Australia is amongst the forefront of Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) and Hot Sedimentary Aquifer (HSA) ventures. With no active extensional regimes generating high-permeability systems of fluid-borne crustal heat, commercially-viable geothermal systems in Australia depend on trapping heat from radiogenic decay.

In principle the EGS and HSA concepts are simple. Recent outcomes of Australia’s geothermal deep-drilling projects have, however, indicated that extracting heat at sufficient rates from these unconventional geothermal resources is still a challenge. The Australian research community is aiming to overcome these challenges through activities that focus on: characterising the geothermal resources in Australia; understanding the nature of in situ permeability; developing methods to target areas of high in situ permeability; developing methods to enhance in situ permeability; and, developing technologies to increase the efficiency of heat use/ conversion.

The Australian geothermal research community includes the three dedicated geothermal research centres in Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia, that have been established with complementary programs to achieve research outcomes most efficiently. These centres have significantly increased the geothermal research capacity and capability in Australia, augmenting the geothermal programs at Geoscience Australia, the CSIRO and selected Universities in Australia and New Zealand. These research organisations have established the Geothermal Research Initiative (GRI) to provide a mechanism for coordinating research activities and a focal point for industry and government to access research services

Geothermal energy development in Australia will be best advanced through a combined effort by all participants in the sector, working collaboratively to overcome the challenges and technology needs of the industry. This collaboration is facilitated by the Australian Geothermal Energy Group (AGEG) and its Technical Interest Groups (TIG), where research needs are prioritised by the industry and researchers, and collaboration and communication across the sector is enabled.

This paper provides a guide to the research activities in Australia, outlining the programs and areas of expertise of the key research groups working in the geothermal arena, and provides contacts and sources for more information. We also discuss the role that AGEG plays in facilitating collaboration between researchers, industry and government.

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