Earths Energy Limited (Earths Energy or Company) advises it has
commenced an internal scoping study (Study) to explore the potential development
of geothermally powered data centres at the Company’s strategically located
Queensland project. This initiative aligns with the Company’s strategy to leverage
innovative commercialisation opportunities for its geothermal projects.
HIGHLIGHTS
• The Company has commenced a Study of its Queensland projects suitability
for the development of geothermally powered data centres
o Earths Energy’s Queensland tenure near Brisbane and Gold Coast
enhances the commercial attractiveness for data centre operations
• Geothermal powered data centres are currently being developed by Google,
Microsoft and Meta
• Incorporating geothermal power into data centres may include:
o Centres powered directly (and primarily) from geothermal electricity
production
o Direct use geothermal applications to supplement a data centre’s
reliance on an electricity grid
• Geothermal cooling through vapour absorption chillers1 may potentially offer
significant cost reductions and environmental benefits to data centre cooling
o Data centre power is estimated to represent 20% to 38% of a data
centre’s operational expense2
o Direct use geothermal can lower carbon emissions, reduce reliance on
external electricity sources, and improve overall feasibility
• The Company has identified areas of interest within its Queensland project and
will develop and trial its own multi factor model for assessing the feasibility of
geothermal powered data centre development
• Industry experts in both geothermal development and data centre
development will assist the Company in the Study
Josh Puckridge, Earths Energy CEO, commented:
“Incorporating geothermal energy sources into data centre designs and operations
has become popular with global leaders like Google, Microsoft and Meta who are
each developing large scale new data centres incorporating geothermal energy.
Geothermal power sources offer the potential for reliable 24/7 baseload power to
data centres regardless of the status of the local grid. This power independence
provided by geothermal resources is an important aspect of data centres achieving
data sovereignty, a significant strategic priority in developing modern data centres.
The data centre market itself has also never been more buoyant – evident by
Blackstone’s $24 billion purchase of Airtrunk and NextDC’s $750 million raising to
continue expansion plans throughout Asia.”
EE1 COMMENCES DATA CENTRE STUDY TO LEVERAGE QUEENSLAND
Earths Energy is embarking on a scoping study to assess the viability of constructing
geothermally powered data centres at its strategically located Queensland projects.
This study aims to capitalise on the unique 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.
Leading global IT companies Google3, Microsoft4 and Meta5 are developing new
data centres that incorporate geothermal energy, leveraging the benefits of
geothermal energy including being a renewable energy source that can provide 24/7
baseload power.
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.
Potential Benefits of Geothermal Cooling
The benefits of incorporating geothermal power in data centres could provide several
strategic advantages, including:
• Reduced Operational Costs: Direct geothermal cooling minimises the need for
energy-intensive refrigeration systems, significantly lowering electricity usage
and associated costs.
• Enhanced Sustainability: This approach aligns with the Company's
commitment to reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable energy
solutions by decreasing reliance on fossil fuels.
• Improved Reliability and Resilience: Geothermal systems offer a stable,
continuous cooling source, enhancing data centre reliability even during peak
demand periods or external power disruptions.
Study Objectives and Strategic Deliverables
The study aims include:
• Evaluate the geological suitability and technical requirements for
implementing geothermal cooling at targeted sites.
• Analyse potential cost savings and return on investment compared to
conventional cooling methods.
• Quantify potential reduction in carbon emissions.
• Establish 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.
Exploring Partnerships and Joint Ventures
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.
The Company believes this initiative has the potential to set a new standard for
sustainable data centre development in Australia and beyond.
