Earths Energy starts scoping study on geothermal for data centres in Australia

Winton, Queensland, Australia (source: flickr/ Chris Fithall, creative commons)

Australian geothermal developer Earths Energy (EE1) has announced the commencement of a scoping study to assess the viability of constructing geothermally powered data centres at its strategically located Queensland projects. This study aims to capitalize on the geothermal resources available at these sites, combined with proximity to major population centres, to support the growing demand for sustainable and cost-effective data centre infrastructure.

The data centre industry is experiencing rapid growth, driven by increasing global data demands and the proliferation of digital services. However, traditional data centres face significant challenges, particularly in managing operational expenses associated with cooling systems, which account for a substantial portion of energy consumption.

Companies like Google, Microsoft, and Meta have already started initiatives towards incorporating geothermal energy into their data centres.

The Company believes that its geothermal wells in Queensland could provide a compelling opportunity to address these challenges by leveraging direct geothermal energy to cool data centres efficiently. Unlike conventional cooling methods that rely on electricity, geothermal cooling uses the Earth’s stable temperatures to maintain ideal conditions for servers, reducing both energy consumption and costs.

The study aims include:

• Evaluating the geological suitability and technical requirements for implementing geothermal cooling at targeted sites;
• Analyzing potential cost savings and return on investment compared to conventional cooling methods;
• Quantifying potential reduction in carbon emissions; and
• Establishing potential data sovereignty advantages at specific sites.

Deliverables will include a comprehensive report detailing the viability, benefits, and strategic value of integrating geothermal cooling into data centre operations.

Earths Energy is actively exploring early-stage discussions with potential partners, including data centre operators and key stakeholders in the cooling technology supply chain. The Company aims to identify collaboration opportunities, joint ventures, or strategic alliances that could accelerate the commercial deployment of geothermal cooling solutions.

Source: Earths Energy via ASX