KUTh Energy Limited pulled off a bit of a coup when it announced on Tuesday 23rd Prof Jeff Tester as the first appointment to KEN’s Technical Advisory Board.

Jeff is, of course, the lead author of MIT’s report into “The Future of Geothermal Energy” published earlier this year. KEN’s TAB, chaired by Dr Roger Lewis, will ultimately comprise up to five honorary distinguished experts in geothermal energy exploration and development and will “convene a few times each year to discuss issues pertinent to KUTh and the geothermal industry in Australia.”

There was no official announcement as such, but sometime around Wednesday 10th the preferred tenderers for the Federal Government’s Geothermal Framework and Technology Roadmap project were decided. SKM are the principal consultants for the job, and many of you may have received invitations to register for the first Workshop in Brisbane on Wednesday 7th November.

What may not be apparent, however, is that HDRPL are sub-consultants on the contract and we will play a significant role. I ask that anyone who has received an invitation to the first Workshop please register online at (I think): http://www.vision6.com.au/ch/ctfb19/312189/9a379107y0.html, and have your say in the direction the industry heads in this country over the next few years.

News emerged from the Sunshine State on Thursday 27th of a “nation-leading” Geothermal Centre of Excellence planned for Queensland.

$15m from the Queensland State Government over the next five years, with a further $3.3m from the University of Queensland, is ear-marked to “establish a critical mass of scientific and engineering expertise specialising in geothermal power generation which will help make Queensland a hub for developing this exciting new technology.”

Hmmmm. Me thinks the banana- benders may strike some competition from other states and universities, but $18.3m over five years is a serious commitment!