The utilization of hot steam from geothermalAlso known as geothermal power. Heat that is stored inside the earth is transformed into electrical energy by geothermal power plants. This form of energy is considered to be cost-effective, reliable and friendly to the environement. resources to generate electricityA form of energy having magnetic, radiant and chemical effects. Electric current is created by a flow of electrons. has the potential to diversify the global energyThe ability to perform work, mainly kinetic, potential, thermal energy, but also in forms of gravitational, sound, elastic and electromagnetic energy. mix and enhance all our efforts to address climate changeClimate change is a lasting change in weather patterns over long periods of time. It can be a natural phenomena and and has occurred on Earth even before people inhabited it. Quite different is a current situation that is also referred to as climate change, anthropogenic climate change, or ... and global warmingHuman activities are adding greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, to the atmosphere, which are enhancing the natural greenhouse effect. While the natural greenhouse effect is keeping average temperature on earth at about +15°C, this enhanced greenhouse effect ..., says Magnus Gehringer, Senior Energy Specialist at the Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP). “Our dependence on fossil fuels has lasted too long and we will reach the point when we can no longer continue on this path, due to economical, financial and environmental issues. We have to look for other ways to produce electrical powerUseful energy can be mechanical energy, for example powering a fan..”

Geothermal power generation has immense benefits but little has been done to assist developing countries establish geothermal projects.  Worldwide, geothermal powerAlso known as geothermal power. Heat that is stored inside the earth is transformed into electrical energy by geothermal power plants. This form of energy is considered to be cost-effective, reliable and friendly to the environement. generation has reached a total capacity of over 11 gigawatts in over twenty countries. The United States of America leads with over 3,000 megawatts of geothermal power installed, with rapid expansion planned.

The benefits of geothermal energyAlso known as geothermal power. Heat that is stored inside the earth is transformed into electrical energy by geothermal power plants. This form of energy is considered to be cost-effective, reliable and friendly to the environement. are as follows:

• being environmentally friendly due to low GHG emissions,  and suitable for carbon creditsCarbon credits provide a way to reduce greenhouse effect emissions on an industrial scale by capping total annual emissions and letting the market assign a monetary value to any shortfall through trading.,
• reducing the countries’ spending of foreign currency for the import of fossil fuelsConventional energy from fossil sources, such as natural gas and oil. This type of energy contributes to climate change and because of its finite nature it is not a permanent resource.,
• providing base loadPower plants in basic load mode run round-the-clock to cover basic consumption. power, which is especially needed by countries that rely on hydro powerHydro power is electrical energy produced through the power of moving water.
  Power obtained from the (typically gravitational) movement of water. and ideal for rural and off-gridA grid is a network of transmission lines, usually to distribute electric power . applications,
• having a very high reliability and availability factor, and
• low power generation costs per produced kWh compared to all other renewable technologies.

Several factors have hindered countries from developing their geothermal resources.  The main issue is the high upfront costs for exploration and drillings.  The initial exploration is vital, to confirm the availability of the resource and for soliciting the interest of the private sector to build and operate power plants. Other issues affecting the development of geothermal plants are the lack of technical capacity and  the lack of geothermal resource data.

To-date, the World Bank has mainly supported Kenya, Indonesia and the Philippines, in establishing geothermal power generation, either by providing  technical assistance or funds for the project, Gehringer told government officials and policymakers at a recent Global Geothermal Forum held in Washington, D.C. in May 2010. “ESMAP is now assisting Central American countries develop geothermal power facilities that are competitive in regional electricity markets. The countries are Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Panama.  We are also planning to assist several East African countries develop their geothermal power,” he said. The effort is part of ESMAP’s Renewable EnergyRenewable energy is power generated from infinite sources, such as wind or solar power. Conventional energy is generated from finite sources, such as natural gas or fossil oil. Market Transformation Initiative – REMTI, launched in 2009.

Gehringer’s presentation on ESMAP’s geothermal strategy and program highlighted ESMAP’s work in helping countries build institutional capacity to develop, plan and implement strategies to deploy geothermal power. The forum was sponsored by the Geothermal Energy Association.