements
Steering Committee:
The United States of America
- Ed Wall (Chair), Program Manager, Geothermal Technologies Program, U.S. Department of Energy
- Karl Gawell, Executive Director, Geothermal Energy Association
The Government of Australia
- Steve Ewings, Assistant Manager, Energy Technology & Research, Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism, Energy & Environment Division
- Andy Barnicoat, Group Leader, Energy Mineral Systems, Geoscience Australia
- Adrian Williams, Consultant, Geodynamics Limited
The Republic of Iceland
- Gudni A. Jóhannesson, Director General, Orkustofnun National Energy Authority
- Ólafur G. Flóvenz, Director General, ÍSOR Iceland GeoSurvey
