Melbourne to host World Geothermal Congress 2015
Melbourne skyline, Australia (Source: Donaldytong/ commons wikimedia)
Alexander Richter
30 Apr 2010
Melbourne will be the next city to host the World Geothermal Congress, which is co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand in 2015.
Announced in a release today, “Melbourne today officially became the next city to host the World Geothermal Congress, which is expected to generate millions of dollars for the state’s economy.
Welcoming the official handover, via video link to Bali, Energy and Resources Minister Peter Batchelor said hosting the congress in 2015 was a coup for both Victoria and Australia.
“We are committed to establishing Victoria as a research hub in geothermal science and the honour of becoming the next city to host the World Geothermal Congress confirms our strong reputation in the development of clean, sustainable and renewable energy,” Mr Batchelor said.
“The conference is expected to inject $9 million into the Victorian economy.
“Regional Victoria will benefit as delegates take field trips throughout the state.”
Mr Batchelor said the five-day conference brought together geothermal specialists and researchers from around the world to look at geothermal energy use, technology, innovation, sustainability, environmental benefits, risk mitigation and market development.
“More than 2000 delegates, including interstate and international investors, will be looking with great interest at our potential to generate clean electricity from hot rocks deep underground,” he said.
“Geothermal energy is already being used in Victoria, with underground hot water being directly accessed for heating buildings, agricultural wash stations, fish farming and boutique spas.
“The potential for geothermal resources to supply power as part of a greener energy future for Victoria is an exciting prospect.
“Last year we announced the Government would provide up to $25 million to help support the development of a demonstration geothermal power plant in Victoria.
“The Brumby Labor Government is also driving investment in geothermal through our $2.5 million Rediscover Victoria Drilling grant project to support new resource exploration and the $500,000 Geothermal Atlas program to collect geothermal data.
“These initiatives not only benefit the geothermal sector but have potential flow-on benefits for our economy and local communities, like creating new jobs and investment, while supporting development of an environmentally sustainable energy industry to tackle climate change.”
The World Geothermal Congress is held every five years and is organised by the International Geothermal Association.
The congress was secured by the Melbourne Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Australian Geothermal Energy Group and the Australian Geothermal Energy Association. It will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre in April, 2015.”
Source: The Gov Monitor
