Earth's Energy Pioneering Geothermal Exploration in South Australia
Key Ideas
- Earth's Energy aims to revive geothermal energy generation in South Australia's far north using Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) technology.
- The company is leveraging new drilling and EGS methods, inspired by successful projects in the United States, to make geothermal projects more financially viable.
- Despite previous setbacks in the region due to lack of funding, Earth's Energy is confident in the potential of geothermal energy in Australia and is seeking investment to kickstart projects.
Earth's Energy, a Perth-based company, is set to revive geothermal energy generation in South Australia's far north, specifically at Flinders West and Paralana. The company's CEO, Josh Puckridge, believes that their approach, utilizing Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) technology, will differentiate them from past attempts like Petratherm's shelved Paralana project. Geothermal energy is seen as a viable option in Australia despite the lack of active volcanoes due to the heat from hot rocks deep underground. Earth's Energy holds tenement rights to the Paralana site and aims to utilize EGS technology to stimulate heat extraction. Puckridge highlighted advancements in subsurface mapping and horizontal drilling that have made geothermal projects more financially viable. The company's vision is supported by the formation of Fervo Energy in the United States, which has revolutionized EGS technology. With the state government's focus shifting from green hydrogen to geothermal, Earth's Energy is optimistic about the future of geothermal energy in Australia and is actively seeking investment to progress their projects.