The 2011 Australian Geothermal Energy Conference recently took place in Melbourne, bringing together both national and international industry leaders and experts to discuss geothermal potential, policy and projects in Australia, and overseas.
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Australian Geothermal Energy Conference attendees
at the conference dinner. (courtesy ecogeneration)
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The conference – held in Melbourne – was opened by Michael O'Brien, Victorian State Minister for Energy and Resources. Minister O’Brien took the opportunity to highlight Victoria’s contribution to geothermal development by way of the recently doubled $180 million Energy Technology Innovation Strategy – from which funding of $25 million has been granted to Greenearth Energy’s Geelong Geothermal Project.
A host of local and international presenters shared the latest in geothermal developments from their respective parts of the world including Gunter Siddiqui, Deputy Head of Section at the Swiss Federal Office of Energy; and, from the United States, Roland Horne, President of the International Geothermal Association (IGA) and Professor at Stanford University.
Speaking to a gathering on the first night of the event, Mr Horne broached the question: “Does the geothermal industry deliver?”
In response, Mr Horne explained that it was a goal of the industry for 2010 to see the installation of 10,738 megawatts (MW) of geothermal energy worldwide, and that the installation of 10,715 MW was achieved.
He went on to congratulate the Australian geothermal industry on the innovative and courageous steps it is taking.
“Speaking as President of the IGA, the world actually is looking at Australia. If Australia can make it work, everybody can make it work.”
Focus on the Australian geothermal scene is set to continue, as the World Geothermal Congress in 2015 will take place in Melbourne.
As such, international guests at the Australian Geothermal Energy Conference were able to use the event as an introduction to Melbourne, a highlight of which was no doubt the conference dinner held in the glamorous surroundings of the Sebel Hotel in Albert Park.
Entertainment at the dinner was provided by Australian cricketer, footballer, commentator and author Max Walker.
Peter Reid, Exploration Manger at Petratherm, was honoured at the dinner with the Geothermal Industry Recognition Award for his contribution to strengthening the geothermal industry in 2011.
Other conference high points were presentations by Arno Schaaf, Business Development Director for the CSIRO's Petroleum and Geothermal Research activities, who provided an update on the Geothermal Research Initiative, and Alexander Richter, Director of the Canadian Geothermal Energy Association, who delivered a presentation on financing geothermal development in North America.
On the final day of the conference, a panel discussion took place on the topic: ‘What will make enhanced geothermal systems/ geothermal energy a viable Australian renewable energy option?’
The moderated panel featured industry and research experts in geothermal energy, such as Klaus Regenauer-Lieb, Head of the Centre for Western Australian Geothermal Centre of Excellence, and Hal Gurgenci, Director for the Queensland Geothermal Energy Centre of Excellence.
