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Founded | 6 July 1988 in Auckland |
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Type | Non-profit NGO |
Location | |
Members | around 10,000 |
Official language | English |
President | Bjarni Palsson [1] |
Key people | Marit Brommer (Chief Executive Officer), Helen Robinson (Regional Manager, Africa), Abigaelle Peterschmitt (Marketing and Communications Manager), Gregor Rumberg (Events Manager) [2] |
Website |
The International Geothermal Association (IGA) is an international non-profit, non-political, non-governmental association representing the geothermal energy sector worldwide. [3] The organisation works for the promotion and worldwide deployment of geothermal energy technologies and advocates for a future energy system based on renewable energy. The IGA has consultative status to the UN and special observer status to the Green Climate Fund. [4]
As of 2024, the IGA has more than 10,000 members in over 88 countries. [5]
The International Geothermal Association was founded on 6 July 1988 in Auckland, New Zealand, [6] as a non-profit organization to encourage research, development and utilization of geothermal resources worldwide. [7] The first idea to create a structured group of organizations and experts involved in development and promotion of geothermal energy dates back to the late sixties. Preliminary discussions about the establishment of an international geothermal association took place during the Symposium on Geothermal Energy, which was held in Pisa, Italy, in September 1970, initiated by UN-DTCD (United Nations Department of Technical Cooperation for Development) and organized by ENEL and CNR. [8] However, the time for this idea has not yet come and it was discussed further, as for example during the World Geothermal Congress in San Francisco in 1975 or during the International Geothermal Workshop in Ecuador in 1978. In 1986 there was a special study dedicated to the institutional aspects of a possible international geothermal association. After consulting experts from different countries, various international institutions and five international geothermal schools operating at that time the study was completed. It has concluded that an international geothermal community is ready to set up a unique and autonomous geothermal organization. The first foundation meeting took place in Castelnuovo V.C., Italy, 2–5 May 1989.
The IGA's mission is to advocate for and promote the sustainable utilization and development of geothermal resources worldwide. We are committed to shaping a future where geothermal energy is a key contributor to global energy transition and climate change mitigation. Our multifaceted approach encompasses areas of Training and Capacity Building, Communication and Outreach, Geothermal Standards, Sustainability, Finance and Investment [9]
The International Geothermal Association consists of its members, its executive team, and its board of directors.
There are different membership categories:
A non-renewable resource is a natural resource that cannot be readily replaced by natural means at a pace quick enough to keep up with consumption. An example is carbon-based fossil fuels. The original organic matter, with the aid of heat and pressure, becomes a fuel such as oil or gas. Earth minerals and metal ores, fossil fuels and groundwater in certain aquifers are all considered non-renewable resources, though individual elements are always conserved.
African Petroleum Producers Organization (APPO) is an organization of African countries producing petroleum. It was created on January 27, 1987, in Lagos, Nigeria, to serve as a platform for cooperation and harmonization of efforts, collaboration, sharing of knowledge and skills among African oil producing countries. The headquarters of the organization is in Brazzaville in the Congo. The Organization changed its name from African Petroleum Producers Association to African Petroleum Producers Organization in 2017.
The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) is an office within the United States Department of Energy. Formed from other energy agencies after the 1973 energy crisis, EERE is led by the Assistant Secretary of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, who is appointed by the president of the United States and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Alejandro Moreno currently leads the office as the Acting Assistant Secretary.
Renewable energy commercialization involves the deployment of three generations of renewable energy technologies dating back more than 100 years. First-generation technologies, which are already mature and economically competitive, include biomass, hydroelectricity, geothermal power and heat. Second-generation technologies are market-ready and are being deployed at the present time; they include solar heating, photovoltaics, wind power, solar thermal power stations, and modern forms of bioenergy. Third-generation technologies require continued R&D efforts in order to make large contributions on a global scale and include advanced biomass gasification, hot-dry-rock geothermal power, and ocean energy. In 2019, nearly 75% of new installed electricity generation capacity used renewable energy and the International Energy Agency (IEA) has predicted that by 2025, renewable capacity will meet 35% of global power generation.
The developing nations of Africa are popular locations for the application of renewable energy technology. Currently, many nations already have small-scale solar, wind, and geothermal devices in operation providing energy to urban and rural populations. These types of energy production are especially useful in remote locations because of the excessive cost of transporting electricity from large-scale power plants. The applications of renewable energy technology has the potential to alleviate many of the problems that face Africans every day, especially if done in a sustainable manner that prioritizes human rights.
The World Wind Energy Association (WWEA) is an international non-profit association representing the wind power sector worldwide, with members in 100 countries, amongst them the leading national and regional wind energy associations. The organisation works for the promotion and worldwide deployment of wind energy technology and advocates a future energy system based on renewable energy.
International Renewable Energy Alliance is a formal partnership entered into on 4 June 2004 by five non-profit international renewable energy organisations:
The American Solar Energy Society (ASES) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization advocating for renewable energy in the United States. Founded in 1954, ASES' goal is to speed the transition toward a sustainable energy economy and 100% renewable energy. The non-profit advocates for sustainable living and renewable energy issues in education, research, and policy.
Low-carbon electricity or low-carbon power is electricity produced with substantially lower greenhouse gas emissions over the entire lifecycle than power generation using fossil fuels. The energy transition to low-carbon power is one of the most important actions required to limit climate change.
The Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) was a U.S. trade organization composed of U.S. companies who support the expanded use of geothermal energy and are developing geothermal resources worldwide for electrical power generation and direct-heat uses. GEA advocated for public policies that will promote the development and utilization of geothermal resources, provides a forum for the industry to discuss issues and problems, encourages research and development to improve geothermal technologies, presents industry views to governmental organizations, provides assistance for the export of geothermal goods and services, compiles statistical data about the geothermal industry, and conducts education and outreach projects.
Geothermal power in the Philippines is the country's second largest source of renewable energy, and the fifth largest source of energy overall. Among sources of renewable energy, it is second only to hydroelectric power, although both sources are surpassed by the amount of energy drawn from coal, oil, and natural gas in that order.
The International Hydropower Association (IHA) is an international lobby group and membership association representing the global hydropower sector.
WREN is a major non-profit organization registered in the United Kingdom with charitable status and affiliated to UNESCO, the Deputy Director General of which is its honorary President. It has a Governing Council, an Executive Committee and a Director General. It maintains links with many United Nations, governmental and non-governmental organisations.
Eco-investing or green investing is a form of socially responsible investing where investments are made in companies that support or provide environmentally friendly products and practices. These companies encourage new technologies that support the transition from carbon dependence to more sustainable alternatives. Green finance is "any structured financial activity that’s been created to ensure a better environmental outcome."
The Idaho Department of Commerce is the state-level economic development agency for the State of Idaho. It utilizes resources at the state level to improve the state's economic growth by issuing public grants, tax credits, and tax exemptions.
EurObserv'ER is a consortium dedicated to the monitoring of the development of the various sectors of renewable energies in the European Union.
Most of Kenya's electricity is generated by renewable energy sources. Access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy is one of the 17 main goals of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Development of the energy sector is also critical to help Kenya achieve the goals in Kenya Vision 2030 to become a newly industrializing, middle-income country. With an installed power capacity of 2,819 MW, Kenya currently generates 826 MW hydroelectric power, 828 geothermal power, 749 MW thermal power, 331 MW wind power, and the rest from solar and biomass sources. Kenya is the largest geothermal energy producer in Africa and also has the largest wind farm on the continent. In March 2011, Kenya opened Africa's first carbon exchange to promote investments in renewable energy projects. Kenya has also been selected as a pilot country under the Scaling-Up Renewable Energy Programmes in Low Income Countries Programme to increase deployment of renewable energy solutions in low-income countries. Despite significant strides in renewable energy development, about a quarter of the Kenyan population still lacks access to electricity, necessitating policy changes to diversify the energy generation mix and promote public-private partnerships for financing renewable energy projects.
Founded in 2008 in Stockholm, Sweden, the World Bioenergy Association (WBA) is an international NGO and non-profit association dedicated to supporting and representing the wide range of actors in the bioenergy sector. Members of WBA include bioenergy organizations, institutions, companies and individuals and its mission statement is to 'promote the use of sustainable bioenergy, globally'.
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) is an intergovernmental organization mandated to facilitate cooperation, advance knowledge, and promote the adoption and sustainable use of renewable energy. It is the first international organisation to focus exclusively on renewable energy, addressing needs in both industrialised and developing countries. It was founded in 2009 and its statute entered into force on 8 July 2010. The agency is headquartered in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi. The Director-General of IRENA is Francesco La Camera, a national of Italy. IRENA is an official United Nations observer.
The United States Energy Association (USEA) is an association of public and private energy-related organizations, corporations, nonprofits, educational institutions, think tanks and government agencies. USEA works with the U. S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to make energy accessible throughout the world by focusing on the viability of electricity, coal, oil, gas, nuclear and renewables. The organization also serves as a resource for the domestic and global energy industry, hosting a variety of events year-round that inform on current energy policy, challenges and technologies. Through its member organizations, USEA shares energy best practices, executes projects, and coordinates research domestically and internationally.