Geothermal future still promising

www.transcontinental.com.au
26/08/2009

The future of the geothermal industry in Port Augusta is more promising than ever, according to exploration company Torrens Energy. Last week the company, which is based in Port Augusta, announced the results of a survey conducted about eight kilometres north of the city. Hailed a success, the survey revealed key geological formations that could provide a major hot-rock energy resource.

A thick sequence of flat lying insulating sedimentary covering a heat producing basement, demonstrated that a viable geothermal energy could be sourced from as near as 3,500 to 4,500 metres depth. Earlier this month Torrens Energy announced similar positive results from a 2D seismic survey project near Parachilna. The results follow on from the promising discovery of significant heat flows 400 metres from the Davenport Substation in April this year.

The drilling north of Port Augusta was fast tracked after promising heat flows were discovered from a heat drilling operation conducted by Torrens Energy at the Davenport Substation in April this year. Located just 400 metres adjacent to the Port Augusta Power station, the results represented an ideal connection point for the Far North Transmission Network.

Executive director of Torrens Energy John Canaris said that Port Augusta and the northern far north network provide the ideal areas to develop new sources of renewable energy for the state. "We think this location is ideal," Mr Canaris said. "Our interpretation of the seismic data shows that the principal geological elements required for a geothermal play, namely heat producing basement and insulating cover, are present at Port Augusta.

"This fact, coupled with the outstanding heat flow values, demonstrate that Port Augusta has the technical attributes required for viable geothermal temperatures at economic depths." "With connection to a 'RET (renewable energy technology) ready market' via the National Grid…the Port Augusta Project also addresses the key commercial aspects required for successful geothermal development."

An independent study earlier this year, concluded that it would cost about $10 million to initially connect the geothermal energy source to the national power grid. Further drilling is planned for the project. Torrens Energy said the seismic exploration conducted has been supported from a $3 million Federal Government Renewable Energy Development grant.