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Studies start at shallow plant project in Victoria, Australia

Studies start at shallow plant project in Victoria, Australia Coal mine and plant in Latrobe Valley, Victoria/ Australia (source: flickr/ yewenyi, creative commons)
Alexander Richter 21 May 2011

A shallow geothermal power plant project near Traralgon in Victoria, Australia is seeing start of critical geotechnical studies by geothermal consultancy Hot Dry Rocks.

Reported from Australia, there are some critical geotechnical studies starting near Traralgon in Victoria, Australia.

This would be the state’s first shallow geothermal power plant.

“Geothermal consultancy Hot Dry Rocks said it has identified several suitable existing bore holes to undertake the studies.

The Latrobe Valley Shallow Geothermal Project aims to demonstrate fluid circulation and heat extraction from moderate temperature groundwater resources (90 degrees celsius) at less than 1000 metres depth in the Latrobe Valley.

Project manager Jim Driscoll said establishing the technical and commercial viability of this renewable resource for small-scale electricity production would position Victoria as a global leader in innovative and cost-effective new systems for clean electricity.

“The Latrobe Valley is one of Australia’s most vital strategic energy assets and has favourable geological conditions, namely moderate temperature groundwater at shallow depths capable of supporting such renewable energy plants,” Mr Driscoll said.

“Once completed, the (project) will demonstrate the viability of decentralised power generation in the Latrobe Valley and will potentially lead to dozens of similar projects being rolled out across Victoria.”

It is being funded by a $217,000 grant under the Victorian Government’s Energy Technology Innovation Strategy.

It is expected that the research and development work will be completed by the end of this year with the first electricity generated by the end of 2012.”

Source: Latrobe Valley Express