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Geothermal research hub for Adelaide

Tuesday, 10 July 2007

The ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide has been awarded $250,000 from the State Government to help develop an international research facility into geothermal energy.

SA Mineral Resources Minister said the seed funding would allow the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ to host ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥'s first research cluster examining all aspects of hot rock enhanced geothermal systems.

The geothermal research facility will be based within the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥'s (ASP).

"The Government sees geothermal as an energy source for the future and by helping the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ establish the research facility here, it will ensure that South ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ is in the vanguard of all facets of developing and demonstrating hot rock systems," Mr Holloway said.

Professor Richard Hillis, Chair of Petroleum Geology at the ASP, said the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ would collaborate with the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥n Geothermal Energy Group and the .

Geothermal energy is generated by converting hot water or steam from deep beneath the Earth's surface into electricity.

Mr Holloway said South ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ represented a hot rock haven for renewable, emissions free power. "The State could provide a very significant part of ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥'s base load power needs by 2030."

"This investment will compliment future developments that the other States, the Northern Territory or the Commonwealth may implement."

ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥-wide, 27 companies have applied for 166 geothermal licences. Between 2002 and 2012 these companies are expected to invest more than $650 million in exploration.

South ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ has attracted 17 companies to apply for 142 geothermal licences with work programs worth more than $550 million for the term 2002-12. That is more than 80% of the national tallies for geothermal licence applications and forecast investment in ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥.

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