News

Geodynamics starts commissioning work of Habanero EGS Pilot Plant

Geodynamics starts commissioning work of Habanero EGS Pilot Plant Steam flowing at Habanero 4 during well clean-up program on Oct. 20, 2012, Australia (source: Geodynamics)
Alexander Richter 3 Apr 2013

Geodynamics reaches a key milestone in EGS development preparing now the commissioning of its 1 MW Habanero Pilot Plant based on an engineered geothermal system.

Geodynamics Limited (ASX:GDY) reports “that it has reached a key milestone in the Habanero Project, with the commencement of commissioning activities today at the 1MWe Habanero Pilot Plant.

The Company has received approvals from the South Australian, Department for Manufacturing, Innovation, Trade, Resources and Energy (DMITRE) for the Commissioning and Running of the 1MWe Habanero Pilot Plant. All construction, electrical instrumentation and safety systems installation works at the plant have been completed and pre-commissioning activities and safety checks finalised. Geodynamics has issued notification to DMITRE that it intends to commence commissioning of the
plant today.

Commissioning of the plant will begin with the introduction of hot brine flow from Habanero-4 into the plant to warm-up the brine system and commence generation of  steam.

In parallel to the commissioning activities in the Habanero Pilot Plant, the isolation plug installed in the Habanero-1 well is being removed using a Coiled Tubing Unit drilling rig.

Following the removal of the plug, Habanero-1 will be commissioned as an injection well completing the closed loop system with Habanero-4 as the production well.

The closed loop created between Habanero-4 and Habanero-1 (see Figure below) provides the hot circulating geothermal brine used to generate the steam powering the Habanero Pilot Plant turbine. The Company anticipates the plant to be fully commissioned by the end of April, and the trial of the 1MWe Habanero Pilot Plant to run until approximately August.

Figure: Diagram of the 1MWe Habanero Pilot Plant Closed Loop between Habanero-1 and Habanero-4 (source: Geodynamics)

Geodynamics remains well funded to complete these activities. The Company is continuing to draw down its Renewable Energy Demonstration Program grant, in line with the milestones agreed with the Australian Renewable Energy Agency. In addition,Geodynamics has completed and submitted a claim under the Federal Government’s Research and Development Tax Incentive Scheme for a payment totalling $22.1 million.

The Company’s R&D tax return relates to the costs of research and development conducted on the Cooper Basin Enhanced Geothermal Systems Project for the 2011/2012 financial year. Geodynamics expects to receive the funds from the R&D
Tax Incentive Scheme during the June quarter.

Managing Director and CEO Geoff Ward said “The commissioning of the 1 MWe Habanero Pilot Plant is a long anticipated and major milestone for Geodynamics and our shareholders. It marks a significant achievement in Australian and global geothermal exploration and will be the first Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) derived power in Australia. We anticipate building on the
good results achieved in the first two open flow tests and the major stimulation test already undertaken at Habanero-4, through additional open flow testing and closed loop testing we will undertake during the demonstration trial.

The Habanero Project is a world leader in the demonstration of EGS geothermal energy. We acknowledge the government’s support of these important R&D activities, and look forward to a successful completion of this trial.”

Source: Geodynamics release (pdf)