Geothermal Energy and the Role of the Geotechnical Professional

Craig Butterworth

Low entropy geothermal energy is an established renewable source of energy and has seen significant growth in Europe and USA, but limited uptake in Australia. With easy access to shallow groundwater and relatively easy drilling within the Perth region the use of shallow geothermal energy is considered by the author to be a viable technology in WA for public, commercial and residential developments. The design of shallow ground source energy schemes involves disciplines not normally associated with engineering services associated with heating and cooling, such as geology and hydrogeology. In addition, the cost and risk associated with the sub-structure component of ground energy schemes are normally significant and can make or break the adoption of the technology. This talk is intended as an introduction to shallow ground energy from a geotechnical engineer’s perspective and the role that the geotechnical industry could play in the development of this renewable energy initiative.

Speaker

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