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Uni of Western Australia - Geothermal
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  • Developing multidisciplinary research to exploit and use low geothermal energy as an emission-free source of power for modern cities. From kilometres below the earth, hot fluids are rising towards the surface and bringing with it the promise of another form of renewable energy.
    Geothermal "hot earth" power is far better than power from traditional fossil fuels in terms of cost-effectiveness and environmental friendliness, but until recently it has been geographically limited to areas near tectonic plate boundaries. Advances in science have expanded the range and size of viable resources, making the possibility of geothermal power development in Australia a near-reality.
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  • Research

  • With key funding support from the WA Government, through the Centres of Excellence in Science and Innovation Program, the Western Australian Geothermal Centre of Excellence brings together researchers, industry, investors and government agencies.
    Bringing low-grade heat to the surface
    The Centre is dedicated to explore low-grade heat in a permeable sedimentary environment and make it available right where it can be used, helping to power modern cities in a low-carbon economy.

    In laying the foundation for Western Australia to exploit heat right where it can be used, the Centre links “below ground” research, by modeling low-to-intermediate-temperature geothermal systems and "above ground” development, bringing to light novel technologies for low-grade heat.

    The Centre's research builds synergy and cooperation between different fields of expertise, including:
    • numerical modeling
    • geophysics
    • geology
    • geochemistry
    • engineering

      • Opportunities

      • Our unique approach broadens the opportunities for the use of geothermal energy in metropolitan urban environments in a time of increasing climate awareness and in view of the need to meet upcoming emission targets.
        Although shallow geothermal sources might not reach the temperatures necessary for electricity generation, they are ideally suited for:
        • direct-driven desalination
        • heating and cooling
        • dehumidification technologies.




        Challenges
        Some challenges in achieving these opportunities need to be addressed, however:

        • Convective upwelling zones need to be accurately targeted.
        • New methods need to be devised to harness low-grade heat.

          • Programs

          • Geothermal groundwater convection in sedimentary basins like the Perth Basin provides a natural underground heat exchanger that can be accessed without artificial hydraulic fracturing because of high natural permeability.
            Since drilling is necessary, the main opportunity in targeting and exploiting low-temperature geothermal systems is to substantially reduce costs: underground fluid flow convection cells provide a natural transfer of heat to shallower levels.
            As a consequence, geothermal power could become more competitive with other forms of power, even in areas with normal or only slightly elevated regional heat flow.
            In this way, the centre addresses an overlooked opportunity for broadening the scope of geothermal use in Australia.

              • Assessment of Perth Basin

              • The Assessment of Perth Basin program uses geological and geophysical data to identify geothermal targets and construct a digital geological model, focusing on the Yarragadee and Lesueur formations and their transport properties.
                We will extend the hydrogeological model for selected portions of the Basin that promise high prospectivity for heat. The prospectivity will be assessed on the basis of geophysical heat estimations, including satellite-based technologies.
                In this module we work closely with Geoscience Australia and use traditional heat flow measurements from available sources. The resulting 3-D model will finally be analysed using a reactive flow convection code developed by the CSIRO for the (now non-operating) pmd*CRC.
                The program for assessment of Perth Basin geothermal opportunities is led by Frank Horowitz (CSIRO) and comprises four sub-programs:
                • Geological model
                • Hydrogeological model
                • Geophysical heat estimation
                • Modelling hydrogeology and convection

              • Optimal use of geothermal resources

              • Through this program, we are investigating the challenge of using heat directly from low-temperature geothermal sources for air conditioning, desalination and dehumidification.
                Our engineering team is working in the lab to develop the first geothermal desalination facility and geothermally powered adsorption cooling devices.
                A crucial metric is the lowermost temperature that a candidate technology must deliver in order to be economically viable. Another aspect to this research is the opportunity to optimally configure such technologies for the recovery of energy out of the geothermal source.
                Finally, we are also working in combining surface engineering and underground heat exchanges for optimal tradeoffs and for infrastructure sustainability.
                Hui Tong Chua (UWA) is leading the program for developing optimal use of geothermal resources. This new research area will rely on tight collaboration between above-ground engineering with below-ground geology/hydrology, with two sub-programs:
                • Geothermal engineering, desalination, dehumidification and cooling
                • Coupling engineering and geology

              • Future potential and deeper resources

              • Our future potential program helps us to prepare to broaden the Centre’s work in the challenging field of developing deeper and hotter geothermal resources.
                It paves the way for future interactions with other State Centres of Excellence by building local expertise.
                As well as identifying deep heat sources through their geochemical signatures, we are investigating the chemical and mechanical facets that contribute to the management of deep permeability in geothermal systems. In the past, industry has identified this as its primary challenge.
                The program for identification of future potential by going deeper comprises both geotechnical and engineering initiatives applicable both to the Perth Basin and for global use. It is led by Steve Reddy (Curtin), with two subprograms:
                • Identification of deep heat and geochemical fingerprinting
                • Extraction of deep heat