Flagship expands into geothermal research

The Energy Transformed Flagship is expanding its renewable energy portfolio in 2009, developing research capability in geothermal energy to provide zero emission, sustainable power for Australian cities.

Supported by the West Australian State Government and in partnership with the University of Western Australia and Curtin University, CSIRO is seeking to establish a Centre of Excellence for geothermal research in Perth.

Energy Transformed Flagship Executive Officer, Mr Roy Chamberlain believes establishing the Centre is an important step in growing Australia’s geothermal energy industry and reducing the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions.

“The geothermal industry in Australia is in its infancy and while it faces considerable technical challenges it presents an opportunity to make a significant impact on mitigating Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions from the stationary energy sectors,” Mr Chamberlain said.

“The proposed Centre will become a scientific nucleus from which will grow a new Australian research and industry base founded on the utilisation of hot sedimentary aquifers and low grade, direct geothermal heat energy.”

Geothermal energy refers to the natural heat found within the earth. Australia has vast geothermal reserves located at various depths beneath the earth’s surface.

The most accessible forms of geothermal energy in Australia exist in two forms: shallow, hot sedimentary aquifers and deep ‘Hot Rock’ bodies located up to five kilometres beneath the surface.

Many major cities, such as Perth, are built on sedimentary basins. The natural heat flows at less that one kilometre depth below the surface can be utilised directly to provide zero carbon emission power within a metropolitan urban environment.

The direct use of heat extracted from the Perth aquifer has the potential to yield large volumes of hot water (lower than 80^oC) which can be harnessed to power heat-driven processes such as desalination, heating and cooling and dehumidification technologies.

Initially the Centre will focus its research effort on developing and demonstrating the production of geothermal power from the hot sedimentary aquifers in the Perth basin.

“The proposed Centre will provide substantial greenhouse gas abatement through the direct use of heat extracted from the Perth aquifer,” Mr Chamberlain said.

“The capabilities and technologies developed through this initiative will help to establish CSIRO and Australia as leaders in the field of geothermal energy research.”