MEDIA
RELEASE
University
Communications
View RMIT media
releases and
find experts:
rmit.edu.au/newsroom
MELBOURNE
BRUNSWICK
BUNDOORA
FISHERMANS BEND
POINT COOK
HAMILTON
HO CHI MINH CITY
HANOI
Geothermal project to produce clean energy and fresh water
RMIT University researchers are developing new technology to meet two of the
greatest challenges facing Australia today, through an all-in-one geothermal system
that can simultaneously produce clean electricity and drinking water.
The $1.12 million research project, conducted with industry partner Greenearth
Energy, will be officially launched by Victorian Energy and Resources Minister Peter
Batchelor at RMIT’s Bundoora campus today.
Professor Aliakbar Akbarzadeh is leading a team of researchers developing an
innovative system that combines fresh water production with electricity generation
using entirely renewable sources.
“Our research focuses on the development of a dual geothermal system that can
desalinate hydrothermal waters while generating renewable power,” he said.
“While our dam levels may be low, Australia has billions of litres of hot salty water
stored in geothermal reservoirs between two to four kilometres underground.
“With the environmental pressures facing our hot, dry continent, we need to develop
systems that can effectively tap into this vast and under-utilised resource.”
Researchers have seen promising results from a small-scale concept prototype
developed at the Thermo-Fluids Laboratory in RMIT’s School of Aerospace,
Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, which will be on display at the launch.
The three-year project, funded through an Australian Research Council Linkage grant
and Greenearth Energy, will focus on further development of the prototype, and
performance improvement and evaluation of the dual geothermal system.
Greenearth Energy Managing Director, Mark Miller, said the research outcomes, if
successful, would be used to develop commercial systems for a range of applications,
including units capable of producing 0.1MW of electrical power and 75,000L of water
per day, suitable for small and isolated communities off the main electricity grid.
“This project could pave the way for the effective use of suitable hydrothermal
waters, offering export opportunities through the commercial manufacture of small to
medium-scale dual geothermal systems,” Mr Miller said.
Media Opportunity
What: Launch of RMIT and Greenearth Energy Dual Geothermal research project
When: 9.30am – 10.30am, Tuesday, 19 January
Where: RMIT Bundoora East cafeteria, Building 251, Level 2, Plenty Rd, Bundoora
Contact: Liz Tsotra, liz.tsotra@rmit.edu.au or 9925 6000
For interviews: Professor Aliakbar Akbarzadeh, (03) 9925 6079 or 0409 943 394,
Greenearth Energy Managing Director, Mark Miller, (03) 9620 7299.
For general media enquiries: RMIT University Communications, Gosia
Kaszubska, (03) 9925 3176 or 0417 510 735.
19 January, 2010
NEWS 
