SEL 26/2005 Tenement
KUTh has been granted Special Exploration Licence SEL26/2005 by Mineral Resources Tasmania (MRT) which is shown below in grey; areas not included with the tenement are shown in black (these areas include Commonwealth land, National Parks and existing Mining Leases).
Map of Tasmanian tenements
Granted SEL26/2005 in grey (with internal exclusions in black) and new application SEL45/2007 in hatching
Q1. What is proposed?
This project is directed towards finding and evaluating hot dry rocks (HDR) from which energy may be extracted, ultimately as electricity. We believe it to be the first licence application in Tasmania for geothermal substances.
Q2. Why HDR?
HDR geothermal power is ideal for base load generation, and is the only green source of energy with a constant availability free of weather, drought, land degredation and seasonal effects. No greenhouse gases are produced. It is a pollution free dual closed loop system, occupies very little land area (only that required to house generating equipment and wellheads), is a renewable source of energy and unlike the hydro system does not generate environmental problems with large flooded water areas and flow modifications to river systems. Nor does HDR compete with other uses for water as does hydro generation, e.g. the competition between irrigation and hydro power for limited water resources. Wind farms are reported to be distressingly noisy and create visual and faunal problems to the extent that a permit has just been refused in Victoria (July 2005) because of concerns for wedge tail eagles.
Q3. What are the possible effects on Tasmania?
Adding geothermal base load capacity would significantly change and expand the future energy possibilities for Tasmania. A fuller discussion is given in the Literature section.
Q4. Why this area?
The technical reasons are set out in the paper in the Literature section. In summary the area contains good granite heat sources with a thermal blanket of sediments. There is reason to expect high enough temperatures at reasonable depths to provide an energy source.
Q5. Why are the major urban areas of Hobart and Launceston included?
Should the project proceed to power generation it will have minimal space and environmental impact. It may be possible to generate electricity close to or within demand centres so avoiding large transmission systems. Demand centres included are Hobart, Triabunna, Launceston and Bell Bay.
Q6. What rules govern the exploration project?
The Mineral Resources Development Act administered by MRT sets out requirements which are elaborated in the Mineral Exploration Code of Conduct. There are extensive provisions designed to promote exploration that is satisfactory to those affected including requirements and procedures for access to privately owned lands and remediation processes. Planning schemes may impose additional requirements.