Clarence Heng, a Principal Engineer at EMA's Emerging Energies Department, spends his days assessing how new low-carbon energy technologies could work in Singapore.

When it comes to geothermal energy, he said two things are essential: high temperatures and sufficient fluid flow. “Traditionally, geothermal energy has relied on natural steam or hot water reservoirs found close to the surface – think geysers and hot springs. These are known as conventional hydrothermal systems, but they are rare and only found in certain parts of the world.”

While Singapore may not have geysers or large enough hot springs, there is, however, an emerging technology that could make geothermal a reality in Singapore.

“Today, we are exploring the potential of deep geothermal systems such as Advanced or Enhanced Geothermal Systems (AGS/EGS) to harness heat from dry, hot rock formations four to five kilometres underground. Unlike traditional geothermal plants, AGS/EGS does not rely on the presence of reservoirs of hot water or steam, opening up new possibilities for generating energy from the ground beneath us,” Clarence said. 

With new technologies emerging, countries like Singapore could potentially harness geothermal energy. But what does that really mean for us – could it happen in our lifetime? Tan Wan Kit, an Analyst from the same department as Clarence, shared that the prospects for geothermal energy being realised here may be greater than we expect.

She shared that Singapore began its geothermal research journey in April last year with a nationwide study to explore the country’s potential for using geothermal energy for power generation. The study has two parts – an aerial survey followed by a land survey – both designed to measure key properties like rock density, magnetic properties and electrical properties of the rocks, providing a clearer picture of what lies beneath.

“The aerial survey, which measures the gravity and magnetic properties of the rocks, has completed. The land surveys are currently on-going, using non-invasive methods to measure things like resistivity, which tells us about the potential for geothermal energy in different areas. When the surveys are done, the results will help us narrow down the locations with geothermal potential and move on to the next phase of confirming the actual heat source,” she added.

“The systematic approach we are taking now puts us on a clear pathway – if the surveys reveal promising sites, we will be well-placed to move forward with development in the coming years,” Wan Kit elaborated.

Even though Singapore’s exploration of geothermal energy is still in the early stages, there is much cause to be excited when looking at what other countries have achieved.

Clarence recently visited Gerestried in Germany, where he witnessed a closed-loop AGS project under construction. He compared it to a car’s radiator where deep underground pipes circulate the water, which is then heated through contact with the hot rocks beneath. 

“This will be one of the first advanced closed-loop geothermal systems of its kind to be constructed. Projects like this can usually take up to several years to develop, so the idea of geothermal energy plants becoming a reality in our lifetime is certainly not out of the question,” Clarence said.

One of the key challenges for Singapore’s geothermal journey is the availability of land.

“We need spaces that are not only large enough for geothermal energy infrastructure but also fit into the country's land use plans. A possible solution could be to create multiple uses for the same site, utilising the geothermal heat for various applications including electricity generation, heating and cooling systems,” Wan Kit explained.

Another obstacle that stands in the way is cost. Clarence said, “One of the biggest hurdles for deep geothermal energy is the high cost of drilling. To make this viable, we need to research on ways to further lower these costs.”

“Encouragingly, new drilling technologies that could transform the landscape have emerged. Technologies such as plasma drilling and millimetre wave drilling use high-energy beams to break down and even vaporise rock, potentially allowing boreholes to be drilled at higher efficiencies and at lower costs as compared to conventional methods. These innovations suggest that tapping into deep geothermal heat could soon move from a distant goal to a practical reality.”

In addition to land constraints and operational costs, Wan Kit and Clarence also shared about the complexities of having to coordinate with multiple agencies to carry out their work.

“Many people do not realise that harnessing geothermal energy is more than just about drilling holes. Making it happen requires a lot of coordination between different agencies and companies. For example, to get the aerial survey off the ground, we had to work closely with the Republic of Singapore Air Force and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore to plan the flight profiles amid Singapore’s busy airspace,” Clarence said.

Wan Kit shared her experience coordinating the land survey, highlighting the collaboration involved. “We had to work closely with various government agencies to secure approvals for placing instruments in public parks and spaces, while ensuring public safety and biodiversity is protected. Throughout the process, however, I was really encouraged by how helpful and responsive everyone was. It is a complex project with many moving parts, but the potential benefits the study could bring make it worthwhile." 

The thought of seeing new emerging energy technologies become a reality in Singapore excites both Clarence and Wan Kit. This was what first drew them to work at the Emerging Energies Department, and what motivates them daily as they explore the potential of these sources.

And for clean energy such as geothermal energy to truly take off, Clarence and Wan Kit believe public support would be critical. One way for this to happen is to get Singaporeans, young and old alike, excited about geothermal energy. “Learning about geothermal energy can be fun and straightforward – it’s not as dry or technical as people might think,” says Clarence.

For Clarence, geothermal energy is like Vibranium in Black Panther: a powerful natural resource hidden beneath the surface, just waiting to be harnessed. Wan Kit likened it to Zuko from Avatar: The Last Airbender. “Zuko may be outwardly cold and reserved, but he’s actually full of passion and ‘warmth’ on the inside – much like the energy quietly bubbling beneath the earth!”