What Will Make EGS Geothermal Energy a Viable Australian Renewable Energy Option?

Abstract

There are good reasons to expect the Australian geothermal sector to be able to provide zeroemission electricity for the country at an affordable cost, once certain technical challenges are overcome. This paper presents cost estimates for geothermal electricity using the present technology and identifies the areas where technical improvements are anticipated in the next couple of years and how they should influence that cost.

The present proven cost of EGS geothermal electricity is too high to be commercially feasible but is expected to come down to parity with gasfired electricity provided successful outcomes are achieved in some of the current research programs in Australia and elsewhere.