Congressman Tonko Announces $13.7 Million In Geothermal Grants

October 30, 2009 -- ALBANY, NY – Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-21) announced today that the Department of Energy has awarded $13.7 million dollars in Recovery Act funding for the development of new geothermal energy projects and research into advanced geothermal technologies in the 21st Congressional District. The funds are part of $338 million dollars in Recovery Act grants nationwide that are targeted towards accelerating development of domestic geothermal energy.

“These grants are an investment in innovative projects that will help us take advantage of a natural resource that can provide an energy solution that is clean and carbon free,” said Congressman Tonko. “The Recovery Act makes an unprecedented investment in clean energy technologies that will help promote research and development and to bring these new cutting edge technologies to market. Funding these projects will help create new green energy jobs, boost the economy, and create a better energy outcome for future generations. With the announcement of these awards the Capital Region and its mix of high-tech companies, universities and community colleges, and public-private investment has once again been recognized as a leader in creating clean energy solutions.”

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Here is a list of the grants awarded in the 21st Congressional District:

--GE Global Research, Niskayuna -- $2,399,990 -- to develop high temperature components for a pumping system that can access deeper geothermal wells.

--GE Global Research, Niskayuna -- $3,000,000 -- to develop new technologies enabling recovery of geothermal energy from lower temperature heat sources using alternative fluids.

--GE Global Research, Niskayuna -- $3,439,991 -- to develop a high-tech sensor that can operate at the high temperatures and pressures needed for enhanced geothermal systems (EGS). This will increase our understanding of what’s happening in high temperature environments in the subsurface and lead to more cost-effective ways to drill new wells.

--GE Global Research, Niskayuna -- $2,085,090 -- to develop an EGS-specific cable capable of accurate, real-time temperature, pressure, strain and vibration sensing in high temperature EGS environments.

--University at Albany -- $2,786,250 -- UAlbany will install a large geothermal heat pump system serving campus facilities.

“GE researchers will bring expertise in sensing, high temperature materials and energy systems to accelerate key advancements that are needed to expand geothermal power generation in the United States,” said Mark Little, Senior Vice President and Director, GE Global Research. “These projects illustrate the great depth and breadth of GE’s research capabilities. They also are a great example of how government and the private sector can work together to drive clean, sustainable technology solutions. I want to thank Congressman Tonko and the entire New York Congressional delegation for their support on these projects and the Research Center’s efforts to drive clean energy technologies.”

“The geothermal heating system funded by the Department of Energy will help the University at Albany reduce its energy costs, lower greenhouse gas emissions and ultimately advance a more sustainable community,” said University at Albany President George M. Philip. “We thank Congressman Tonko for his leadership on this important energy reduction initiative and for all he has done to support UAlbany.”

Nationwide, these projects represent a dramatic expansion of the domestic geothermal industry, and will create or save thousands of jobs in drilling, exploration, construction, and operation of geothermal power facilities and manufacturing of ground source heat pump equipment. The grants will be matched with an additional $353 million in private and non-federal cost-share funds.

The Department of Energy’s Geothermal Technologies Program works in partnership with industry to establish geothermal energy as an economically competitive contributor to the U.S. energy supply. There is more information available about the awards and Geothermal Technologies Program available on DOE’s website at http://geothermal.energy.gov

Source: Congressman Paul Tonko