re: Ann: MoU signed with Synergy for Mid West... Could this pup...

re: Ann: MoU signed with Synergy for Mid West... Could this pup come back from the dead???
"Renewable technology appetite warms to new entrees
The current suite of renewable technology options that have the capacity to effectively
supplement Western Australia’s energy needs,has recently been expanded with WA’s
largest electricity retailer, Synergy, looking into the viability of geothermal energy.
Synergy General Manager Strategy and Corporate Affairs, Blair Stratton, said it was
important that the business take a proactive approach to examining all options that could
prove a cost-effective investment in the securityof the state’s longer term energy supply at
the same time as reducing emissions intensity.
“We were approached by Green Rock to look at opportunities for geothermal energy from
hot sedimentary water aquifers in the Perth Basin, and we thought this could represent
another renewable technology for Synergy to consider,” he said.
Synergy, energy explorer and producer AWE Australia, and renewables generator Pacific
Hydro have all signalled their support for the project by signing Memoranda of
Understanding with Green Rock or its subsidiary Mid West Geothermal Power, paving the
way to demonstrate the project’s feasibility.
Mr Stratton said that the project was an exciting one and that if the feasibility is proven,
Synergy intends to become the offtake entity for any future energy arrangements.
"This Memorandum of Understanding aligns well with Synergy's ongoing commitment to
exploring emerging energy technologies and tothe private sector to ensure longer term
energy supplies for the state," he said.
“This could then potentially lead to Australia's first grid-connected, geothermal power
station.”
Green Rock Executive Chairman, Richard Beresford, said the backing of these key players
was an essential step in progressing the demonstration project which has the objective of a
geothermal power plant of up to 5 Megawatts.
“Our joint venture with AWE has enabled us todraw on exploration data and their long
drilling experience in the Mid West. We consider that the state is blessed with large
geothermal resources close to the markets that need electricity,” said Mr Beresford.
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The demonstration phase received state government funding from the Low Emissions
Energy Development (LEED) program, and federal government funding was being sought
through the Emerging Renewables Program under the Australian Renewable Energy Agency
(ARENA).
“Geothermal is the only renewable energy technology, currently available, that provides
base load power. If successful, the Green Rockproject will be able to provide constant
power 24 hours a day, making it more reliablethan other renewable energy sources” said
Energy Minister Dr Mike Nahan.
The first phase will see the drilling of a well inthe Dongara area to a depth of approximately
three kilometres in the first half of 2014.
“If we get commercial flow rates we will drill a second well and that should lead to the first
power being generated by the end of 2015,” said Mr Beresford.
“From there, if the demonstration phase proceeds as we hope, we can add significant
capacity on a fully commercial basis to help satisfy the energy requirements of the South
West Interconnected System.”

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