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Adelaidean - News from the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide
July 2009 Issue
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State funding secures geothermal energy future

 Geothermal energy

The ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide has been awarded $1.6 million from the State Government to establish a new, world-class centre for geothermal energy research.

The funding - announced recently at the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide by the Premier, the Hon. Mike Rann - will be provided over two years to help establish the new South ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥n Centre of Excellence for Geothermal Research.

"It is an honour that the State Government has chosen the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥'s new geothermal energy centre as the first project to be funded by the Renewable Energy Fund," said the Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor James McWha.

"This funding will enable the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ to establish a world-class centre that will play a key role in helping to deliver a geothermal energy future for South ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥.

"The ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide's expertise in geothermal energy is broad and deep. It includes strong industry links and a very strong collaboration with State Government through PIRSA (Primary Industries and Resources South ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥).

"This new centre will be vitally important in helping the State to achieve its renewable energy production target of 33% by 2020," Professor McWha said.

Professor Richard Hillis, Head of the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥n School of Petroleum, is the interim director of the new South ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥n Centre of Excellence for Geothermal Research at the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide.

"South ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ is uniquely positioned to be at the forefront of ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥'s geothermal industry," Professor Hillis said.

"The State is endowed with the nation's most significant source of hot rocks. It is also home to the majority of geothermal licences in ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ and to the most advanced geothermal projects.

"The new centre will conduct research into enhanced geothermal systems, and in power systems that provide an economically and environmentally viable delivery of geothermal energy.

"The centre will enable South ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ to remain at the forefront of research and development in geothermal energy, and our work will result in major benefits for industry, the community and the environment," Professor Hillis said.

Story by David Ellis

Premier Mike Rann (centre) announcing $1.6 million in funding for the new South ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥n Centre of Excellence for Geothermal Research.  He’s flanked by Bruce Carter, Chair of the RenewablesSA Board (left) and Vice-Chancellor and President Professor James McWha.
Photo by David Ellis

Premier Mike Rann (centre) announcing $1.6 million in funding for the new South ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥n Centre of Excellence for Geothermal Research. He's flanked by Bruce Carter, Chair of the RenewablesSA Board (left) and Vice-Chancellor and President Professor James McWha.
Photo by David Ellis

Full Image (65.84K)

South ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ has the nation’s most significant source of hot rocks, such as those found at the Flinders Ranges

South ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ has the nation's most significant source of hot rocks, such as those found at the Flinders Ranges
Full Image (63.49K)

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