Geothermal energy exploration in Central Australia
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Geothermal energy exploration in Central Australia is an area of considerable activity, which 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.[1]
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[edit] Exploration and drilling
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. Australian pioneer Geodynamics has proved flow of geothermal energy from its Habanero 1 and 2 wells and completed drilling a third well, Habenero 3, to a depth of over 4km in early 2008. The company intends to develop a demonstration power station based on these wells. Petratherm has drilled two wells and deepened one, Paralana 1B that suggests temperatures of 200 degrees Celsius at 3.6 km and the next step is to take one well Paralana to 3.6 km and flow test for proof-of-concept.[1]
As at 2007 there were 19 companies Australia-wide in 141 areas spending $A654 million in exploration programmes. In South Australia, where most of the hot rock exploration had occurred until 2008, 12 companies have applied for exploration permits in 116 areas and can be expected to invest $A524 M ($US435 M) in their projects in the next six years[citation needed]. Ten projects are expected to achieve successful exploration and proof of concept, that is, heat flows, by 2010, and at least three power generation demonstration projects on stream by 2012.[1]
[edit] Future potential
South Australia has been described as "Australia's hot rock haven" and this emissions free and renewable energy form could provide an estimated 6.8% of Australia's base load power needs by 2030.[1] According to an estimate by the Centre for International Economics, Australia has enough geothermal energy to contribute electricity for 450 years.[2]
[edit] Politics
On 30 May 2007, Australian opposition environmental spokesperson Peter Garrett announced that if elected at the 2007 Australian Federal Election, the Australian Labor Party would subsidise putting the necessary drilling rigs in place. In an interview he said:
"There are some technical difficulties and challenges there, but those people who are keen on getting Australia into geothermal say we've got this great access to resource and one of the things, interestingly, that's held them back is not having the capacity to put the drilling plants in place. And so what we intend this $50 million to go towards is to provide a one for one dollars. Match $1 from us, $1 from the industry so that they can get these drilling rigs on to site and really get the best sites identified and get the industry going."[3]
[edit] See also
- Geothermal desalination
- Geothermal energy in the United States
- List of Australian renewable energy topics
- List of renewable energy topics by country
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d Big energy role for central Australia’s hot rocks
- ^ Scientists get hot rocks off over green nuclear power
- ^ Garrett discusses Labor's stance on climate change, Lateline, 30 May 2007
[edit] External links
- Geothermal energy
- Energy company Torrens makes hot ASX debut
- Geodynamics says it has 'hottest rocks on earth'
- Hot rock energy
- Centre to study geothermal energy
- Primary Industries and Resources SA - Geothermal Energy
- $3m For SA Geothermal Energy Project
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