Sunday 22/4/2007 Page: 11
Tasmania looks to alternatives for its future energy needs.DIRE warnings of the effects of global warming are focusing attention on renewable forms of energy. In Tasmania hydro-electricity water storages are at historic lows and gas supplies from Victoria have been restricted due to plant maintenance. Hydro Tasmania spent an additional $70 million in the past 12 months on imported power via Basslink and the gas pipeline.
Roaring 40s' Woolnorth wind farm is now complete and capable of producing 140MW, however full production is not expected until transmission line upgrades are completed at the end of the year. However, the State is poised to tap into another form of renewable energy - geothermal or hot rock energy.
In 2005 Hobart-based KUTh Exploration received the State's first special exploration licence to search for suitable sites in the North-East. Its first project is well under way. Unlike hydro-electricity generation, HRE does not create environmental problems with large-scale flooding and disruption to natural river flow systems. Nor does it compete with other users for water or create noise nuisance or visual pollution sometimes claimed of wind generation. It produces zero-emissions and provides base load electricity that does not depend on wind, sun or rain.
HRE research worldwide is being pushed by the ongoing fossil fuel supply squeeze, concern with global warming and political and social change towards sustainable energy practice. Some estimates indicate there is enough geothermal energy present in Australia to provide all of the country's electricity requirements for several thousand years.
Two companies have been at the forefront of Australian research: Queensland-based Geodynamics Ltd and South Australian company Petratherm. Geodynamics is confidant of putting its first power into the grid by 2010.
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