Opal Australia Paper – Latrobe Valley Aquaculture Geothermal Heating Study

Summary

Need

In 2019, Opal conducted an aquaculture feasibility study, alongside Mainstream Aquaculture and the Victorian Government, to farm barramundi in the Latrobe Valley. The feasibility study originally proposed that a combination of waste heat from the Maryvale Paper Mill and electric heat pumps could be used maintain the required temperature for the grow out facility. However, since the completion of the feasibility study, the nearby Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centre has been built and is operational using a geothermal heating system. The study will investigate whether a similar geothermal system can be installed for the grow out facility to remove the need for heat pumps. 

Action

The study will deliver the following objectives: 

1. Collect data from online portals (Victorian Geosurvey and Visualising Victoria’s Groundwater) and local agencies within Victoria to understand the geothermal potential of aquifers in the Gippsland region; 
2. Review collected seismic and borehole data and conduct geological assessment of horizons and structures for target depth range of geothermal wells; 
3. Conduct geological modelling using collected aquifer and borehole data; 
4. Conduct reservoir flow modelling to assess required spacing between geothermal wells to prevent temperature breakthroughs; 
5. Design boreholes in accordance with requirements sourced from reservoir flow modelling; 
6. Examine the process engineering for above-ground aspects of the project; 
7. Quantify the capital and operating expenses and carbon emissions reduction associated with the project;  
8. Provide enough detail to enable the study to progress to Front End Engineering Design (FEED); and 
9. Provide Knowledge Sharing by detailing findings and recommendations, including overall feasibility of the studied project with stakeholders and ARENA. 

Outcome

The study will achieve the following Outcomes: 

1. Enable a decision by the Recipient to proceed to a more detailed engineering study (FEED); 
2. Inform industry of the barriers to implementation of the studied Project and potential solutions to these barriers; 
3. Accelerate uptake of similar geothermal systems across industry; and 
4. Enable accelerated transformational improvement in industrial renewable energy and/or energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions compared to baseline or business as usual.