Geothermal Energy in Australia
As Australia is not situated on a plate boundary, the idea of geothermal energy did of come around as previous power stations were all built near plate boundaries. Nevertheless, Australia has shown to have an abundance of thermal heat that is close to the ground and has plentiful resources for hot rock and hot sedimentary aquifers. Australia also has extensive amounts of uranium ore under the surface of our ground.
In Australia, many geothermal power stations are still developing and are at a 'proof-of-concept' or 'early demonstration/testing stage'. There are now established research and investigation organisations dedicated to geothermal energy. These organisations help promote geothermal energy and compare and evaluate the prospects of hot aquifers or hot rocks to determine a more cost efficient way of producing geothermal energy. This also contributes to lowering the upfront costs of building and extracting resources for geothermal power stations, which is one of the main challenges Australia is facing towards geothermal energy. There are several geothermal power stations under-development in South Australia.
Australia only has one fully operating geothermal power stations, which is in south-west Queensland.
In Australia, many geothermal power stations are still developing and are at a 'proof-of-concept' or 'early demonstration/testing stage'. There are now established research and investigation organisations dedicated to geothermal energy. These organisations help promote geothermal energy and compare and evaluate the prospects of hot aquifers or hot rocks to determine a more cost efficient way of producing geothermal energy. This also contributes to lowering the upfront costs of building and extracting resources for geothermal power stations, which is one of the main challenges Australia is facing towards geothermal energy. There are several geothermal power stations under-development in South Australia.
Australia only has one fully operating geothermal power stations, which is in south-west Queensland.