Throughout the world, developed and developing nations are seeking sustainable energy solutions to the growing and complex needs of industry, government and communities of all types. The ultimate energy source would be emission-free, abundant, price-competitive, long-term and able to deliver reliable baseload power.

In September 2007 the Government of Queensland, Australia, made a major investment in the technologies and expertise that aim to realise such an energy solution. Responding to a proposal from The University of Queensland (UQ), the Government committed $(Au)15 million to the Queensland Geothermal Energy Centre of Excellence at UQ, Brisbane, which will have a research and development focus on energy derived from subterranean “hot rocks”. The $15 million is being met by a $3.3 million contribution of expertise and other resources from UQ, making this the largest investment in geothermal energy research in Australia.