Speaking at the 2006 Paydirt SA Resources @ Energy Investment Conference in Adelaide yesterday, Geodynamics managing director Bertus de Graaf said the decision would rely on the outcome of two factors, expected by June.
These factors are firstly, the friction level of water flows between the two wells and secondly, the length of time it takes for the current target granites to cool to below sub-economic temperatures as water is circulated continuously between them.
“These are the only two key factors awaiting determination before we are clear to make a decision on proceeding with the first pilot plant in Australia to use hot rocks as a fuel source,” de Graaf said.
“Success with the pilot plant will create the environment where decisions can then be made to establish large baseload geothermal-fuelled power stations of thousands of megawatt hour capacity in the province.”
Geodynamics is developing the Habanero geothermal project in GEL 97 and 98, north-east of Moomba in South Australia’s far north.
The project plans to circulate water between four and five-km deep drill holes within hot granites and return the superheated water to surface where the steam is used to drive generators for electricity.
De Graaf said Geodynamics also hoped by mid-year to announce its first proven geothermal reserve for Habanero.
