Torrens Energy has secured a GEL in the Port Augusta area which covers two coal fired power stations, Northern and Playford. This could allow for Hybrid Power Production.

“Technical studies completed overseas show that geothermal energy can conceptually be harnessed and applied directly to existing fossil fuel-powered power production,” Torrens Energy chief executive Chris Matthews said.

“This process has been termed `hybrid geothermal pre-heating’ and involves elevating the water temperature prior to being injected into the steam turbine process common to coal power generation.”

The company has also mentioned it’s plans to desalinate water from the northern end of the Spencer Gulf.

“Using geothermal heat to effectively what we call flash desalinate sea water which means effectively boiling it and distilling off the water in that way,” he explained.

“We believe that there is good potential for geothermal energy and therefore direct geothermal desalination of sea water.”

» Geothermal company looks at desalination - ABC, 25th June 2007.
» Exploration licence may bring hot rock powered desal plant -ABC, 26th June 2007.
» ‘Hybrid’ geothermal process - Adelaide Advertiser, 26th June 2007.

Opposition leader Kevin Rudd has announced plans to provide a $50 million cash injection into the Geothermal industry if elected into power later this year. The funds would have to be matched by industry.

This has helped today push the share price of Australia’s listed geothermal energy companies up between 8 and 28 per cent.

“Geothermal energy holds the promise of being a renewable energy source with zero greenhouse gas emissions that can operate 24 hours a day providing critical baseload power for Australian homes and industries,” an ALP statement says.

Meanwhile, it was reported executives from Geodynamics & Petratherm were in Canberra yesterday informing the current Federal Government what it can do to help Hot Rocks in the next 6 to 8 months.

The opposition has indicated their contribution to the Hot Rock industry could be used to fund drilling rigs. Lack of drill rig availability and crews due by the resource boom is hindering progress in the Hot Rock sector. Geodynamics has just paid $32 million for a Lightning Rig manufactured in Huston by LeTourneau Technologies Inc, after having difficulty contracting a suitable rig in Australia.

» Hot rocks firms just got hotter - The Adelaide Advertiser, June 1st 2007.
» Hot rocks could get a big boost - ABC Science, June 1st 2007.
» Labor gazumps PM with climate plan - The Age, May 31st 2007.
» Rudd in fund race - The Courier Mail, May 31st 2007.

The Victoria government has just issued its first round of Geothermal Exploration Permits (GEPs).

Hot Rock Ltd, Karoon Gas Australia, Geogen Victoria, Torrens Energy Ltd, Proactive Energy Developments Ltd and Greenearth Energy Ltd each picked up a licence in the first round covering 80,000 square kilometres.

» Six companies begin energy search in Vic - Sydney Morning Herald, April 26 2007.