Dr Isabelle Chambeforte: Geothermal Scientist and GNS Science lead on the exploration of supercritical geothermal technology
Description
The Government is exploring a potential game-changer for securing future energy supply.
Up to $60 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund has been ring-fenced for exploring supercritical geothermal technology.
The first $5 million will be used for work in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, to help understand if it's a possibility.
Geothermal wells are drilled to a maximum depth of 3.5 kilometres, but scientists believe by drilling deeper, more energy will be available.
GNS Science lead Dr Isabelle Chambeforte told Ryan Bridge that temperatures reach around 330 degrees maximum in the normal geothermal systems, but by drilling a few kilometres deeper, they’ll be able to access temperatures of around 450 degrees.
She says those temperatures offer a lot more energy per well.
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