Greenvale gets ball rolling for geothermal power

Greenvale Energy plans to build a power station in Longreach using geothermal development company CeraPhi Energy's closed-loop technology. The companies have executed a binding heads of agreement that will see CeraPhi Energy deliver a feasibility study for the Longreach geothermal project and also gives Greenvale the option to use its CeraPhiWell system. “We are very excited to be working with the CeraPhi Energy team," Greenvale chief executive officer Mark Turner said. "Not only will their skills and experience be of great benefit in advancing Greenvale’s geothermal project areas, but the option to utilise their proprietary patents will undoubtedly prove invaluable as our geothermal strategy advances.” Greenvale is exploring new sustainable energy technologies and opportunities in parallel with the advancement of its flagship Alpha torbanite project. It has chosen Longreach as the pilot area for its geothermal energy strategy and will partner with CeraPhi Energy to assess the effectiveness of its proprietary patents for the CeraPhiWell down-hole heat exchanger system. Greenvale said the technology would enable Greenvale to produce 24/7 baseload renewable energy with no groundwater usage, making it an environmentally friendly and sustainable option. The company has also welcomed the Queensland State Government's recent decision to develop the CopperString project, which runs through its Millungera Basin geothermal prospects. It said the successful implementation of the Longreach project was expected to pave the way for a larger-scale geothermal energy plant in the Millungera Basin, in line with the advancement of the CopperString transmission project. In parallel with the engagement of CeraPhi Energy, Greenvale has lodged a formal connection enquiry with Ergon Energy regarding the potential for a geothermal energy plant at Longreach. The company said understanding the grid connection costs would allow it to assess the potential commercial pathways available if the Longreach permit proceeded to development. The Greenvale team has also started investigating the possibility of private off-take partners for any power generated at Longreach. Geothermal closed-loop technology Fluid is circulated through the system (blue) down to the heat exchanger (1) where temperatures at the bottom of the well results in the conduction of thermal energy (red), which is returned to the surface heat exchanger (2). The thermal energy, in a controlled combination of pressure and temperature, is then routed through the surface heat exchanger to another medium within the Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) plant. This energy expands into the ORC turbine (3), internally turning the generator to produce electricity (4). The hot fluid is then directed to the coolers (5), condensing into a cooler state and returning to the surface heat exchanger (2), where the well circulation reheats it. Power is sent to the substation (6) for transmission to the end user. Greenvale says this technology offers several significant environmental advantages over traditional geothermal technologies. It requires no fracking, reduces the release of greenhouse gases and closed-loop systems involve no water use, no produced brine or solids, and no degradation of aquifers. In addition, geothermal technology can provide the same steam power as coal-fired power plants, making it a viable replacement option for coal, the company says. This means that geothermal energy can play a crucial role in transitioning to more sustainable energy sources.

Greenvale gets ball rolling for geothermal power

Industry Queensland

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