ACCEPTABILITY OF GEOTHERMAL

POWER GENERATION PROJECTS

Methodological approach(ELEC 2013 - Santiago, Chile - 4th October 2013)

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Speaker:

Jacques CHOURAKITERANOV

Authors:

Mila GALIANO and Philippe LAPLAIGE ADEME For:

This approach is based on the methodology of project development, including the following phases :

1) Pre-feasibility phase (preliminary survey and surface exploration);

2) Feasibility phase (exploratory drilling);

3) Development phase (drilling of service shafts, establishment of surface facilities);

4) Operation phase ;

5) Dismantling of equipment and site recovery phase .

Methodological Approach for Environmental Excellence in Geothermal Power Generation Projects

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The process includes first the development of an environmental pre-assessment for better integration of environmental issues.

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Before conducting impact studies, the pre-assessment seeks to answer the following questions:

• What are the environmental issues to be considered in the project?

• What data is necessary and sufficient to characterize the issues?

• What are the detailed studies to be carried out within the framework of the impact assessment (preliminary impact study)?

The pre-assessment will be conducted at the scale of potential implementation sites (both pre-selected areas):

Then, upon completion of exploration drilling and for each infrastructure construction phase:

An environmental impact assessment: iterative and integrated approach for each phase of the project: the assessment should emphasize the evasion, impact reduction and compensation measures for successful environmental integration of the project;

Highlighting the concept of clean construction (drilling, access, power plants, buildings, ....);

Implementation of environmental management plans (or environmental management and monitoring plans – EMP, PGE in French).

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The approach must take into account the expectations established in public consultation at each phase of the project, including:

Local and neighbouring population, though public briefings to explain the particular advantages and disadvantages of geothermal energy and its impact on the environment and wellbeing;

Elected officials, state agencies, environmental associations, to refine the selection of project sites according to based on their impact on the environment and local economic development, among others.

The consultation process should be carried out throughout the life of the project until the dismantling phase, through public briefings or open house days to report on the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) defined prior to the construction of facilities the plant.

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Current example in Martinique (FWI), within the framework of the INTERREG Caribbean Geothermal Project Phase 2, with the completion of a pre-assessment or Preliminary Environmental Impact Assessment (PEIA/EPIE in French) prior to the development of exploratory drilling with the definition of an Environmental Management Programme (EMP) :

High geothermal potential

Two areas identified Petite Anse d'Arlet in the South (11 sites approached)

o Petite Anse (Site 7)

Mount Pelee (10 sites approached)

o The hights of Coulée Blanche (Site 9)

o Martineaud (Site 10)

Preliminary EIA and recommendations for public consultation on 2 geothermal projects

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Martinique example (2)

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Contents of the Preliminary Environmental Impact Assessment (PEIA) Context of the study

Pre-assessment of selected sites and rationale for their selection

Definition of the legal status of proposed project sites

Initial state of the environment

Pre-assessment of environmental impacts and proposed measures

Recommendations for an environmental management and monitoring plan   Implementation of consultation

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Martinique example (3)

Pre-assessment of selected sites and justification for their selection Environmental issues: data collection and audit

General outline of the project: technical constraints on the basis of existing surveys - Description and main features of projects

Environmental constraints of the sites

Initial stateFutur state

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Martinique example (4)

Defining the legal status of the proposed project sites

Identify constraints that apply to all sites: specific regulations on geothermal energy including Mining Code, Water Act

“Decentralised” regulatory constraints o Environmental Code in connection with the protection of areas

o Planning Code: compatibility with the SAR/MSMV, the SCoT and POS/PLU

o Natural Disaster Prevention Plan

o the SDAGE

o Charter of the Regional Natural Park

o Coastal Act

o Mountain Act

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Martinique example (5)

Initial state of the environment

Topics studiedo Physical environment

o Flora, fauna and biodiversity

o Sites and landscapes

o Human activities and lifestyle

Methods of analysiso Data collection and audit

o On-site research, including fauna and flora

o Definition and prioritization of environmental issues

o Identification of current knowledge gaps

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Martinique example (6)

Pre-evaluation of environmental impacts and measures Evaluation Methodology

Exploratory period and exploitation period

Nature of the impacts in regulatory terms: positive/negative, direct/indirect, temporary/permanent effects, cumulative impacts

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Martinique example (7)

Recommendations for an Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan

What about the EMP? Details on the methods and procedures implemented by the MO to meet its environmental commitments

Recommendations from the preliminary impact studyo Tentative draft based on the preliminary study

o Thematic sheets (e.g., management of noise and vibration during the exploratory phase)

• Title

• Objective

• Actions

• Documentation included in the EMP

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Martinique example (8)

The four key points of the Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan (EMP) are:

The environmental survey to determine the project's environmental impacts (zero point of the environment);

The definition of action plans to reduce environmental impacts and improve the environmental performance of the project (construction and operation);

Training and awareness-raising of staff and people involved in the project (drilling companies, plant operator, etc.);

The field monitoring programme to anticipate and evaluate the project in the field and implement corrective and preventive actions during the exploratory and exploitation phases.

The EMP must be presented at scheduled public meetings and implemented in accordance with the proposals made by local stakeholders (elected officials, CSOs, public, residents, etc.) and taking into account their technical feasibility.

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Martinique example (9)

Objectives of consultationo Enhance and share the findings (state of

the environment, state of knowledge on the impact of geothermal energy on the environment and socio-economic activities)

o Pose and discuss important questions

o Draft the EMP in with a co-constructive approach

Materials usedo Graphic representation of Tendem-

Footprinto Mapping including an overview of

environmental issues

o Generic sheets of environmental impacts and related measures

Consultation (elected officials, State agencies, CSOs, public)

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Martinique example (10)

Consultation (elected officials, State agencies, CSOs, public) Three public meetings per site

Preparation of communication materials (PPT)

Discussion facilitation

Summary of discussions and decisions (report)

Development of a "general public" booklet

Another example - Dominica. Background papers based on the environmental feasibility study of the geothermal prospect in Valley Roseau, Dominica (INTERREG Caribbean Geothermal Project Phase 1 - Nov 2008)

16General public brochure on geothermal energy

Brochure on the local issues of geothermal energy linked to the project

Dominica example (2)

Brochure on environmental impacts and mitigation measures to be implemented

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Promotion of the process with the production of a “Guide for environmental excellence for geothermal energy” within the framework of the Caribbean Geothermal Project Phase 2 (ongoing)

The guide is primarily a methodological guide, based on a chronological approach to the development and life cycle of a typical project:

Step by step, from the identification of resources, through facility construction and operation, to dismantling of equipment and site recovery,

maintaining the objective of ensuring the best possible integration of the project in its natural and human environment.

 For each step described above, the guide will discuss and develop the integration of environmental aspects to meet the goal of a successful environmental integration project:

impacts of technical options on the natural and/or human environment

measures to:o Assess the impactso Reduce themo Offset themo Monitor them

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Thank you - Muchas Gracias - Merci

www.ademe.fr www.teranov.com

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