Australian first technology drilling its way to Toowoomba

New business to the region, Geothermal Industries will demonstrate an Australian first in drilling technology in Toowoomba this week.

The specialist drilling company will drill five 100m geothermal bore holes and use patented turbo pipe design, imported from Sweden, at the future site of their new commercial office in Toowoomba to create a geothermal system, prior to commencement of the facility’s construction in May this year.

This geothermal system sees the turbo pipe design connected creating one continual loop and by filling the pipes with normal tap water and using natural ground energy the system allows for commercial spaces to have more efficient heating and cooling capabilities.

The bore holes will be drilled with a new drill rig and drilling methods from Sweden, designed in part by Geothermal Industries, which make installing the geothermal system more affordable.

Geothermal Industries Managing Director Nigel de Veth said he was excited to be bringing this technology to the region.

“Using this new drilling technology to create a geothermal system allows a building to obtain all of its hot water, under floor slab heating, air heating and cooling from natural ground energy sources,” Mr de Veth said.

“This new system allows us to decrease electricity consumption by 70 per cent in winter and 50 per cent in summer.”

Once the bore hole is complete and the turbo Pipe design installed, a custom built cement grouting unit seals the hole which allows contact from the earth to the turbo pipe design.

Once the construction of the building is complete, interested customers will be able to see the system working through an array of temperature sensors, pressure sensors and energy draw graphs on a screen in the reception area.

The geothermal system itself has been designed by Sydney-based GeoExchange Australia, the nation’s leading supplier and proponent of the technology.

Geothermal Industries have partnered with GeoExchange Australia to bring a new dimension to the drilling processes that are such an integral part of the efficiencies of the technology.

Geothermal Industries are Platinum Level Members with economic development organisation Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise (TSBE).

TSBE CEO Dr Ben Lyons said “seeing new industry, technology and innovations come to the region is always a positive with Geothermal Industries representing a great good news story for Toowoomba.”