Seequent and the International Geothermal Association Partner to Unlock Geothermal Energy's Potential for a Sustainable Future

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Seequent and the International Geothermal Association Partner to Unlock Geothermal Energy's Potential for a Sustainable Future

2024-11-21 16:28 Last Updated At：16:40

AUCKLAND, New Zealand--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 21, 2024--

Seequent, The Bentley Subsurface Company, today announced a strategic partnership with the International Geothermal Association (IGA) to boost geothermal energy’s role as a sustainable and reliable renewable energy source.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241120526473/en/

Geothermal draws energy from hot fluids travelling through the Earth's subsurface. These fluids are utilised to drive turbines producing electricity, directly to heat homes or in industrial processes. Traditionally, geothermal energy has been viewed as energy restricted to environments where it is visible - however new technological breakthroughs and the realities of needing 24/7 access to energy are changing the investment landscape.

The International Geothermal Association is the leading global platform on geothermal energy.

Marit Brommer, Chief Executive Officer, IGA, said: "Geothermal energy has been overlooked as a reliable and sustainable energy source. It is uniquely positioned to provide this, and partnerships like this are essential to accelerating its growth. We are excited to partner with Seequent, whose technological innovations in subsurface modelling bring clarity to geothermal development, empowering countries to leverage this clean energy resource and drive meaningful progress toward global net zero goals. We encourage other industry leaders and companies to join and amplify promotion of geothermal, as collaborative efforts are key to unlocking geothermal's full potential for a sustainable future."

Seequent software supports more than half of the world’s geothermal electricity production, bringing clarity to a complex unseen challenge of managing subsurface resources. The company has long been at the forefront of technical advancements in the industry, for example, bringing geothermal energy directly to heat homes in Paris and Munich.

Graham Grant, Chief Executive Officer, Seequent, said: “Seequent is honoured to partner with the International Geothermal Association for the next two years. We will work with global partners to build clear and consistent messaging for the industry, positioning geothermal as a vital contributor to the energy transition. We will also work together to promote best practice and partner on major events, including as a Diamond Sponsor in the digitalisation category for the 2026 World Geothermal Congress.”

Seequent’s latest innovations include adding new physics capabilities to its software to trace fluids more accurately, ultimately leading to more efficient resource management and a more sustainable geothermal operation.

Graham Grant added: “An emerging use case for geothermal is the rise of hyperscale AI-enabled data centres which represent a rapidly emerging new form of power demand requiring reliable baseload, or consistent, power supply. Geothermal is the cleanest form of renewable energy able to provide this baseload power and should play a key role in future data centre strategy globally.”

Seequent customer Fervo Energy is applying oil and gas technology to find new ways to produce geothermal energy for Google’s data centres in the Nevada desert.

Jack Norbeck, Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder, Fervo Energy, said: “Seequent’s partnership with the International Geothermal Association marks an important step in advancing the role of geothermal in the global energy transition. At Fervo, we’ve experienced firsthand how Seequent’s technologies enhance our ability to manage and optimise geothermal reservoirs. This collaboration promises to support the industry's growth, helping unlock geothermal’s potential to deliver sustainable, around-the-clock energy to meet the world’s growing demand for clean power.’

The latest UN Emissions Report found geothermal energy had the potential to mitigate more energy emissions by 2035 than carbon capture and storage, or bioenergy, or the reduction of methane emissions from coal mining.* The UN’s assessment did not include unique downstream benefits in horticulture and agriculture, or the potential opportunities related to technological advances in mineral extraction.

The Director General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has said geothermal energy production in Europe could grow eight-fold by 2050**, and the US Department of Energy predicts that similar advancements could drive a 26-fold increase. The US Department of Interior announced last month that it has begun unlocking permitting constraints on public lands.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

* p57, appendix, UN Emissions Report 2024 here.

** European geothermal capacity could grow eight-fold by 2050

About Seequent:Seequent, The Bentley Subsurface Company, helps organisations to understand the underground, giving them the confidence to make better decisions faster. Seequent builds world-leading technology that is at the forefront of Earth sciences, transforming the way our customers work. Every day we help them develop critical mineral resources more sustainably, design and build better infrastructure, source renewable energy, and reduce their impact on the environment. Seequent operates in 150 countries while proudly maintaining headquarters in New Zealand.

Newsroom:https://www.seequent.com/company/news-media/
Seequent on LinkedIn and X.

About the International Geothermal Association: The International Geothermal Association (IGA), is the leading global platform on geothermal energy, serving as a hub for networking opportunities aimed at promoting and supporting global geothermal development. With industry partners the IGA sets standards, mature the technology agenda and nurture entrepreneurs engaged in clean technology.

With its four pillars Visibility, Sustainability, Partnerships and Authority, the IGA is committed to push geothermal as a gamechanger for achieving Sustainable Development Goal #7 providing affordable, clean, baseload energy for all.

IGA on LinkedIn

© 2024 Bentley Systems, Incorporated. Bentley, Seequent and the Seequent logo are either registered or unregistered trademarks or service marks of Bentley Systems, Incorporated or one of its direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiaries.

American and Australian tourists die, raising toll to 4 in Laos alcohol poisoning incident

2024-11-21 16:35 Last Updated At：16:40

VIENTIANE, Laos (AP) — An Australian teenager has died after drinking tainted alcohol in Vang Vieng, Laos, in what Australia's prime minister on Thursday called every parent's nightmare, and the U.S. State Department confirmed an American also died in the same party town, bringing the death toll to four.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told Parliament that 19-year-old Bianca Jones had died after being evacuated from Laos for treatment in a Thai hospital. Her friend, also 19, remains hospitalized in Thailand.

“This is every parent’s very worst fear and a nightmare that no one should have to endure,” Albanese said. "We also take this moment to say that we’re thinking of Bianca’s friend Holly Bowles who is fighting for her life."

Shaun Bowles told reporters outside Bangkok Hospital the day before that his daughter was in critical condition and on life support.

“We just like to thank everyone from back home for all of the support and love that we’re receiving,” he said. “But we’d also like the people to appreciate right now, we just need privacy so we can spend as much time as we can with Holly.”

In a statement to the Melbourne Herald Sun newspaper, Jones' family asked for privacy in their grief.

“She was surrounded by love, and we are comforted by the knowledge that her incredible spirit touched so many lives during her time with us,” the family wrote.

“We want to express our deepest gratitude for the overwhelming support, love, and prayers we’ve received from across Australia.”

The State Department confirmed to The Associated Press in an emailed statement that an American tourist had also died but said it had no further comment out of respect to the family.

It said local authorities were investigating and that the U.S. was providing consular assistance.

“We offer our sincerest condolences to the family on their loss,” the State Department said.

Telephone numbers listed for Laos' Health Ministry did not work and police refused to comment.

Landlocked Laos is one of Southeast Asia's poorest nations and a popular tourist destination. Vang Vieng is particularly popular among backpackers seeking partying and adventure sports.

Details on the alcohol poisoning began trickling out about a week after the two Australian women fell ill on Nov. 13 following a night out drinking with a group in the remote town.

They are believed to have consumed drinks tainted with methanol, which is sometimes used as the alcohol in mixed drinks at disreputable bars and can cause severe poisoning or death.

Thai authorities confirmed that Jones had died by “brain swelling due to high levels of methanol found in her system.”

“Drink spiking and methanol poisoning are far too common in many parts of the world,” Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said after receiving news of Jones' death.

"At this time I would say to parents, to young people, please have a conversation about risks, please inform yourselves, please let’s work together to ensure this tragedy doesn’t happen again.”

New Zealand's Foreign Ministry said Thursday that one of its citizens was also unwell in Laos and could be a victim of methanol poisoning. Denmark's Foreign Ministry, when asked about the poisoning incident, said Wednesday that two of its citizens had died in Laos but would not provide further details.

“We have updated our travel advisory for Laos to note that there have been several cases of suspected methanol poisoning after consuming alcoholic drinks,” New Zealand's Foreign Ministry said.

“Travelers are advised to be cautious about consuming alcoholic beverages, particularly cocktails and drinks made with spirits that may have been adulterated with harmful substances.”

Australia also updated its travel advice, cautioning that several foreign nationals had been victims of suspected methanol poisoning in Laos this month. The U.S. did not immediately issue an updated travel advisory.

On Tuesday, Duong Duc Toan, manager of the Nana Backpacker Hostel where the two Australian women stayed in Vang Vieng, told the AP that staff were told by other guests that the two women were unwell after they failed to check out as planned on Nov. 13, and they arranged transport to a hospital for them.

The women were then transported to Thailand for emergency medical treatment and their parents flew in to be with them.

“All Australians offer them our deepest sympathy in this time of heartbreak,” Albanese said.

“Bianca’s trip should have been a joyous time and a source of fond memories in years to come,” he said. “It is beyond sad that this was not to be.”

Rising reported from Bangkok. Jutarat Skulpichetrat in Bangkok, Rod McGuirk in Melbourne, Australia, and Charlotte Graham-McLay in Wellington, New Zealand, contributed to this story.