Research Spotlight

Geothermal Energy

The Department of Infrastructure Engineering’s geotechnical research group are conducting a geothermal energy experiment, heating and cooling a site on location at the Parkville campus of the University of Melbourne. Numerical models of geothermal systems are also being developed by the group.

Energy use in buildings accounts for about one quarter of Australia’s greenhouse emissions, and over half of this is for heating and cooling. Ground source heat pumps (GSHPs) use the Earth as a heat source or sink to heat and cool buildings using considerably less electricity than conventional systems. By reducing electricity demand, GSHPs systems have the potential to significantly cut Australia's electricity use and carbon footprint.