$15M Qld Geothermal Energy Centre a ‘nation-leader’: Bligh
Published Thursday, 27 September, 2007 at 08:52 AM
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
26 September 2007
THE State Government will establish a nation-leading Centre of Excellence to ensure Queensland is best placed to take advantage of the emerging source of ‘hot rocks’ or geothermal energy, Premier Anna Bligh said today.
“Geothermal or ‘hot rocks’ energy has the potential to generate one fifth of Australia’s total electricity needs over the next 25 years without producing any carbon dioxide emissions,” said Ms Bligh.
Geothermal energy is produced from heat generated and captured from deep inside the earth.
The Premier said that the State Government would provide $15 million over the next five years to establish the Queensland Geothermal Energy Centre of Excellence. The University of Queensland will contribute a further $3.3 million for the centre’s establishment.
“This centre will ensure the Smart State leads the nation in developing the skills base and technological know-how to develop large-scale, zero-emission power generation,’’ Ms Bligh said.
“The centre will establish a critical mass of scientific and engineering expertise specialising in geothermal power generation which will help make Queensland a hub for developing this exciting new technology.’’
Queensland has massive geothermal energy resources in the Cooper and Eromanga basins in the State’s South West (see attached map), potentially capable of supplying the entire nation with electricity for the next 6000 years.
“Work by specialist geothermal companies indicates that these resources could generate large amounts of zero emission power.
“However, if the resource is to live up to its potential key challenges remain, such as developing the expertise to reliably drill up to 5km into the earth and transmitting large amounts of power over long distances due to the remoteness of geothermal sites.
“This centre of excellence will put Queensland in the driver’s seat regarding the development of relevant research to help address these issues,’’ she said.
“It will also allow research collaborations on geothermal energy with leading global institutions, such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology.’’
“The University of Queensland will seek to work with the University of Adelaide, the International Energy Agency which runs a cooperative program on geothermal research and technology and other national and overseas institutions with interests in geothermal energy.”
The Government’s $15 million commitment to establish the centre will be funded from the Renewable Energy Fund and the Climate Change Fund established as part of ClimateSmart 2050.
Media contact: Premier’s Office 3224 4500
THE State Government will establish a nation-leading Centre of Excellence to ensure Queensland is best placed to take advantage of the emerging source of ‘hot rocks’ or geothermal energy, Premier Anna Bligh said today.
“Geothermal or ‘hot rocks’ energy has the potential to generate one fifth of Australia’s total electricity needs over the next 25 years without producing any carbon dioxide emissions,” said Ms Bligh.
Geothermal energy is produced from heat generated and captured from deep inside the earth.
The Premier said that the State Government would provide $15 million over the next five years to establish the Queensland Geothermal Energy Centre of Excellence. The University of Queensland will contribute a further $3.3 million for the centre’s establishment.
“This centre will ensure the Smart State leads the nation in developing the skills base and technological know-how to develop large-scale, zero-emission power generation,’’ Ms Bligh said.
“The centre will establish a critical mass of scientific and engineering expertise specialising in geothermal power generation which will help make Queensland a hub for developing this exciting new technology.’’
Queensland has massive geothermal energy resources in the Cooper and Eromanga basins in the State’s South West (see attached map), potentially capable of supplying the entire nation with electricity for the next 6000 years.
“Work by specialist geothermal companies indicates that these resources could generate large amounts of zero emission power.
“However, if the resource is to live up to its potential key challenges remain, such as developing the expertise to reliably drill up to 5km into the earth and transmitting large amounts of power over long distances due to the remoteness of geothermal sites.
“This centre of excellence will put Queensland in the driver’s seat regarding the development of relevant research to help address these issues,’’ she said.
“It will also allow research collaborations on geothermal energy with leading global institutions, such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology.’’
“The University of Queensland will seek to work with the University of Adelaide, the International Energy Agency which runs a cooperative program on geothermal research and technology and other national and overseas institutions with interests in geothermal energy.”
The Government’s $15 million commitment to establish the centre will be funded from the Renewable Energy Fund and the Climate Change Fund established as part of ClimateSmart 2050.
Media contact: Premier’s Office 3224 4500