Geothermal
Overview
Geothermal energy is the heat escaping naturally from the earth’s interior and it is reflected by a global surface heat flow of more than 40 TW. As such, interpreted onshore crustal temperatures in Australia can be translated into an extraordinary energy output of approximately1.9E25 Joules. For comparison, if only 1% of this energy in place could be harnessed before being lost to space, it would represent approximately 25,000 times our present annual electricity consumption nationally.
The climate change issue, energy security concerns and ‘near-peak oil’ have promoted renewed interest in geothermal energy as a mainstream energy option. Geothermal power is arguably one of the only sustainable technologies capable of contributing significantly to our future needs for large scale, low emission, base-load power at a competitive cost.
The Melbourne Energy Institute fosters multi-disciplinary research capabilities in realising our State and Nation’s geothermal energy potential, with a particular focus on improved targeting of geothermal resources, and geothermal reservoir characterisation through predictive modelling.
For more information, please contact Prof Mike Sandiford.
Current Projects: Victorian Geothermal Assessment Report
Research Themes
Conventional Geothermal
Enhanced Geothermal