SA geothermal explorer Geodynamics commissions Habanero pilot plant at Innamincka SA-FOCUSED hot rocks explorer Geodynamics has started commissioning operations at its long-delayed 1MWe Habanero pilot plant, sending its shares soaring. The plant will be fully commissioned by end April with the trial to run until August, Geodynamics announced today. The commissioning process involves the introduction of hot brine flow from its production well Habanero-4 into the plant to warm-up the brine system and commence generation of steam. The Habanero-1 well will be commissioned as an injection well. A closed loop created between Habanero-4 and Habanero-1 provides hot circulating geothermal brine used to generate the steam powering the Habanero Pilot Plant turbine. "It is a significant achievement in Australian and global geothermal exploration, and importantly, it will be the first Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) derived power in Australia," the company said. Shares were up more than 30 per cent at 10c. The company, which lost the support of major project partner Origin Energy last week, said it is fully funded to complete commissioning and trial activities. It has received approvals from the South Australian, Department for Manufacturing, Innovation, Trade, Resources and Energy with all construction, electrical instrumentation and safety systems installation works at the plant completed. Managing director and CEO Geoff Ward said, "The commissioning of the 1 MWe Habanero Pilot Plant is a long anticipated and major milestone for Geodynamics and our shareholders."