Geothermal power in Australia
Geothermal power in Australia is little used but growing.[1] There are known and potential locations near the centre of the country that have been shown to contain hot granites at depth which hold good potential for development of geothermal energy. Exploratory geothermal wells have been drilled to test for the presence of high temperature geothermal reservoir rocks and such hot granites were detected. As a result, projects will eventuate in the coming years and more exploration is expected to find new locations.
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[edit] Exploration
Exploration involves finding vast blocks of "hot rocks" with fracture systems that could generate electricity through water being injected, circulated through the fractures, and being returned to surface as steam.[2]
There are vast deep-seated granite systems in Central Australia that have high temperatures at depth and these are being drilled by companies such as Geodynamics Ltd, Petratherm, Green Rock Energy and Pacific Hydro to depths of more than four kilometres.
South Australia has been described as "Australia's hot rock haven" and this renewable energy form could provide an estimated 6.8% of Australia's base load power needs by 2030.[2] According to a conservative estimate by the Centre for International Economics, Australia has enough geothermal energy to contribute electricity for 450 years.[3]
Parts of central Tasmania have been identified by KUTh Energy as having the potential to generate up to 280MW of power. Such a resource would be able to supply 25% of Tasmania's electricity needs.[4]
[edit] Projects
[edit] Paralana
The 30 MW Paralana project is located adjacent to the Beverley Uranium Mine. It is an enhanced geothermal system (EGS) project, based on Petratherm’s "heat exchanger within insulator" model.[5]
[edit] Cooper Basin
The 25 MW Cooper Basin demonstration project will demonstrate the potential of hot-rock geothermal energy for zero-emission, base-load power. The project is owned by Geodynamics and will be the world’s first multi-well hot fractured rock power project. Geodynamics has assessed its resource as holding geothermal energy sufficient to support several thousand megawatts of electricity generating capacity.[5]
[edit] Jurien-Woodada
The Jurien-Woodada project, owned by New World Energy Limited, is the most advanced geothermal play in Western Australia for electricity production. The project is adjacent to transmission infrastructure and large resource-driven energy markets in the mid-west region. The project area has the potential to contain both hot sedimentary aquifer and EGS styles and is being assessed for delivery of electricity into Western Australia's South West Interconnected System.
[edit] Companies
| Company Name | Area of operations | Furthest project advancement | Geothermal only | ASX code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geodynamics | Hunter Valley, Innamincka | Advanced pilot plant development | Yes | GDY |
| Earth Heat Resources | South Australia | Current focus is on foreign developments[6] | Yes | EHR |
| Petratherm | Paralana | Resource drilling | Yes | PTR |
| New World Energy | Pilbara, Perth basin | Resource drilling | Yes | |
| Green Rock Energy | Roxby Downs, Perth basin | Resource drilling | Yes | GRK |
| Pacific Hydro | Tenement appraisals | No | ||
| Panax Geothermal | Limestone Coast | Pilot plant production wells | Yes | PAX |
| Greenearth Energy | Anglesea, Gippsland | Pilot plant planning | Yes | GER |
| Torrens Energy | Parachilna | Validation drilling | No | TEY |
| Southern Gold Ltd | Roxby Downs | Temperature mapping | No | SAU |
| Hot Rock Ltd | Penola, Otway Basin | Validation drilling | Yes | HRL |
| Origin Energy | Joint venture partner | No | ORG |
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Geothermal electricity#Utility-grade plants
- ^ a b Big energy role for central Australia’s hot rocks
- ^ Scientists get hot rocks off over green nuclear power
- ^ "Hot rocks set to roll". The Mercury. 2010-02-22. http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2010/02/22/129381_tasmania-news.html. Retrieved 2010-02-22.
- ^ a b Australia Invests $235 Million In Renewable Energy Projects The Gov Monitor, 9 November 2009.
- ^ "EHR Company Profile". EHR Company Profile. Green Equities. http://greenequities.com.au/index-of-green-equities-on-the-asx/earth-heat-resources-asxehr/. Retrieved 31/1/2012.
[edit] External links
- "Geothermal energy". Environmental Protection Agency, Queensland Government. http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/register/p00395aa.pdf.
- Geodynamics says it has 'hottest rocks on earth' in Cooper Basin
- Hot rock energy
- Centre to study geothermal energy at Univ of Adelaide
- Primary Industries and Resources SA - Geothermal Energy
- $3m For SA Geothermal Energy Project
- "Geothermal Energy - Hot Dry Rocks". CSIRO. http://www-old.dpr.csiro.au/research/hdr.html.
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