NTU Researchers to Widen Search for Geothermal Sources in S'pore

Next phase includes deploying sensors in Punggol Park, Ang Mo Kio and Chinatown

- Zachary Lim

The search for geothermal energy in Singapore is hotting up, as researchers from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) are set to expand their search for underground heat reservoirs across the island.

Progressing to the second phase of their study, researchers will be burying another 80 seismic sensors underground, spanning the north-east and south of Singapore.

This comes after the team's breakthrough discovery of a highly fractured and shallow geothermal reservoir south-east of Sembawang Hot Spring Park in 2024.

Geothermal energy refers to heat derived from the earth's core, which is estimated to be 2,900km below the surface.

In the first phase, 80 sensors were buried about 20m beneath the ground in Sembawang and Yishun between May 2023 and September 2023, and they were recovered after 50 days for data extraction.

The vibrations recorded by the sensors were used to map out a 3D scan of structures underground.

According to Associate Professor Tong Ping, lead investigator of the study, the team will begin the next phase by the end of 2025, deploying sensors from the north-eastern Punggol Park, down to Ang Mo Kio, Tanjong Pagar and Chinatown, and towards the south, where Bukit Merah lies.