Hot rocking engineers

Independent Weekly
Friday 10/10/2008 Page: 22

No matter what side of the climate change debate you reside on there is no denying the exponential growth in electricity demand worldwide. Incredibly, consumption of electricity is projected to grow by nearly 100 per cent by 2020. Increasing demand for energy and concern over the ill effects of carbon dioxide on the atmosphere has produced an urgent need to explore clean, renewable sources of energy.

Further expansion of nuclear energy is largely unpopular and large-scale hydroelectric projects are now considered environmentally irresponsible. Solar and wind energy technologies have advanced and currently augment electricity supplies, but further advancement is required before these sources of electricity can be suitable as a base load power supply.

Hot Fractured Rock (HFR) geothermal energy is a known source of renewable energy with the capacity to carry large base loads. HFR geothermal energy is environmentally clean and does not produce greenhouse gases. HFR works by utilising heat generated by special high heat producing granites located 3km or more below the Earth's surface. The heat inside these granites is trapped by overlying rocks which act as an insulating blanket.

The heat is extracted from these granites by circulating water through them in an engineered, artificial reservoir. Standard geothermal power stations convert the extracted heat into electricity. GeoDynamics Ltd has been constructing a 1MW proof of concept plant near Innamincka in South Australia to generate electricity using HFR. This has the potential to make South Australia a leader in the generation and supply of renewable clean energy.

As of June 2008,33 companies had applied for geothermal license areas across Australia. According to the Government of South Australia, 23 companies have applied for 237 geothermal licenses covering more than 110,800 sqkm. These licenses account for more than 80 per cent of all geothermal exploration activity underway or proposed throughout Australia.

The upcoming Engineers Australia Breakfast Briefing presentation, to be held on Wednesday, November 12, will hear from Rod Smith, project manager for GeoDynamics Ltd at Innamincka. David Klingberg, chair of the Premiers' Climate Change Council and the 2008 Professional Engineer of the Year, will also deliver a presentation on the impact of climate change and emissions trading.

Attendance is open to Engineers Australia members and the general public. Register your attendance at the Engineers Australia SA Division Office on 82671783 or sa@engineersaustralia.org.au