Marco Brenna (left) and Mike Palin, of the University of Otago geology department, with a map indicating Dunedin’s ancient volcanic past. PHOTO: GERARD O’BRIENA team of Dunedin scientists is keen to drill two 500m-deep exploration wells into the 11million-year-old Dunedin Volcano in a hunt for crucial geothermal energy. The scientists hope to drill beneath the veneer of sedimentary rock to monitor any residual heat from the now solidified magma chamber that lies beneath, from the area’s volcanic past. In Dunedin, the main users of heat were the Dunedin Hospital, Otago University and the central business district. Otago University and Dunedin Hospital already used some shared heating, and one possibility was that the new, redeveloped hospital could have some of its heating needs met from geothermal sources.

Source: Otago Daily Times November 23, 2020 15:33 UTC