Geothermal energy and water use
Project details
| Objective: |
The project will document the current understanding of geothermal energy and water use in Australia. |
| Funding: |
$60,000 plus applicable GST |
| Jurisdiction: |
National |
| Commenced: |
October 2010 |
| Completed: | November 2011 |
| Outputs: | Waterlines 72: Geothermal energy and water use |
About the project
The development of alternative energy, including geothermal hot sedimentary energy will continue to increase for a number of reasons including climate change, carbon offsets and price. As information about consumptive water use of geothermal hot sedimentary energy is not readily available to water planners, it is difficult to develop water plans that take this water use into account. Combining that information with information about the location of current and prospective geothermal hot sedimentary energy plants will give water planners a baseline of information for consideration in water management and planning decisions.
The project deliverable is a waterlines format guideline document. The waterlines includes current and prospective geothermal energy sites, giving it a reasonable (10 years) useable life.
The project objectives were to:
- summarise current and prospective geothermal energy use (from hot sedimentary aquifers) in Australia
- determine consumptive water use requirements across hot sedimentary aquifer geothermal energy use
- provide discussion around water policy and management, and energy industry issues
- quantify (estimate) volume of geothermal energy consumptive water use
- identify any related water quality or groundwater management issues that will need to be taken into account as the geothermal energy industry expands.
Project benefits
The project provides greater certainty in management decisions for water planners, managers, users and other parties.
The outcomes of the project include:
- water planners able to take geothermal energy water use into account
- energy industry/ water industry information collated
- improved water management across the country.