Raser Technologies, an electric motor and generator maker in Utah, has announced this week that it has identified several targets for a drilling program on geothermal properties in Nevada. Raser had something of a false start with a planned acquisition of AMP Resources that was not consummated, but it appears they are on track to use a license of the Kalina binary cycle technology from AMP coupled with their generators to develop geothermal properties and plants. Raser’s greenfield projects will be instructive to observe as they progress through time.


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Speaking at PowerGen, former CIA-director James Woolsey is quoted as saying:

That the country’s heavy reliance on oil has the two-pronged effect of contributing to global warming and helping to finance global terrorism…We have to move toward renewables, in the interest of averting global warming and our terrorist problem.

Sound energy policy is the cornerstone of our national interests and security. Renewable energy for electricity and transportation coupled with conservation and more efficient energy use present the solution. It is clearly evident that renewable energy is in our national interest. We need only exercise our collective will to make it so.


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According to the American Council on Renewable Energy, investment in renewable energy companies has gone from $28B in 2004 to $71B in 2006. Sooner or later, investors are going to expect a return on that investment or the money will dry up.

The Wilder Hill Clean Energy Index is down 14% in the past year showing that in a strong rally period, renewable shares aren’t necessarily participating. However, the index is still up 50% since its inception in 2004.



There is cause for hope, oil prices remain high, pressure for carbon regulation is steadily increasing, and government support for clean energy is on the uptick (with the notable exception of geothermal energy.)


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In what seems to be common practice among the geothermal companies listed on the Toronto Venture Exchange, Nevada Geothermal has issued 23M units @ $0.55 per unit (a share and a warrant) in order to raise $12.75M in a private placement. Presumably the proceeds will be used to advance the Blue Mountain project.

While it’s clear these smaller geothermal companies are gaining access to funding, it’s unclear if this is a winning strategy in the long term for any party other than Dundee Securities or Jacob & Company Securities (who charge 8-10% commission on each deal.)


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A picture is worth 1,000 words. In one day, Polaris Geothermal saw their market capitalization cut by more than 50%. Why? Because the government of Nicaragua is questioning the validity of their concession in the country. The company’s Nicaraguan subsidiary, PENSA, is already operating at 10MW facility in Jacinta and is actively pursuing plans to expand to 66MW over the next two years.

True or not, the action by the government has had a big impact on the company. If the concession claim is upheld, expect a big uptick in this issue. If not, I would expect further decline even with the bad news already reflected in the share price.


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