Penola-Robe Geothermal Project Explored by Geothermal Resources

Geothermal Resources has undertaken exploration projects for the purpose of harnessing geothermal energy. The current projects of the company are the Penola-Robe project (formerly Crower project) and Frome project.

The Penola-Robe project, explored by Geothermal Resources, covers a total area of about 3000 square kilometres. It is situated in the Otway Basin in South East SA. This region has always been known for its high heat flows. The two varied types of geothermal reservoirs in the region are hot fractured rocks and hot sedimentary aquifers. The hot fractured rock consists of granite in the core that can be used for the purpose of hydro-fracturing. In the second reservoir, water in temperatures between 125 degree Celsius and 150 degree Celsius from an aquifer is circulated in a Organic Rankine Cycle system in order to generate electricity.

One of the most important hot sedimentary aquifers of the Penola-Robe project, developed and explored by Geothermal Resources, is the Pretty Hill Formation. This aquifer is made of sandstone that has been formed during the development of the basin. An advantage for this project is the number of power lines that run across it.