Using dark fibre to track geothermal energy offers network providers an opportunity to monetise their assets

Dark fibres, originally deployed for telecoms networks, have emerged as important infrastructure for earth monitoring, earthquake detection and, more recently, for tracking geothermal energy. Geothermal energy will be a crucial long-term clean energy source for countries with geothermal resources because it reduces reliance on polluting fossil fuels and imported energy. By retrofitting dark fibre networks with distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) technology, researchers can significantly expand seismic monitoring capabilities beyond the reach of traditional seismometers and at a fraction of the cost. This innovative approach not only enhances climate research to detect and study seismic activity but also addresses a major challenge in geothermal energy development: the lack of comprehensive data for mapping and identifying areas with heat potential.

This article explores new market opportunities for network infrastructure providers to monetise corridors of unused fibre cables to drive cost-effective techniques for renewable energy exploration and earth monitoring.