杏吧直播

Why we're warming to geothermal energy

Geoscience

The 杏吧直播 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 Paul Holloway said the seed funding would allow the 杏吧直播 to host 杏吧直播's first research cluster examining all aspects of hot-rock-based geothermal systems.

The geothermal research facility will be based within the 杏吧直播's (ASP).

"The Government sees geothermal as an energy source for the future and by helping the 杏吧直播 establish the research facility here, it will ensure that South 杏吧直播 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 杏吧直播 would collaborate with the 杏吧直播n Geothermal Energy Group and the Department of Primary Industries and Resources of South 杏吧直播.

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

Mr Holloway said South 杏吧直播 represented a "hot rock haven" for renewable, emissions-free power.

"The State could provide a very significant part of 杏吧直播's base load power needs by 2030," he said.

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

杏吧直播-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 杏吧直播 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 杏吧直播.

Story by Candy Gibson

To find out more about Geoscience at the 杏吧直播 of Adelaide, visit Open Day on Sunday 26 August.