In November 2005 Primary Industries and Resources South Australia (PIRSA) was invited by the geothermal sector to be the Contracting Party for Australia's membership in the International Energy Agency's Geothermal Implementing Agreement (external site) (IEA-GIA). PIRSA's Director of Petroleum and Geothermal (Barry Goldstein) was elected by the Australian geothermal sector as Australia's Executive Committee representative to IEA-GIA.
PIRSA also acts as the Secretariat for the Australian Geothermal Energy Group (AGEG), formed in 2006 to provide financial and intellectual support for Australia's membership in the IEA-GIA. Members of AGEG include representatives from:
The members of the AGEG have a common interest in sharing information to commercialise Australia’s geothermal resources at maximum pace and minimum cost in Australia’s competitive energy markets.
The preparation of Australia's 2006 Annual Report (pdf) on geothermal energy to the IEA is a key secretariat responsibility.
AGEG's Vision
Geothermal resources to provide the lowest cost emissions-free renewable base load energy for centuries to come.
AGEG's Terms of Reference
Provide support for Australia's membership in the IEA's Geothermal Implementing Agreement (GIA) and facilitate engagement with the internal geothermal community.
Foster the commercialisation of Australia's geothermal energy resources. Collectively:
Technical Interest Groups
Ten Technical Interest Groups (TIGs) have been established with the purpose of sharing information and industry-wide learning with maximum effect and efficiency. Details on each TIG is available on the Technical Interest Groups page. This contains information such as TIG leaders and contact details, specific group purposes and objectives as well as workshop presentation slides for each interest group.