Geothermal Energy and Heat Flow
The Geothermal Energy and Heat Flow Research Group investigates where and how geothermal energy can be used in Australia and elsewhere around the world.
Our research covers geoscientific exploration, numerical modelling, laboratory techniques, and applied economics. We also develop and apply novel tools and methods to quantify and interpret terrestrial heat flow, applied in fields as diverse as geothermal exploration, glacier studies, and ecosystem monitoring.
News
Contact
For enquiries, please email Dr Graeme Beardsmore - g.beardsmore@unimelb.edu.au
Meet the academics and researchers in the Geothermal Energy and Heat Flow research group.
Academic staff
Graduate researchers
Our Alumni
Research projects
Closed-loop geothermal systems for low-emission alumina production
Conor Murray - murraycj@student.unimelb.edu.au
We are focused on using closed-loop geothermal systems to generate heat for the Bayer process and thus support the production of low-emission alumina. This process requires heat between 150 and 250˚C, presently provided in Australia by the burning of fossil fuels. As a large consumer of heat (around 3% of Australia’s total energy consumption is used in the Bayer process), it is critically important to transition to green alumina production.
Closed-loop geothermal systems operate essentially as a large underground pipe network, through which a working fluid passes to absorb heat via conduction. Above ground, the heat is removed, and the fluid reinjected. As such, the system can be constructed to reliably produce a set of desired output parameters (i.e., temperature, pressure, power) close to industrial sites or other end users.
However, as thermal conduction through rock is a slow process (relative to convection), conductive surface area must be maximised.
As a result, closed-loop systems are designed to be very large, several kilometres deep, with one or multiple long horizontal extensions. Drilling costs can therefore be a significant limiting factor in the viability of Closed-Loop Geothermal systems. Therefore, our work requires a multifaceted analysis, incorporating thermal modelling and economic forecasting of Closed-Loop systems, along with geological investigations into the subsurface of the study area.
3D geological and numerical modelling for geothermal energy in the Gippsland basin
Belay Mino - belay.mino@student.unimelb.edu.au
Our research investigates the geometry, distribution, and volume of geothermal source rocks in the onshore Gippsland Basin and estimates the heat energy stored within the source rocks. Geological and geophysical datasets are integrated in Leapfrog Energy to build detailed 3D geological and hydrogeological models. Temperature-dependent thermal conductivity of subsurface rocks is measured to better understand heat transfer. This information is used in Underworld (UW) software to model the basin’s thermal structure, geothermal gradient, and heat flow. The outcomes will guide the identification of high-potential geothermal targets, supporting reliable and continuous (24/7) green energy development in the Gippsland Basin, Victoria.
CO2 plume geothermal systems for clean energy and storage
Mohammad Fathy - fathy@student.unimelb.edu.au
To help reduce rising CO2 levels, carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) technologies are becoming increasingly important. One promising approach within the geothermal sector is the CO2 plume geothermal (CPG) system. This method offers a dual benefit: it can generate clean energy and store CO2 underground. In a CPG system, CO2 is injected deep below the Earth’s surface. As it travels through hot rock formations, it heats up. The heated CO2 is then brought back to the surface, where it can be used to produce electricity or provide direct thermal energy. In our research, we use a reservoir simulator (tNavigator) to compare energy output from conventional water, geothermal and CPG systems under various geological conditions.
Building Australia’s Geothermal Heat Flow Database
Ehdena Khomami - ehdena.khomami@unimelb.edu.au
We are organising various types of geothermal data along with their detailed metadata to build datasets for the AuScope Data Repository. The goal is to develop an Australian Geothermal Heat Flow Database that is compatible with the Global Heat Flow Database for future integration. This work contributes to scientific research and industry applications by following the FAIR principles, ensuring data is Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable.
Deeply buried pipe energy pile system for building energy supply
Xingwei Lian - xingwei.lian@student.unimelb.edu.au
We are focused on investigating deeply buried pipe energy piles (DBP-EP) to provide a highly efficient building energy supply. DBP-EPs combine the space-saving benefits of traditional energy piles with the high thermal capacity of ground source heat pumps. By extending heat-exchange pipes up to 100 metres underground, this system improves overall heat-exchange capacity while reducing the footprint to save additional drilling costs.
However, in groundwater-rich areas, seepage introduces a dual effect: it eliminates local heat accumulation but causes thermal migration, generating thermal disturbance to downstream piles. Our research uses a 3D thermal-seepage coupled model to investigate this heat transfer behaviour. By determining optimal circulating-medium flow rates under varying seepage velocities, the outcomes will guide the efficient operation of DBP-EP systems, supporting reliable and continuous green energy development for modern buildings.
Multidisciplinary Constraints on the 3D Thermal Structure of Geothermal Systems in the Main Ethiopian Rift
Esubalew Yehualaw Melaku - esubalewyehualaw.melaku.1@student.unimelb.edu.au
Our project investigates the thermal structure of geothermal systems within the Main Ethiopian Rift (MER), with a focus on understanding how crustal temperature variations and magmatic processes control geothermal potential across the rift. The accompanying figure presents a regional-scale view of the thermal architecture of the northern, central, and southern MER, integrating Curie Point Depth (CPD) estimates, crustal heat distribution, and inferred magmatic heat sources.
The MER exhibits a pronounced latitudinal variation in its thermal and structural framework. The Moho discontinuity (dashed red line) shows a systematic deepening from approximately 28 km in the northern MER to about 33 km in the southern MER, reflecting a southward decrease in crustal thinning and lithospheric extension. This variation is consistent with progressive changes in rift maturity and tectono-thermal evolution along strike.
The Curie Point Depth (CPD), represented by the 580°C isotherm (dashed white line), serves as a key proxy for the regional geothermal gradient and subsurface thermal state. The CPD map reveals distinct localized thermal anomalies, with significantly shallow depths of approximately 10 ± 2 km concentrated around active volcanic and geothermal centers such as Tendaho, Aluto, and Abaya. These shallow CPD zones are interpreted as manifestations of elevated crustal temperatures associated with magmatic intrusions and enhanced heat flow. Collectively, these observations highlight the dominant role of magmatic heat input and lithospheric stretching in shaping the heterogeneous geothermal architecture of the MER.
Selected publications
For a full list of publications
Upcoming papers
Mino, B.G., Beardsmore, G., & McLean, M.A. (in review)—Thermal structure and geothermal potential of the onshore Gippsland Basin inferred from 3D conductive heat flow modelling. Geothermics.
Whittaker, J., Hochmuth, K., Wells, A., & Beardsmore, G. (submitted)—Record of mCDW in upper sediments on the Denman Shelf? (Abs.) Proceedings, 12th Scientific Committee for Antarctic Research Open Science Conference, Oslo, Norway, 10–14 August 2026.
Beardsmore, G., Ballesteros, M., Pujol, M., Archer, R., & Poesse, J. 2026—Country update: Australia. Proceedings, World Geothermal Congress, Calgary, Canada, June 8 – 11, 2026. 10pp.
International Heat Flow Commission (IHFC), Beardsmore, G., Chiozzi, P., Dedecek, P., Fuchs, S., Gola, G., Pereira Guimaraes, S., Harris, R., Jiang, G., Lee, Y.l, Liu, S., Lösing, M., Negrete-Aranda, R., Neumann, F., Norden, B., Pazvantoglu, E., Poort, J., Staal, T., Tanaka, A., Wang, Y., & Verdoya, M., 2026—Advancing global standards for geothermal subsurface data: IHFC’s commitment to quality and consistency. (Abs.) Proceedings, World Geothermal Congress, Calgary, Canada, June 8 – 11, 2026. 1pp.
Ussher, G., Falcone, G., Mijnlieff, H, Beardsmore, G., Conti, P., & Lebe, J., 2026— Pragmatic application of UNFC for reporting the maturity of geothermal resources. Proceedings, World Geothermal Congress, Calgary, Canada, June 8 – 11, 2026. 11pp.
Falck, W.E., Correia, V., Falcone, G., Beardsmore, G., & Ussher, G., 2026—UNFC compliant resource assessment of combined production of thermal energy and minerals from geothermal brines (poster). Proceedings, World Geothermal Congress, Calgary, Canada, June 8 – 11, 2026.
Mino, B.G. and Beardsmore, G., 2026—Unlocking geothermal potential in the onshore Gippsland Basin using a 3D geological and thermal modelling approach. Proceedings, World Geothermal Congress, Calgary, Canada, June 8 – 11, 2026. 10pp.
Murray, C. and Beardsmore, G., 2026—Closed-loop geothermal systems for industrial heat–initial case study at Worsley Alumina. Proceedings, World Geothermal Congress, Calgary, Canada, June 8 – 11, 2026. 10pp.
Fathy, M., Beardsmore, G., & Walsh, S.D.C., 2026—Assessing the impact of subsurface uncertainty on CO2-plume geothermal performance. Proceedings, World Geothermal Congress, Calgary, Canada, June 8 – 11, 2026. 12pp.
Whittaker, J., Hochmuth, K., & Beardsmore, G., 2026—Marine heat flow measurements from the Denman-Shackleton Shelf (abs. and poster). Proceedings, Climate and Cryosphere Open Science Conference, Wellington, New Zealand, 9–12 February 2026.
2025
Fathy, M., Haghighi, F. K., Beardsmore, G., & Gharibi, A. (2025). Technological Approaches to Overcoming Geothermal Well Integrity Challenges: A Review of Modern Solutions. Geoenergy Science and Engineering, 214308 (Link).
Yehualaw, E., Beardsmore, G., & Wassihun, S. (2025). Integrated Seismic and Gravity Assessment of Geothermal Potential in the Artu Prospective Area, Afar Depression, Ethiopia. Geological Journal (Link).
Falcone, G., Beardsmore, G., Conti, P., Kastl, S., Mijnlieff, H., Nádor, A., Ussher, G., Brommer, M., Griffiths, C., and Tulsidas, H., 2025—8 Years on: Incremental impact of worldwide implementation of the United Nations Framework Classification for Geothermal Energy Resources. Proceedings, Fiftieth Workshop on Geothermal Reservoir Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California, February 10–12, 2025, 15 pp (Link).
Beardsmore, G., Webster, R., Rismanchi, B., Gjoka, K., Brooke, D., Hall, A., Pujol, M., Bruce, B., and St Hill, S., 2025— Techno-economics of direct use geothermal energy in Gippsland, Australia. Proceedings, Fiftieth Workshop on Geothermal Reservoir Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California, February 10–12, 2025, 17 pp (Link).
Murray, C. and Beardsmore, G., 2025—Closed-loop geothermal systems for industrial process heat in Australia—Evaluation of potential sites. (Abs.) Proceedings, Australasian Exploration Geoscience Conference, 8–11 September 2025, Perth, Australia.
Fathy, M. and Beardsmore, G., 2025— Exploring CO₂ as a potential working fluid for geothermal systems in the North Perth Basin. (Abs.) Proceedings, Australasian Exploration Geoscience Conference, 8–11 September 2025, Perth, Australia.
Mino, B.G. and Beardsmore, G., 2025— Delineating a Geothermal Energy Source in the Onshore Gippsland Basin (Abs.) Proceedings, Australasian Exploration Geoscience Conference, 8–11 September 2025, Perth, Australia.
Beardsmore, G., Fuchs, S., Verdoya, M., Negrete-Aranda, R., Liu, S., & Harris, R., 2025—Global Heat Flow Data Assessment Project: Quality-assured terrestrial heat flow data to support resource exploration (Abs.) Proceedings, Australasian Exploration Geoscience Conference, 8–11 September 2025, Perth, Australia.
Verdoya, M., Beardsmore, G., Fuchs, S., Liu, S., Harris, R., & Negrete-Aranda, R., 2025—The lithospheric heat flow global data assessment project: state of art and developments. IAGA / IASPEI Joint Scientific Meeting 2025, 31 August–5 September 2025, Lisbon, Portugal.
2024
Beardsmore, G. R. (2024). A review of hot sedimentary aquifer geothermal resources in Australia. New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics, 68(3), 378-398 (Link).
Hamlehdar, M., Narsilio, G. A., Makasis, N., Beardsmore, G., & Feitz, A. J. (2024). Performance analysis of hydrogen production systems using hot sedimentary aquifer geothermal resources. Energy Conversion and Management, 322, 119129 (Link).
Yehualaw, E., Haile, T., Mickus, K., Beardsmore, G., & Nigusse, W. (2024). Electrical resistivity and magnetic methods in mapping groundwater on the western margin of the Central Main Ethiopian Rift-A case study in the Belesa area, eastern Lemmo Woreda, Ethiopia. Acta Geodaetica et Geophysica, 59(4), 441-461 (Link).
Hamlehdar, M., Beardsmore, G., & Narsilio, G. A. (2024). Hydrogen production from low-temperature geothermal energy–A review of opportunities, challenges, and mitigating solutions. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 77, 742-768 (Link).
Verdoya, M., Beardsmore, G., & Harris, R. (2024). Advances in heat flow studies and thermal structure of the lithosphere. Tectonophysics, 878, 230316 (Link)